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Common medical conditions or injuries associated with compensation claims in the UK.

A

Abdominal Injury
Can occasionally be suffered following a road accident where the seat belt grips the lower stomach area. Most injuries will heal normally without treatment.

Abrasions
Trauma induced grazes or cuts that are treated with bandages or antiseptic.

Asbestosis Claims
Compensation for exposure to asbestos in the workplace.

B

Brain Damage
This type of injury can occur in many circumstances and is at the top end of any award structure for compensation.

Broken Bones
See fractures.

Bruising
Soft tissue injury occurring after trauma, swelling and discolouration. These injuries are usually minor in nature and generally will heal within a few weeks. Occasionally these injuries will require physiotherapy (if the problem persists and involves ligaments or vital muscles) but they are often left to heal naturally.

Burns
These injuries can occur in road accidents occasionally where a vehicle catches fire following an impact. Some road related burns can be caused through friction. The majority of the burn injuries that we deal with arise from accidents at work as a result of explosions or exposure to fire. Chemical burns at work are common.   The extent of compensation depends much on the location or site of the burn on the body, whether there is any scarring and the sex of the claimant can also play a significant part.

C

Chest Injuries
More common in car accidents or as a result of tripping / falling. Rib fractures can be difficult to identify, fractures rarely show themselves on x ray. Physiotherapy is not always possible particularly in bony injury cases.

Coccyx Injuries
The coccyx is a small triangular bone at the base of the spine made up of 3 - 5 vertebrae. Injury can occur as a result of direct impact (for example following a fall where the injured victim hits the ground with force). Symptoms can very often begin or extend to the sacral area.

Colles Fractures
This is a specific type of broken wrist. When a patient sustains a Colles' fracture, there is displacement of the bone such that the wrist joint rests behind its normal anatomic position. A Colles' fracture is most commonly found after falling on to an outstretched hand and therefore is quite common in the personal injury sector.

D

Dental Injuries
These injuries can occur from a direct impact to the mouth damaging teeth or gums. We also come across many cases of dental negligence where the injury or harm has actually been caused by a dental professional. The period of pain and suffering needs to be determined as does the scope for reparation. If the damage done is long lasting or even permanent then damages will be higher.

E

Epilepsy

Head trauma (and other injuries) can result in an increased risk of epilepsy. Where the condition is properly identified, there are many factors that will affect compensation awards such as the regularity with which any seizures might occur, the medication required, the effect on working life.

Eye Injuries
Causes are numerous, severity of the injury can also be wide ranging. Most injuries are soft tissue related and do not involve the "working parts" of the eye. But in serious cases where vision is disrupted, compensation awards can be at the top end.

F

Foot & Ankle Injuries
Sprained ankles and foot ligaments can be very common with slip / fall type accidents. Recovery can in some cases be prolonged.

Fractures
This is a wide ranging area. There are many different types of fractures that we encounter on a regular basis. Common injuries include, Colles fractures (mentioned above), scaphoid (wrist), Comminuted fractures, and compound fractures. Some fractures are peculiar to children or the elderly. Greenstick fractures for example, are very common in children where bones are more pliable.

G

Ganglion
A ganglion cyst is a bump or mass that forms under the skin. Most commonly, ganglions are seen on the wrist (usually the back side) and fingers, but they can also develop around joints on the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle and foot.) They can result from or be aggravated by trauma.

H

Haematoma
A localised collection of blood that usually clots and can be visible through the skin. Very similar to bruising. These injuries can occur as a result of impact trauma and whilst usually slow healing, are not necessarily painful in many cases.

Head Injury
These injuries are very wide ranging in terms of their severity and treatment.

I

Industrial Deafness
Claims are possible for industrial deafness caused by a noisy working environment.

L

Laminectomy
Is a surgical operation designed to relieve pressure on nerves in either the back or neck.

Leg Injuries
Aside from soft tissue foot injuries covered above, the most common lower limb injuries we encounter involve minor fractures to the tibia or fibula. These can occur as a result of a fall or impact.

M

MRI Scan
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine produces a scan that provides an image of the inside of the body but unlike an x-ray does not use radiation to do this. A magnetic field is used to make the body’s cells vibrate. The electrical signals emitted are then interpreted by computer software. The end result is a very detailed and multi layered report that provides for an excellent diagnostic tool for doctors.

N

Neck Injury
Probably the most common type of injury that we encounter, and generally associated with a whiplash mechanism. Recovery normally will take place within 12 months in the majority of cases but more troublesome injuries can take 2-3 years. A small percentage of accident victims will suffer permanent pain.

Nose (nasal) Injuries
Broken noses are common in the personal injury sector. The extent of the damage caused however can be very varied with differing cosmetic results.

P

Patella Injury
Patella (or kneebone) fractures are very common mainly because the bone tends to take the brunt of an impact when an accident victim slips or falls. Knees can also be hurt in car crashes with dashboards being pushed back towards the drivers seating position.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Is now a very common phrase in medicine. Treatment techniques are numerous and advice should be sought from a psychiatrist or psychologist regarding the suitability of any particular form of therapy.

R

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
RSI is used as a general term encompassing various kinds of injuries to muscles, tendons or nerves caused by repetitive movement of a part of the body. Related conditions can include Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Epicondylitis, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis and Trigger Finger. Claims for this particular condition can be difficult to prove.

S

Sacral Injury
Low back injury, the sacral bone is at the base of the lumbar spine. Injury to this area can be very debilitating and long lasting. Physiotherapy may be of some benefit.

Sternum (Breastbone)
This bone can very often be injured in car accidents with strain and pressure caused by the inertia from a seatbelt. Recovery can be prolonged.

Stress
Stress claims are very difficult to prove because of the burden of proof and the various tests that must be met before a claim can be considered.

T

Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the sensation of a sound in the ear or head that is not produced by an external source. The sound can be of any pitch or type, continuous or intermittent. The symptoms (whilst occurring naturally in the majority of cases) can be caused by head injury or by whiplash or similar trauma.

V

Vibration White Finger VWF
Vibration White Finger or VWF (now referred to as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome - HAVS).

W

Whiplash
See Neck injury

Please consult your doctor for advice on your own injury - the above is strictly for general information only.

We help people every day claim compensation following all types of accidents, injuries and illnesses sometimes in the most unusual of circumstances.

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