Hip fractures and surgical negligence: can I make a claim?

According to UK government data, a staggering 67,302 hip fractures occur every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's a serious and costly injury that can severely impact the life of the sufferer. If you suffer a hip fracture, you may require medical treatment, such as hip surgery. As well as hip fractures, there is a range of other hip injuries that might require medical attention.

While most people will benefit from the treatment they receive, unfortunately, problems can occur. Medical negligence when receiving treatment for hip fractures and other injuries can lead to even more pain as well as difficulties managing everyday life. In some cases, it may be possible to make a claim to help you rebuild your life and a law firm such as Wake Smith can provide confidential advice and guidance.

This short guide looks at what you can do if you believe you have been a victim of medical negligence while receiving treatment for a hip injury.

How can negligence occur with hip fractures

Treatment for hip fractures and other hip injuries can lead to medical negligence in a variety of ways. Missed or misdiagnosed hip fractures can lead to further problems for the individual. It might result in more pain and ultimately more complicated treatment is then required. The fracture might be incorrectly located, or only part of a hip fracture might be identified. In some cases, it may take time and persistence for someone to receive a correct diagnosis, causing distress and discomfort for an unnecessary period of time.

As well as hip fractures being caused when someone has an accident, poor treatment for other hip conditions can, in some instances, lead to a hip fracture. What was a relatively minor condition can become much more serious as a result of medical negligence.

If an existing hip fracture is not repaired correctly, it can lead to further pain and more invasive treatment. When this is a result of negligence on the part of the medical team, you may be able to make a claim for medical negligence.

To discuss your claim, you can contact our expert team here.

What are the most common complications following a hip fracture?

There is a range of potential complications following a hip fracture. Muscle loss, or atrophy, is a significant risk. When elderly people undergo surgery to correct their hip fracture, the delayed rehabilitation time and prolonged immobility may lead to further muscle loss.

Hip fracture surgery can sometimes lead to infection, which might require further treatment and, in some cases, further surgery. Deep vein thrombosis, where a blood clot forms as a result of reduced movement, is also a risk. If someone is unable to move for an extended period, they may be at risk of pressure ulcers.

In some cases, incorrect hip fracture surgery may mean that the individual requires complete hip replacement surgery.

You can find out more about common hospital negligence cases in our advice centre.

How much can I claim for a hip fracture?

There are two elements to any hip fracture clinical negligence compensation; general damages and special damages. General damages are the injury or illness itself and the extent of the pain and harm to your health that it has led to. Special damages are the costs and losses that are incurred as a result of the illness or injury and future losses. For general damages, the more serious the injury the higher the compensation pay-out.

The total pay-out for special damages will vary from case to case. They may cover the costs of medical appointments, travel for treatment, how long it takes to recover, any costs incurred converting your home, the future costs of hiring carers, rehabilitation and therapy.

How can a medical negligence solicitor help me?

Medical negligence solicitors understand what you're going through and can help you achieve the hip injury compensation you deserve. They will assess the strength of your claim, and advise how much you might be able to receive should your personal injury claim be successful. They also help you access specialist support and rehabilitation services to speed up your recovery.

You can find out more about the medical and surgical negligence cases we cover here.

How can I make a surgical error claim?

The success of any claim you make will depend on the strength of the evidence that you provide. You should contact a medical negligence solicitor as early in the process as possible, and they will advise you about what you need to prepare. There is a time limit from the time the negligence occurred to your claim being made.

You can find out more about surgical error claims here.

Keeping a diary of the daily impact of the injury can be helpful, how it limits your life and the extent of the discomfort you're experiencing. You should also include the details of any care you've received from friends or family.

Also, keep receipts for any expenses incurred, such as travel expenses to get to medical appointments, as well as the costs of equipment needed to help you live your life and the loss of earnings from taking time off work. All of these factors will help you build your hip injury claim.

How Wake Smith can help

Our team of medical negligence solicitors at Wake Smith are highly experienced when it comes to getting results for our clients. We understand that suffering medical malpractice is traumatic and can leave you feeling highly vulnerable. Our dedicated team provides confidential advice and support, as well as representation for people making a medical negligence claim.

If you've suffered from medical negligence as a result of treatment for a fractured hip, then we can assess the strength of your claim. If you decide to proceed, we can help you receive the maximum amount for your compensation claim to help you meet your immediate needs and rebuild your life.

In most instances, cases will not require you to go to court, but when they do, we will support you through the process.

To find out more, call 0114 266 6660 or email [email protected] today.

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