Missed scaphoid fractures should not happen if proven medical processes are followed correctly. Unfortunately, fracture misdiagnosis remains a common occurrence and injured patients are often discharged, leading to long-term complications.
If you have suffered because of a misdiagnosis, get in touch or call 0191 5666 500 and start your missed scaphoid fracture compensation claim today!
Do you suffer from pain, tenderness or stiffness in your wrist? Is it sometimes swollen? Do you have a reduced grip?
In the majority of missed Scaphoid fractures, the people in pain do not know their problems are being caused by a common complaint. They often think they have a sprained wrist. But unless it is diagnosed quickly, a fracture of the scaphoid can cause damaging long-term effects, including arthritis and lack of mobility.
If you have suffered because of a missed scaphoid fracture, or a fracture misdiagnosis, our medical negligence solicitors may be able to help you claim compensation.
To discuss your concerns, get in touch or call 0191 5666 500 for a free initial consultation. There is no obligation to start a claim and any information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Common missed Scaphoid fracture symptoms
Located in the wrist, near the base of the thumb, the Scaphoid bone often fractures when people fall on to an outstretched hand, usually because the impact forces the hand and wrist back.
Unfortunately, because the bone is inside the joint, Scaphoid fractures are often missed or misdiagnosed as there is no visible injury or lack a tell-tale sign like swelling. That’s why medical professionals are meant to follow the X-ray guidelines which are in place, to prevent more serious difficulties from arising in future.
But the longer a missed scaphoid fracture goes undiagnosed, and without appropriate treatment, the more likely you are to suffer greater damage, possibly on a permanent basis.
Some common missed scaphoid fracture symptoms include:
- Pain when using a backwards or sideways thumb movement
- Pain on the thumb side of the wrist & around the base
- Bruising or discoloration from base of the thumb
- Limited range of motion in the wrist or thumb
- Tenderness over the Scaphoid bone
- Swelling around the wrist area
- Weaker grip than usual
Why would a Scaphoid fracture be missed?
Scaphoid fractures are not hard to diagnose if an X-ray is carried out and correctly assessed, but they can be missed if the correct processes are not followed.
Sometimes when a Scaphoid fracture has occurred, a patient might be mistakenly diagnosed with a sprain. But there are many other reasons why a fracture can be missed.
- Failure to X-Ray wrist at the time of initial presentation
- X-ray not offered as symptoms not typical of a fracture
- Report on X-ray not passed to doctor for further action
- Inexperienced doctor may not request an X-ray
- Radiologist may miss fracture on X-ray
- Incorrect opinion formed after X-ray
- Fracture difficult to see on X-ray
Our approach to Missed Scaphoid Fracture Claims
To successfully make a missed Scaphoid fracture claim, we need to prove the people responsible for your medical care failed to act reasonably when assessing the injury.
By adopting a hand-holding approach, we can compassionately guide you through the process and explain all the available options.
- A free no-obligation case discussion with our expert Solicitors
- Analyse case details and work out if you have a strong claim
- Explain ways to fund case – including No Win, No Fee option
- Gather evidence & ensure case is as strong as possible
- Review medical records, witness statements & medical experts
- Give you the best chance to secure maximum compensation
- Negotiate and try to agree a settlement outside of court
No Win, No Fee Scaphoid Fracture Claims Explained
To provide affordable access to justice, many of the medical negligence cases we handle are funded by a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement.
Also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement or CFA, this means you won’t have to pay a penny if you lose your case. If you win, your opponent will usually need to cover most of your legal costs, though you will need to pay a success fee from the compensation.
If your Missed Scaphoid Fracture Claim is not successful, you won’t pay a penny. In effect, it means we share the risk with you, as we only get paid if you win.
This isn’t the only way to fund a case and all other methods will be explained before you decide whether to pursue a claim.
Arrange a free consultation with our expert Solicitors – call 0191 5666500 today!
Based in Sunderland – trusted across the North East & UK
If you’d like to utilise the experience and expertise of our clinical negligence solicitors, we would love to help gain justice for the unnecessary pain and suffering your injury has caused.
From our head office in central Sunderland (a stone’s throw from the train station), we can quickly travel to anywhere in the North East. We also represent people from across the UK, many of whom have been referred by previously successful clients.
Assess the seriousness of your scaphoid fracture claim and get in touch for a free discussion, either in person or via a telephone conference or video call. You will not be obliged to start a claim and we will treat any information in the strictest confidence.
