Hip Fracture Compensation

Hip Fracture Compensation

If a hip fracture has been misdiagnosed or negligently treated, you may be able to make a compensation claim.

What is a hip fracture?

A hip fracture is a break in the top of the thigh bone, close to the hip joint. If injured, it can have a significant impact on a patient’s mobility and independence.

A hip fracture is commonly sustained when a patient has suffered a fall or other injury to the side of the hip. They are very often suffered by elderly or more frail patients, who tend to be more susceptible to falling, or patients who have osteoporosis or cancer and have weakened bones.

How is a hip fracture diagnosed and treated?

Symptoms of a hip fracture include:

• Pain and tenderness
• Swelling and bruising
• Reduced movement in the leg
• An inability to weight bear on the leg
• Visible deformity, including the leg turning outwards

If a hip fracture is suspected, a full history should be taken, to include details such as a description of your symptoms, how the injury occurred, and any relevant past medical history. An examination may also be performed of the leg and hip joint.

X-rays are usually helpful in diagnosing the fracture. A CT or MRI scan may also be performed.

Once diagnosed, surgery is usually undertaken to fix the bone in the correct place. In more severe cases a partial or complete hip replacement may be required. Due to the effect surgery can have on a patient’s mobility, they are at an increased risk of developing blood clots and pressure sores following surgery, and should therefore be carefully monitored and observed during recovery.

If surgery is deemed to be inappropriate, conservative treatment involving a long period of bed rest can be advised.

Subsequent rehabilitative treatment is then required, aimed at improving mobility and independence.

What if a hip fracture is misdiagnosed?

Very often, the earlier the diagnosis of a hip fracture is made, the better the outcome for a patient. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have issued guidance that surgery should be undertaken within 48 hours.

A delay in diagnosis can mean that more complicated surgery is required and/or recovery may be prolonged, which is likely to result in greater pain and reduced mobility for a patient, than would have been experienced with earlier diagnosis and treatment. Reduced mobility can result in more severe conditions including the development of blood clots, pressure sores, pneumonia and can even be fatal.

It is therefore extremely important that prompt diagnosis of a hip fracture is made, in order to limit the impact this can have on a patient’s life.

Can you make a compensation claim?

If you think you have suffered due to a misdiagnosed or negligently treated hip fracture, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Please contact us for advice if you feel you may have a hip fracture compensation claim, or have suffered any form of clinical negligence.

It is important to contact us as soon as possible. This is because there are strict time limits in place for making a claim for compensation. Once contacted, our solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case. We even have an in-house dual-qualified doctor/solicitor who can assist in assessing whether or not you may have suffered from clinical negligence.

Why choose us?

• We offer free initial advice and free assistance drafting a letter of complaint.
• We won’t charge you anything upfront, and we work on a No Win, No Fee basis.
• Our specialist team includes a dual-qualified Doctor/Solicitor. 

Why choose Oliver & Co Medical Negligence team? – Read our guide.

You can direct dial our Clinical Negligence Department on 01244 354688 or fill in our contact us form.

Case studies:

Every year we help lots of clients just like you to claim the compensation they deserve. Below is a case study which demonstrates how we have helped a client to claim compensation for a hip fracture in the past. Please be aware that the compensation amounts depend on the client’s individual situation and experiences. To see how much your claim could be worth please contact us directly.

Case study 1: £33,500 in Compensation

• Our client was an elderly lady who suffered a fall at home. At the hospital she underwent an x-ray of her hip and no fracture was reported.
• Over the next two weeks, our client was encouraged to mobilise and undergo physiotherapy, which caused her agonising pain.
• A second x-ray was then performed, which revealed a fractured neck of femur and surgery was performed within 48 hours.
• Sadly, our client was unable to return to her home as the memory of the pain was too significant for her and she refused to mobilise. She was therefore transferred to a Nursing Home for the remainder of her life.

How we helped:

• A claim was brought on behalf of the Estate (as our client sadly passed away during the claim) in respect of the hip fracture.
• The defendant admitted liability and the Estate was awarded £33,500 in compensation.

How can we help you?

Our team is headed by a dual-qualified doctor and solicitor, so we benefit from in-house medical knowledge. Our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors would be happy to help. We can quickly and efficiently assess any areas of potential negligence for a wide range of claims.

We have a wide range of experience in dealing with hip fracture compensation claims (please see case study above.

We have also developed brilliant working relationships with many orthopaedic experts who we know to be approachable and reliable in assisting us with hip fracture compensation claims which allows us to ensure we get great expert advice for our clients.

Want to have a free and confidential chat in relation to a potential hip fracture claim? Give our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors a call on 01244 354688.