If someone’s negligence caused your scaphoid fracture of the wrist, you may have a case.
The scaphoid is one of the smallest bones in the wrist. It is the wrist bone that is most likely to fracture.
The scaphoid is found near the thumb side of your wrist. It is located where your wrist bends.
Cause of Scaphoid Fractures in Accident Cases
The most common cause of a scaphoid fracture is when you fall on an outstretched hand, and you weight pushes on your palm. If you have this type of fall, you may also fracture your bigger forearm bone, which is called the radius.
Scaphoid fractures can also happen during car accidents.
Pain Associated with a Scaphoid Fracture
Scaphoid fractures generally cause pain and swelling at the bottom of your thumb. The pain can be very intense if you move your wrist or thumb, or if you attempt to hold something.
If you have pain in your wrist and it doesn’t go away within 24 hours of your accident, you may have a fracture. You should go to your doctor if the pain continues.
If you go to a doctor, this will help document that you had pain in your scaphoid. This will help defeat the insurance company’s argument that your scaphoid fracture wasn’t caused by the accident.
X-rays and MRI
X-rays can show if your scaphoid bone is broken. It can also show if there is a gap (displacement) between your broken bone.
All things equal, displaced scaphoid fractures are worth more than if your scaphoid bone isn’t displaced.
If an x-ray shows a broken scaphoid, request the x-ray from the doctor or hospital. Quickly send it to the insurance company who insures the liable party.
An orthopedic doctor may put your wrist in a splint for a 1 or 2 weeks. If they do, be sure to take pictures of your wrist in the splint.
Take at least one photo that includes both your face the splint.
Don’t do heavy lifting
Don’t do any heavy lifting if you are wearing a splint. Otherwise, the claims adjuster may argue that you worsened your scaphoid fracture by doing heavy lifting.
The insurance company may argue that they aren’t liable for the aggravated injury due to your heavy lifting.
MRI
An MRI scan may show a scaphoid fracture. If the MRI shows a fracture, request the MRI scan from the medical provider.
Then, send it to the insurance company for the responsible party.
Nonsurgical Medical Care
The doctor will treat your scaphoid fracture according to where the break is in the bone.
Fracture near the Thumb
A scaphoid fracture that is near the thumb generally heals in a few weeks if you are protecting your wrist. There is an adequate blood supply in this area of the scaphoid bone.
A good supply of blood is required for the healing process. The orthopedic doctor will put your hand and arm in a cast.
Take a picture of your arm and hand in the cast. Be sure to include a photo of your face in the picture. Quickly send the photo the claims adjuster.
Scaphoid Fracture Close to your Forearm
If you broke your scaphoid closer to the middle of the bone or near your forearm, the healing is tougher. These parts of the scaphoid have a bad blood supply.
Thus, your fracture may take longer to heal. This increases the full value of the case.
Surgery
If your scaphoid is fracture in the middle of the bone or closer to your forearm, the doctor may suggest surgery.
The doctor will insert metal implants such as screws and wires. These will hold the scaphoid together until it completely heals.
After the surgery, once the doctor removes the bandage, take photos of the surgical incision. Quickly send this to the insurance company for the careless party.
Effect of Recovery on Case Value
You may need to wear a splint or cast for up to 6 months. The longer that you wear a splint or cast, the higher the full value of your case.
This is because you have a greater loss of enjoyment of life.
Guest Gets $210,000 for Scaphoid Fracture from Fall at Restaurant
See my case where a customer got $210,000 after he had 2 surgeries to his scaphoid fracture of his wrist. He fell from a loose both at a Denny’s restaurant in North Miami Beach, Florida.
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