Missed Scaphoid Fracture FAQs
What is a Scaphoid fracture?
A small bone in the wrist, the Scaphoid is close to the thumb and provides the wrist with vital function and movement. If it is fractured and not treated properly or promptly, it can cause significant and permanent damage.
When someone suffers a scaphoid fracture, they often think they have sprained their wrist. A thorough examination and X-ray is essential to diagnose the issue.
How does a Scaphoid fracture usually occur?
Most Scaphoid fractures happen when someone suffers a fall onto an outstretched hand because the impact of the fall forces the hand backward. It can also occur when playing sport through severe impact on the wrist.
You could fracture your Scaphoid without knowing and might only find out about any damage days or weeks later, usually because your thumb is tender and becomes very difficult to move.
How is a Scaphoid fracture diagnosed?
To correctly diagnose a Scaphoid fracture, details of any symptoms and how the injury occurred need to be taken. A detailed wrist examination should also be performed.
The key area for examination is the indentation on the outside of the hand, between the wrist and thumb when the thumb is outstretched, known by medical professionals as the anatomical snuffbox.
Should there be any inflammation, tenderness, pain or restriction of movement, an X-ray could prove useful to make a diagnosis. Even with an X-ray, it is not uncommon for a Scaphoid fracture to be missed. You may need a CT or MRI scan to help reach a successful diagnosis.
If a fracture is suspected, but not diagnosed, a follow-up appointment should be carried out within the next few weeks. Until then, the wrist should be placed in a plaster or splint as a precautionary measure.
What are the risks of a missed Scaphoid fracture?
The longer you leave a Scaphoid fracture undiagnosed, the more likely it is that a greater injury will occur.
If a missed Scaphoid fracture is not treated promptly, complicated surgery may be required and you could suffer permanent long-term damage.
- Avascular necrosis – where a bone dies due to lack of blood supply
- Bones fail to heal properly (non-union or delayed union)
- Range of motion lost
- Reduced grip
- Osteoarthritis
- Arthritis
Can I make a claim for missed Scaphoid fracture compensation?
To make a successful medical negligence claim for a missed Scaphoid fracture, you need to be able to prove the care you received was not up to the sufficient standards you should expect.
If you believe that a misdiagnosed or negligently treated scaphoid fracture has caused you to suffer unnecessary pain, you may be able to claim compensation. Any settlement would depend on the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on your life.
To analyse the strength of your case, we gather evidence and take into account several factors, such as the time it took your injury to heal and whether further treatment or operations were needed. We also weigh up if you have suffered any financial losses as a result of your injury, perhaps by being unable to work.
How long will a missed Scaphoid fracture claim take?
Every case of medical negligence is different, and there is no definite answer about the length of time it will take to pursue a claim, because we judge each case according to its own merits and the evidence available.
If a case is more complex, our Solicitors will need to do more work and investigations to determine liability and quantify a suitable settlement amount.
Once we start a case, whether it is simple or more complex in nature, we will guide you through the entire process and keep you informed about any developments in as soon as we know anything.
Is there a time limit for starting a Scaphoid fracture claim?
In most cases, you need to make a Scaphoid fracture claim three years from the date when you suffered the injury or from the date of diagnosis.
However, there are exceptions to this rule and we would recommend speaking to one of our Solicitor as soon as possible to avoid any complications.
Should you have any questions about the time limits for making a claim, call 0191 5666500 and chat to our Solicitors in confidence.
Will my case end up going to court?
To avoid the stress of a hearing, we try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement in the majority of missed Scaphoid claims. This can often speed up the process of securing compensation and help to keep your legal costs lower.
In the rare instances where a settlement cannot be agreed and court proceedings are required, we will provide robust representation and personal support to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for you.
Who do I make my claim against?
If you wish to pursue a Scaphoid fracture claim, you do not need to worry about diverting much-needed funds away from the NHS because, under UK law, each Trust is required to have adequate cover in place to pay any claims.
In our experience, most cases are made against the hospital where the initial assessment took place. In some cases, action might be taken against the private medical practitioners responsible for the substandard care.
Should your claim be successful, the compensation would be paid by the NHS Resolution on behalf of the Trust the claim is against.
Whether you received negligent care from the NHS, or a private hospital or healthcare facility; you are still entitled to claim compensation.
