If ulnar neuropathy has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Ulnar neuropathy is a condition where the ulnar nerve in the arm becomes compressed or irritated, often due to elbow trauma or repetitive strain. Treatment may involve braces, anti-inflammatory medication, and surgery in severe cases.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by ulnar neuropathy, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
In this article
Introduction
Ulnar neuropathy, or ulnar nerve entrapment, is a compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it crosses either the wrist (known as Guyon's canal syndrome) or the elbow (known as cubital tunnel syndrome).
Ulnar neuropathy can also occur in the forearm between the wrist and elbow. The condition can be caused by arm injuries, like a blow or fracture, and by is repetitive flexing or stretching.
Am I entitled to make an ulnar neuropathy claim?
If you've been injured or diagnosed with an illness in the last three years and it wasn't your fault, you will be able to claim compensation.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.
Claiming when you're partially at fault
Personal injury claims often involve circumstances where there is some degree of blame on each side.
We found that, in our 2023 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents were unsure as to which party was legally liable for their injuries.
Claims are possible even when your actions partially caused the accident. In instances of 'contributory negligence', claims are usually settled with a split liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How much compensation can I claim for ulnar neuropathy?
The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:
- the seriousness of your injury, and
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred.
At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.
Ulnar neuropathy
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General damages
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).
Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Special damages
Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your ulnar neuropathy or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.
Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include splinting, pain medication, surgery and physiotherapy.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
Average ulnar neuropathy general damages compensation
The following ulnar neuropathy payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Sixteenth Edition by the Judicial College.
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).
| Injury | Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow injury | |||
| Elbow injury | Less serious | No significant long-term problems | Up to £11,450 |
| Elbow injury | Moderate | Some long-term problems | £14,230 to £29,100 |
| Elbow injury | Serious | Severe and disabling injury | £35,610 to £49,850 |
Claiming compensation for ulnar neuropathy
You may be able to claim compensation for ulnar neuropathy if your condition relates to an arm injury caused by another person or organisation's negligence.
You may also be able to claim if your ulnar neuropathy was caused by repetitive tasks at work or by your working conditions.
Read more:
Arm injury compensation claims
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) compensation claims
Diagnosing ulnar neuropathy
Ulnar neuropathy is the second most common type of peripheral nerve entrapment in the upper . As well as pain in the affected area, the earliest symptom is usually numbness and tingling in the fourth and fifth finger, which can be intermittent or continuous. Other recognised symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness in the hand
- Clawing of fourth and fifth finger
- Weakened grasp and coordination
- Wasting of muscles
- Loss of function in a few or all fingers
If have been diagnosed with ulnar neuropathy and want to claim compensation, the first step is to get an independent assessment from a specialist medical professional. This assessment will be arranged by your solicitor.
Not only can a specialist advise on treatment, they can also help identify what caused your ulnar neuropathy, based on questions asked about your work role and environment.
Who is liable for my ulnar neuropathy condition?
If ulnar neuropathy occurred (whether cubital tunnel syndrome or Guyon's canal syndrome), and was identified as being likely caused at work, your employer would be liable if their actions or inactions were deemed negligent.
Under the Health and Safety etc. Act 1974, employers are legally bound to provide a safe working environment. This includes a requirement to carry out a full workplace assessment to identify risks and to put measures in place to avoid or minimise them. Negligence would result from failure in any of these respects.
For ulnar neuropathy, identified risks include:
- Lifting and manual handling
- Continual gripping or twisting
- Using a computer (including resting on elbows and using a mouse)
- Pulling levers
- Frequent reaching
Recognised measures to control them could be setting time limits on use or offering adequate training on best practice lifting and reaching techniques.
Industries which have been involved in compensation claims for ulnar neuropathy include: construction; carpentry; manufacturing; warehouses; transport; IT and administration.
What evidence do I need to make an ulnar neuropathy claim?
In order to successfully prove negligence and liability, your solicitor will gather medical and other evidence, including:
- Medical reports showing symptoms, prognosis and likely cause
- An employer's health and safety records
- Any witnesses to the injury or related procedures
Unfortunately, establishing a clear cause for ulnar neuropathy can be difficult. This can make a claim more complex, but your solicitor can advise on the best way to tackle this.
How ulnar neuropathy compensation can help
On top of the medical expenses, which can include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs or even surgery, the symptoms of ulnar neuropathy can make work, and life, much more difficult.
Due to the physical discomfort and limitations, certain activities can become a real strain and doctors will often advise refraining from them until the condition improves.
You may have to take time off work, as well as learn new processes which do not irritate the symptoms.
Compensation can help ease both the physical, psychological and financial strain when managing ulnar neuropathy symptoms.
How did your injury happen?
The process for an ulnar neuropathy claim depends the circumstances of the accident. To learn more, click the icons below:
FAQs
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No win, no fee ulnar neuropathy compensation claims
With no win, no fee, you can claim ulnar neuropathy compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
How we can help you with your injury claim
Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.
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Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Legal Services. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.