Hip Injury Compensation Claims

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Hip Injuries At Work

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.

Typical Causes Of Hip Injuries

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.

Hip Injury Compensation Awards

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.

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