Injuries to the Wrist | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Although a wrist injury may not seem like it would be a serious injury, the truth is that any injury to the wrist or hand can have overwhelming consequences for the victim. One of the most troubling issues for a victim with an injured wrist is that they may not be able to work at their job while the injury heals. In many cases, the injury could cause permanent impairment and the victim may not be able to return to their profession at all.

Wrist injuries often occur in car accidents or slip and fall injuries. If the accident that caused the injury is the result of another party’s negligence or recklessness, then the victim can pursue for damages for the losses the injury causes them.

 

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Injuries

Fractures and sprains are two common types of painful wrist injuries. Another common cause of wrist injuries is repetitive motion. This is often caused by work duties.

Injured wrists often require extensive physical therapy and in some cases, surgery may be needed. Recovery time is often a long one. There are situations where the damage to the nerve or muscle is permanent. Some of the most common causes of wrist injuries we see here at Shapiro & Appleton include:

  • Slip and falls: When a person slips or falls, their first instinct is to put out their hands to try to catch themselves. Unfortunately, the body weight’s force on the wrist often causes it to fracture, especially if the surface the slip occurs on is a hard one.
  • Vehicle accident: It is not uncommon for a driver’s hand to become pinned between the dashboard and steering wheel upon crash impact. This can cause the bones in the wrist to fracture or be crushed.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: The constant movement of the wrist over and over again, like when a person is keying at the computer or using a mouse, or the type of work done in an industrial assembly line, can put extra pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. This can result in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Who Is Responsible for Your Wrist Injury?

When a wrist injury is caused by another party’s negligence, the victim may be able to collect financial compensation for their medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. But how does a Virginia personal injury attorney prove negligence?

In order to prove negligence, the following elements must be present:

  • The at-fault party owed the victim a duty of care
  • The at-fault party breached that duty
  • As a result of that breach, the victim suffered injuries
  • The victim’s injuries resulted in economic and/or noneconomic losses

For example, if the victim fell because the business owner failed to repair a broken handrail, that could legally be deemed negligence and the owner would be responsible for the victim’s losses.

Contact a Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

A broken or fractured wrist can result from a car accident, slip and fall, or other accident, resulting in a significant impact on the victim’s ability to work. If you have been injured, call a Virginia personal injury attorney from Shapiro & Appleton to find out what type of compensation you may be entitled to.