Compensation for a delay in diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture

Daniel Bonner, specialist clinical negligence lawyer acting for the claimant successfully obtained an out of court settlement of £120,000 to compensate the claimant for their pain and suffering and financial losses following a delayed diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture.

The claimant, aged 29, slipped down the stairs at home onto his dominant right hand on 15 November 2020. He attended Queen Mary’s Hospital and was noted to have swelling, pain and reduced movement in the wrist. He had an x-ray which incorrectly reported that there was no fracture. The claimant was then discharged home with safety netting advice.

The claimant saw his GP on 29 December 2020 and was noted to have a significantly reduced grip and strength in his right wrist. He was referred for a repeat x-ray of the right wrist. The Claimant had an x-ray of his right wrist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 11 January 2021, which showed an ununited transverse fracture of the scaphoid bone.

The Claimant was seen in the Trauma clinic on 29 January 2021 and was listed for an open reduction internal fixation and a possible bone graft. The claimant underwent an open reduction internal fixation on 17 May 2021. As part of the operation, the scaphoid bone was repaired with a screw and a bone graft was taken from his hip.

Following surgery, he was given a splint with thumb support for six weeks and post-operative x-rays recorded that the fracture united nicely. As a result of the delay in undergoing surgery the claimant had reduced grip, movement, flexibility and stiffness in his wrist. He was unable to do weight lifting at the gym or continue playing table tennis semi-professionally. The claimant was also left with an unsightly scar on hip.

Liability admissions were obtained from the Trust who admitted that there was a failure to report a scaphoid fracture on the x-ray of the right hand/wrist on 15 November 2020 and refer the claimant for urgent surgery.

Following receipt of specialist expert evidence from an Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon, a negotiated settlement was achieved for £120,000.

Daniel Bonner specialises in medical negligence orthopaedic cases.  If you would like to ask Daniel a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any personal injury, contact Daniel Bonner at Thomson Snell & Passmore on 01892 701376 in confidence. We act on a no win no fee basis for the major of cases.