Claiming Compensation For A Hip Injury

Though the hip is one of the most robust parts of the body, due to its ball and socket structure, any injury in this area will invariably be extremely painful, restrictive and may result in long-term complications. Over a quarter of a million hip injuries are recorded in Britain every year, many the result of sports and vehicle accidents. A significant percentage of these injuries are caused by accidents in the workplace, and by slips and falls in public places. Hip injuries disproportionately affect the over-65 age group, as over time the strength of the bones deteriorates, making older people more susceptible to fractures and dislocations following a fall or blunt impact. Serious hip injuries beyond bruising, strains and sprains are likely to require hospital treatment, a length period of immobility and extensive physiotherapy. In the most severe cases hip replacement surgery may be required, and permanent physical restrictions and complications may result.

In the workplace, hip injuries are most commonly caused by slips on wet and greasy surfaces and by trips over materials discarded on floors. Other accidents at work which may cause damage to the hips include falls from heights, for example from scaffolding or ladders, and workers being struck by heavy items falling from height. Hip injuries are also caused by physical contact with heavy vehicles, especially in confined working environments such as warehouses and construction sites. Where a forklift or dumper truck used to transport materials reverses into a worker for example, the point of impact is usually around the waist and hip area. This may cause devastating crush-type injuries, which will often require lengthy reconstructive surgery. The causes of hip injuries in public places are similar to those in the workplace. Supermarket customers for example may slip and fall on wet floors or spilled produce, or trip on packaging materials left lying in aisles. Snow and ice in winter will pose a similar hazard. There have also been a number of cases in which shoppers have been crushed by stock crates on wheels, or vehicles reversing in the car park. These types of injuries regularly result in hip fractures and dislocations among elderly shoppers.

Even strains and sprains to muscles, tendons and ligaments that surround the hip can lead to long-term complications. Among these are tendonitis and bursitis. Bursitis is a condition where the small floating sac of fluid called the bursa, which protects the soft tissues, becomes inflamed, causing stiffness and pain around the joint. The condition may result from repetitive stress being placed on the hip, or from sudden physical trauma.

The most serious types of hip injury which attract the highest compensation awards normally involve what are known collectively as 'residual difficulties'. These may include damage to internal organs, such as the bladder, and related incontinence and loss of sexual function. Hip surgery carries its own inherent risks, including the possibility of a blood clot or infection developing, and the post-operative onset of pneumonia. Compensation awards for hip injuries vary widely, and may exceed 瞿80,000 in the event of serious residual difficulties following the original injury. Our team of solicitors have experience with all types of hip injury compensation claims. We operate on a No Win No Fee basis meaning if you win your case you keep all of the damages awarded, and if you lose you will not pay a penny.