A guide to orthopaedic injuries

A serious injury can have a life changing and devastating impact on your life.

Claims for serious injuries should only ever be dealt with by specialist solicitors with the necessary qualifications and expertise to deal with the complex issues involved.

At Moore Barlow we specialise in cases involving the most serious and life changing types of orthopaedic injuries. We offer our clients a fully bespoke, personal service. Our highly qualified specialist solicitors have over 30 years of experience in dealing with claims concerning serious injuries. They will ensure not only that you receive appropriate compensation for your injury but that you receive the necessary rehabilitation and treatment you require.

We have in recent years been acknowledged as Personal Injury specialists in the leading directories to include The Legal 500 and Chambers. We are also recognised as a 1st tier Personal Injury firm.

We work all over the UK and we are happy to meet with you at your home, in hospital or an alternative place convenient to you. Over the years we have built up an extensive network of medical professionals to assist with assessing your requirements for care, rehabilitation, housing, aids, equipment, mobility and transport. We also work with the leading barristers in the field.

Our advice will help you to win the right compensation for your injuries and rehabilitation requirements.

Serious orthopaedic injury

Serious orthopaedic injuries can affect bones and joints in a way that they do not completely heal, meaning that you could be left with permanent long-term difficulties. Such an injury could result in you becoming reliant on others.

Serious orthopaedic injuries include:

  • Fractures: most serious orthopaedic injuries involve multiple bone fractures otherwise known as breaks. There are many types of serious fractures which are most commonly caused when there has been a severe trauma to the bone.
  • Ligament injuries: ligaments connect bones to other bones and form joints. The rigid nature of ligaments can cause them to tear and sometimes break if put under heavy stress from the impact of a trauma.
  • Muscle injuries: this occurs when groups of muscle fibres are torn. Serious muscle injuries can be debilitating as after a trauma your ability to use muscles effectively is restricted due to the pain. Often people will suffer with high levels of pain, inflammation and cramping.
  • Tendon injuries: commonly referred to as ruptures. A tendon may rupture as a result of a forceful impact. Once a tendon suffers a rupture it is not likely to regain the extent and efficiency of function it possessed before the trauma.

Orthopaedic injuries can also result in other complications including:

  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Arthritis
  • Psychological symptoms

Orthopaedic injuries can have a life changing and devastating impact on your day to day life, you may lose your ability to carry out simple tasks, continue in your employment and in many circumstances you may not be able to live independently.

Those who have sustained orthopaedic injuries often face challenging times both financially and emotionally. This may extend to family and friends.

Treatment, care and rehabilitation

If you have sustained a serious orthopaedic injury you may require extensive rehabilitation, constant care and adaptations to your home. The aftermath of a serious orthopaedic injury and the recovery can be a long term, even life-long, process.

Over the years we have built solid relationships with medical professionals enabling us to ensure our clients receive all the treatment, care and rehabilitation they require without undue delay.

Orthopaedic injuries are treated in a number of ways, which fall largely into 4 areas:

  • Surgery: can be required in a number of instances from the repair of fractured bones or torn ligaments, to hip and knee replacements (arthroplasty) to key-hole surgery (arthroscopy).
  • Medication: since infection is a risk, and pain can also be excruciating, this treatment is likely to be combined with a course of medication. Once the initial healing process has taken place, the patient can begin the rehabilitation phase.
  • Physiotherapy: making key muscle groups stronger to increase ability and endurance. Physiotherapy can be frustrating, painful and tiring and it is important that the patient receives the right help and support.
  • Occupational therapy: supporting you through processes previously considered normal and every-day, such as bathing.

There are 3 stages of rehabilitation:

  • Acute stage: performing surgery and supporting you to do things you cannot. This is usually carried out in Intensive Care.
  • In-patient rehabilitation: can take place at hospital or in-patient centre, improving functionality, strength and mobility, finding new ways to accomplish daily tasks.
  • Out-patient rehabilitation: you live at home and have sessions at home or in rehabilitation centres. The aim is to maximise your ability to live independently.

It can be difficult for clients to move on from the incident which caused their injury and they can be haunted by memories for a long time. Meanwhile, their injuries might make social activities and other aspects of their former life impossible. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and isolation and should be monitored very closely by the people around them.

We can assist with arranging treatment for these symptoms. Treatment may include psychotherapy and this form of therapy will assist with reducing negative thinking during difficulty and emphasising positive thinking. Another form of therapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which aims to improve your thought processes and encourage a positive outlook for the future.

Amputation

Amputation injury claim

Whether making a claim against an employer who has failed to safeguard your wellbeing, or against the driver of a motor vehicle, we have worked with a large number of clients who have pursued amputation claims.

