Supporting a client after wrist fracture leads to complex regional pain syndrome

In summer 2007, our client was in the garden of her privately rented home when a paving slab collapsed beneath her foot. She fell heavily, landing on her left wrist.

Our client was taken straight to hospital. Her injury required manipulation and K-wires under anaesthetic. However, the effects of the accident did not end with the initial treatment. She continued to experience pain, stiffness and tingling, as well as reduced movement in her left hand.

Our client was unable to properly open her left palm. In April 2008, she underwent further surgery in an attempt to address the problem.

Despite extensive medical investigations and rehabilitation treatment, her symptoms continued. She was eventually diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a serious chronic pain condition.

Our client experienced constant pain in her left wrist, arm and hand. Tasks that had previously been part of everyday life became much more difficult.

She needed significant help from her family with household chores and other activities. Her condition also meant she could no longer work. What began with a fall in her garden had developed into a chronic condition affecting both her independence and her day-to-day life.

Our lawyers were able to show that our client’s landlord had known there was a problem with the paving slab but had failed to repair it.

They also established the link between the accident, our client’s fractured wrist and the CRPS that followed. This was important because liability was denied by the defendant throughout the case.

Chronic pain cases can present particular challenges when the nature or extent of a person’s symptoms is disputed. In this case, the defendant carried out video surveillance in an attempt to challenge our client’s account of her symptoms.

Our client had received significant treatment from appropriate medical practitioners through the NHS. This medical history helped our specialists demonstrate the genuine and serious nature of her chronic pain condition.

The claim was not only about what our client had already experienced. Our specialists also considered the support she would need because of her condition.

This included provision for ongoing occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as well as aids, equipment and adaptations to her home. These measures were intended to help our client with practical activities such as household tasks and cooking, giving her greater independence and helping improve her quality of life.

Although the defendant denied liability throughout the case, our specialists secured a six-figure settlement for our client.

The outcome recognised the serious impact of her wrist injury and CRPS while providing for rehabilitation, equipment and adaptations that could support her ongoing needs and help her regain some independence in everyday life.