Orthopaedic claims

Some orthopaedic surgeons have a specialism in spinal surgery. Lumbar decompression surgery is a common procedure used to treat compressed nerves in the lower back.

Sadly, if such an operation has a poor outcome, there is potential for a significant injury. Therefore, you may be entitled to a valuable orthopaedic claim that reflects the degree of disability and dependence caused.

Sometimes the result of a missed fracture, surgical error or other orthopaedic negligence has led to an amputation of a limb, meaning individuals become users of prosthetic limbs. For someone in this position, this loss will be devastating. However, modern prosthetics now offer active people a solution and we will ensure that our clients receive the best advice from rehabilitation and prosthetics specialists in coming to a valuation of their claims.

The most common problems that might lead to a successful orthopaedic claim include the failure to diagnose, manage or treat a fracture. A particular complication of a fractured limb is a condition known as compartment syndrome . This surgical emergency can lead to the death of tissue and limb loss. It is a painful and potentially life changing condition.

More complicated problems that might lead to orthopaedic claims might involve:

• Poor management of shoulder injuries
• Misdiagnosed slipped femoral epiphysis (hip condition)
• Poorly managed hip replacements
• Negligent knee operations
• Unnecessary surgery on broken bones
• Mistakes in joint reconstruction
• Trauma during orthopaedic surgery
• Wrong site surgery
• Delay in diagnosis of congenital/development hip dysplasia
• Nerve damage
• Equipment malfunction
• Incorrect size of prothesis
• Lack of consent to surgery

Whether you believe you have a missed fracture claim, received negligent joint reconstruction or trauma during any other muscle or bone surgery, our medical negligence team can help.

First, get in touch for a free initial consultation. One of our expert solicitors will listen to your case, assess whether you have a claim and provide any orthopaedic advice for the next steps if you do.

You can also make a claim for a loved one, such as a child under the age of 18 or someone who has sadly passed away due to orthopaedic negligence. Our lawyers can guide and support you through the process.

To support your claim we will help gather relevant evidence. This can include asking you for any medical and financial records and documents, along with witness statements. This is to verify what treatment you received, assess whether it was the appropriate action and the impact it had on your physical, emotional wellbeing and wider life.

The amount of compensation you can expect to receive will be based on various factors, such as the impact any orthopaedic negligence has on your daily life, ongoing problems it causes and the severity of your condition. It may differ depending on whether you’re claiming for surgical errors, spinal trauma or missed fracture compensation.

Any compensation you receive will aim to cover an array of costs introduced by such clinical negligence. This can be used for:

• Specialist rehabilitation treatment and therapy
• Any care requirements
• Specialist equipment and home adaptations (such as walking sticks, a wheelchair)
• Travel expenses to treatment and therapy appointments
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of earnings (including if you can no longer work)

As children are still growing, we realise the severity of any injuries experienced may not be clear until they stop growing. Our team will work to make sure the compensation covers this and their long term needs.