Early rehabilitation in the aftermath of an amputation can have an extremely positive effect on a clients life and the compensation we win is essential in providing rehabilitation, ongoing treatment and care.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 major limb amputations are carried out in England every year. Many are carried out on people living with diabetes, since the condition causes nerve damage and as a result, a person is less aware of minor injury and wounds which can increase in severity. People living with diabetes are also more prone to suffering from PAD (Peripheral arterial disease).

Types of amputation

Causes of amputation

Complications of amputation

Treatment, care & rehabilitation

After the operation

Prosthesis

Psychological impact of amputation

Brachial plexus injury (BPI)

The brachial plexus is a complex system of nerves which start in the neck and branch out into the shoulders, arms and hands. They are responsible for controlling movement and feeling in the upper limbs.

When the brachial plexus is damaged this functionality can be significantly impaired.

Brachial plexus injury claims

The vast majority of paediatric and adult brachial plexus injury claims are caused by trauma and when this injury is caused by an incident which was not entirely the injured party’s fault, they are entitled to claim compensation.

Over the years, we have worked on a number of successful brachial plexus compensation claims and we understand how life altering these injuries can be; particularly since the causes of these injuries are often so traumatising to begin with.

Causes of brachial plexus injury:

Types of brachial plexus injury

Signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus injury

Brachial plexus – treatments, care & rehabilitation

Brachial plexus injury treatment

Complications of brachial plexus injury

Impact on lifestyle

Rehabilitation for brachial plexus injuries

Helping you now and in the future

We will be with you every step of the way, throughout the legal process and beyond.

Our priority is to maximise your compensation award in the shortest time possible. However we are aware that money alone will not help with the new challenges you will face. Our aim is to enable you to achieve an independent and fulfilling life.

Many people who sustain a serious orthopaedic injury will require support for the rest of their lives. Our aim at Moore Barlow is to enable you to live as independently as possible. We have a wide range of contacts within organisations that can assist you.

These include:

  • Case managers who will assist and organise any support and care you may need
  • Support workers who will visit you on a regular basis to provide you with support and help
  • Community rehabilitation such as neuro physiotherapy and occupational therapy. We will help with the immediate issues you will face in the days and weeks after your accident, as well as assisting with any future legal or other requirements you may have.

Immediate assistance

Short term assistance

Long term assistance

How much compensation will I receive?

If your claim is successful you will be awarded compensation. The aim of compensation is not only to compensate you for your injuries but to also put you in the same financial position you would have been if your accident had not occurred.

Our priority is to maximise your compensation award in the shortest time as possible time. However we are aware that money alone will not help with the new challenges you will face. Our aim is to enable you to achieve an independent and fulfilling life.

Compensation falls into two categories

1. General damages – injury compensation:

Special damages – your financial losses

These are just a few examples. When you start a claim for personal injury it is a good idea to keep hold of any receipts or invoices for items purchased as a result of your injuries.

It is also a good idea to keep a diary with details of any care provided by a friend or family member.

Legal costs

Many clients have concerns about how their claim will be funded. At the outset of your claim we will discuss the various methods of funding with you and agree a method of funding that does not expose you to any financial risk or worry.

There are a number of alternatives available to you and we can advise you as to which would be the best option to fund your claim.

  • Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs): You may have heard of these referred to as “No Win, No Fee” agreements, and they are used to fund the majority of personal injury claims. If we are successful on your behalf, the majority of your costs will be paid for by our opponents. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for anything.
  • Legal Expenses Insurance: You may have legal expenses insurance attached to your home and contents insurance or another type of insurance policy. The policy may provide cover to enable you to pursue a claim for personal injury. We will be happy to check your insurance policies for you to see whether you have suitable legal expenses insurance.
  • Privately Paying: If we feel unable to offer a CFA on day one as the merits of your case are unclear, we may offer a privately paying arrangement to include a fixed fee retainer. This will be limited to carrying out an initial investigation before offering you an alternative method of funding. In the vast majority of cases we are happy to offer a CFA from the outset.
  • Trade Union: Trade Union members can in some instances obtain help with legal costs.

When should I contact a solicitor?

You or a family member should contact us as soon as possible. We can guide you through the initial process and provide you with advice as to whether you have a claim. It is important that you contact an experienced specialist solicitor to receive the best legal advice.

Our immediate aim will be to arrange rehabilitation for you and to start work on the initial stages of your case. In addition we can advise you on your benefit rights, liaise with the police to keep you up to date with any criminal prosecutions arising from the incident and also advise you on dealing with debts that may arise due to being off work.

If you are unsure whether you have a claim or you are unsure whether the incident was your fault, or partly your fault, then contact us and one of our expert solicitors will be happy to discuss your case with you. Even if you have been told by another firm of solicitors that you do not have a claim, we would be happy to give you a second opinion free of charge.

If you have already appointed another solicitor but are not happy with the level of service that you are being provided, the way your case is being handled or the amount of compensation that has been obtained on your behalf, please contact our expert team today.

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