Elbow Injury Compensation Claim

What types of elbow injuries could I claim compensation for?

Essentially the elbow is where the humerus bone of the upper arm meets the radius and ulna bones of the forearm to form a hinge joint in the upper arm. Injuries to the elbow are fairly common and are usually accompanied by injuries to shoulder or wrist joints. For the purpose of accurately calculating elbow injury compensation it is important to assess the injury promptly and accurately, taking into account age and the nature of the injury itself – particularly because of the risk of accompanying vascular involvement.

The elbow is one of the more complicated joints in your body, and understanding exactly what bones, muscles and ligaments it is comprised of will help you determine what kind of elbow injury you might be seeking compensation for. Your biceps allow you to bend your elbow, while your triceps enable you to extend it. These muscles are supported by the humerus, radius and ulna bones, and are joined to the aforementioned bones by the anterior and ulna collateral ligaments.

The most common forms of elbow injury, informally referred to as ‘tennis elbow’ or ‘golfers elbow’ occur when the ligaments of the elbow become inflamed, making it painful to move. These injuries occur predominantly because of overuse of the joint, constituting a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or a manual handling injury. Whilst these injuries are perhaps the most common, they are not the only form of injury for which you can launch a ‘no win, no fee’ elbow injury compensation claim. Some of the other forms of elbow injury that our clients suffer are detailed below.

Fractured Elbow

Elbow injuries are common in both adults and children. Early recognition and treatment of a fractured elbow injury can dramatically reduce the risk of complications and later disability. Serious injuries such as fractures and dislocations can cause massive damage to the bones and other structures of the elbow, resulting in problems with movement, blood vessel function, and nerve function. In children, fractures can affect the growth and development of the bones. This is because children have many ‘growth plates’ where bone growth takes place. Bone growth continues throughout childhood; if one of these ‘growth plates’ is fractured or broken, it can affect bone development.

UCL Injury

Damaging the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) can be a real problem for any individual in any walk of life. Depending on the severity of the injury, an individual may be out for a few days or over a year if there is a complete rupture of the UCL. A minor sprain means a person is able to resume normal day-to-day activities relatively quickly – usually within a few days. A complete rupture of the UCL is a very serious injury, and this would be reflected in the level of any elbow injury compensation that is paid out.

Bursitis

If you hit your elbow hard enough, especially on the edge, then you may notice pain, swelling and tenderness in the affected area, also known as bursitis. This can be extremely painful and may require treatment by a physician. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac which forms under the skin, usually over the joints and acts as a cushion between the tendons and bones. Usually, this can be remedied by simply compressing the area and applying ice to the swelling. However, in more extreme cases, the physician may need to drain it. If the bursa requires draining, you may need to wear an elbow pad for the first week or so after the treatment.

Tennis Elbow

Another irritating elbow injury is best known as ‘tennis elbow‘, also known as lateral epicondylitis. Tennis elbow occurs as a result of strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint. The onset of pain is gradual and as it worsens the victim is unable to carry out their usual day-to-day activities. If tennis elbow is diagnosed early enough, it is best treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). If the symptoms remain untreated for a significant period of time, the use of other therapeutic aides may be necessary. These treatments can range from anti-inflammatory / pain medications to an elbow brace. This can also have an effect on the amount of elbow injury compensation that you could be entitled to.

Muscle Strains and Tears

Muscle strains can occur anywhere, from the back and legs to the shoulders and the neck. Around the elbow, the biceps, triceps, forearm flexors and extensors are the most commonly injured muscles. The most serious of these can be a torn bicep. When this happens the muscle ‘balls’ up in the upper arm. If this occurs there are two treatment options available: let it heal as it is or have surgery to have it reattached. In most cases, surgery is the best option. This choice all depends on age, level of activity, the individual involved and the physician. Minor bicep tears, although far less severe, can still take a while to fully heal because of the amount the arm is used and the fact this muscle serves two purposes: elbow flexion and assisting shoulder flexion.