We can claim compensation for employees who have injured a hip at work. We can also claim if you have hurt your hip in a shop or public place. Catherine Smith has experience in claiming compensation for hip pain. She introduces our no win no fee service in this video.

Read more about hip injuries below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us can I claim compensation if I have injured my hip in a supermarket?

Hip Injury Compensation Claims

While it is generally believed that hip injuries solely affect older people, a significant proportion of the 300,000 a year hip injuries reported in the UK involve younger people and originate in an accident at work. The hip forms the joint between the thigh bone and pelvis, which are locked together in a ball and socket bone structure. Given its secure physical arrangement the hip is relatively difficult to damage, with a significant amount to trauma being required to cause a hip fracture or dislocation. Where such injuries occur they are always highly painful and can result in almost total immobility for the injured person. The pelvis controls movement in the legs generally and essential actions such as bending, standing and sitting. Serious hip injuries often involve a lengthy healing process, a period of incapacity, and many months off work.

Types Of Hip Injury

The most common types of hip injury are the strains and sprains sustained by the muscles, tendons and ligaments that surround and support the joint. More seriously, conditions in these soft tissues, such as Tendonitis and Bursitis may develop. The hip bone can also become fractured or dislocated following a sudden heavy impact. In these cases the injured person will require at the very least a plaster cast and sometimes surgery. Where surgery is involved the potential for additional complications to develop in the present or future, such as osteoarthritis, is significant. The most serious type of hip injury is the multiple or compound fracture, from a crush injury for example, which requires a full hip replacement operation. In such cases the potential recovery time depends mainly on whether or not the nerves, blood vessels and organs that surround the hip have become damaged. Where this has occurred the medical consequences can be particularly severe, including impairment of bodily functions, infertility, paralysis and loss of limbs.

Find Out More About: Claiming Compensation For A Broken Pelvis

Compensation For A Hip Injury From A Supermarket Or Public Premises

Commercials premises such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotels owe a duty of care to their visitors under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957. They must take all reasonable measures to reduce the risk of accidents on their premises and injuries to their visitors to the lowest possible level. Where they negligently fail in this respect, they may be liable to pay compensation to an injured person. Typical accidents include slips, trips and falls, on wet floors and uneven surfaces for example. In supermarkets, dairy products may be spilt and not cleared up sufficiently quickly, or product packaging materials may be discarded in aisles creating a tripping hazard. Store car parks and entrances can become particularly dangerous for visitors in freezing conditions. Commercial premises must store adequate supplies of salt or grit with this in mind, and must use it promptly, and in sufficient quantities when conditions become treacherous. Broken bones are common when a person falls heavily, or at an awkward angle. Where the blame for the injury lies with the occupier, owner, or a member of their staff, compensation may be claimed under the terms of their compulsory public liability insurance policy. Claims also have the added benefit of driving up standards, and preventing similar accidents occurring in the future.

Find Out More About: Supermarket Accidents

Hip Injuries From Work

Hip injuries at work often result from slip and trip accidents that lead to a fall and heavy trauma to the joint. This may be caused by wet and slippery floors or from obstacles being left in potentially dangerous positions. A large number of work related hip fractures occur on constructions sites, and involve heavy falls from height. This may be from a ladder, scaffold or piece of machinery. Where work vehicles collide with workers the pelvis often bears the brunt of any impact. The crush injuries that can result are among the most severe forms of hip injury. Employers have a duty to ensure that workers observe health and safety regulations, and also that the workplace is kept clean and free from obstructions which may cause accidents. Employers must ensure that machinery and tools are suitable for the job required, and adequately maintained. Failure to provide this kind of protection to workers may leave the employer liable to a hip injury compensation claim for third party negligence.

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How Much Can I Claim For A Hip Injury?

The consequences of a hip or pelvis injury can be so devastating that compensation awards may equal those for a leg amputation. Otherwise the upper limit is generally in the region of £42,000. Severe injuries may involve extensive fractures, problems with the lower back joint, a ruptured bladder, and a host of residual difficulties. Compensation in these cases will range from £50,000 to £83,500. Where injuries are only slightly less severe, with ongoing serious ancillary consequences, awards will be between £39,500 and £50,000. Many injuries will attract awards between £25,000 and £33,500 where instability in the hip persists and hip replacement is a reality or a likelihood in the future. Moderate hip injuries will be significant, but do not result in any major permanent disability, and future risks are not great. Compensation awards in this category will range between £17,000 and £25,000. Less severe injuries will attract awards between £8,000 and £17,000, where hip replacement may have been involved, but surgery will have been wholly successful. Lesser injuries where there is little or no residual disability will lead to awards between £2,500 and £8,000. Awards of below £2,500 will reflect minor injuries where a complete recovery has been made.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of hip injury compensation claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case you keep 100% of damages awarded, and if you lose you do not pay a penny.