Ruptured Bicep Misdiagnosis
Compensation Claims

If a ruptured bicep injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by clinical negligence, we can help. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, midwife or other medical professional, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

What is a ruptured bicep?

A ruptured bicep, also known as a bicep tendon tear, is when the tendon attaching the bicep muscle to bones in the shoulder or elbow is torn. Often resulting from injury or overuse, a ruptured bicep is characterised by a sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by an audible snap, swelling, bruising, weakness in the arm, and a change in the contour of the bicep muscle (known as a "Popeye muscle").

To restore full function and strength in the arm, treatment may require surgery, especially if there is a complete tear.

Delayed treatment may also lead to the tendon retracting and scarring, making surgical repair more complicated or, in some cases, impossible. This can result in a permanent reduction in arm strength and range of motion, affecting the individual's ability to perform daily activities and potentially impacting their quality of life.

Quick diagnosis is critical

Prompt diagnosis of a ruptured bicep is crucial as delays can lead to tendon retraction and scarring, complicating surgical repair, or even making it unviable. Over time, the bicep will shorten and scar tissue will form, making surgery more complex and less likely to succeed.

Unless the injury is treated quickly, permanent arm strength reduction and decreased range of motion can result, significantly affecting daily activities and quality of life. Therefore, it's essential to refer for medical attention immediately after the injury.

Clinical misdiagnosis is common - you are not alone

If a ruptured bicep is not treated within weeks of injury, it can become very serious. Despite this GPs may misdiagnose this injury and in 2022, 13.8% of GP complaints related to clinical treatment (digital.nhs.uk).

Ruptured bicep injuries are often either misdiagnosed or not promptly referred for specialist treatment.

A GP might underestimate the injury's severity, advising rest or lighter exercise, leading patients to return only when the optimal treatment window has closed.

Another scenario is when a doctor or GP correctly identifies the condition but either forgets to send a letter of referral or doesn't stress the urgency of treatment when doing so.

Solicitors most commonly handle clinical negligence claims for men in their 30's to 50's who have over-exerted themselves in the gym.

If you decide to make a ruptured bicep medical negligence claim, your medical negligence solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you are looking for information on bicep injury symptoms and treatment, see: elbow and arm pain (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for ruptured bicep misdiagnosis?

Compensation for ruptured bicep misdiagnosis is based on:

• how severe your injury is,
• the disruption caused by your injury to your daily life and work,
• any direct financial losses or expenses resulting from your injury.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your ruptured bicep such as corrective surgery, physical therapy and pain medication.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average ruptured bicep medical negligence compensation payouts

The following ruptured bicep medical negligence payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Arm injury

Am I eligible for ruptured bicep medical negligence compensation?

Medical negligence claims differ from personal injury claims. To make a successful claim your solicitor will need to establish:

• the care provided to you was below the acceptable standard, and
• this inadequate care resulted in your harm.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.

How long do I have to make a ruptured bicep negligence claim?

You usually have 3 years to make a ruptured bicep medical negligence claim, from the date you learned you were harmed by the substandard care (the date of knowledge).

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Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard Willis qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.