Making a wrist fracture claim

A wrist fracture claim covers a broken bone at the wrist, most often the distal radius. It is caused by bracing against the ground during a fall from a motorcycle or bicycle, often alongside an arm fracture from the same impact.

This sits within a wider road accident claim. A less common but easily missed injury is a fracture of the scaphoid bone, which does not always show clearly on the first X-ray.

This page explains the common types of wrist fracture, the evidence needed, and what affects the outlook for grip and movement.

What a wrist fracture covers

A distal radius fracture sits at the end of the forearm bone nearest the hand. It is the most common wrist fracture from a fall.

It can be treated with a cast alone, or with surgery, depending on whether the bone has shifted out of position. A scaphoid fracture is smaller and can be missed on an early X-ray.

It is sometimes only confirmed by a follow-up scan or MRI, once pain continues despite a normal-looking first image.

How it affects daily life and work

Everyday tasks such as opening jars, typing, or carrying shopping bags become difficult with a wrist in a cast or splint. Any job involving keyboard use, tools, or repetitive hand movement is usually affected for weeks at a time.

Grip strength often takes longer to return than the bone itself takes to heal. This can affect work even after the cast comes off.

The evidence this claim needs

An X-ray confirms most wrist fractures. A scaphoid fracture may need a follow-up scan if pain continues despite an initial normal result.

A specialist medical report from an orthopaedic hand specialist should cover the treatment given. It should also address whether full grip strength and movement are expected to return.

Physiotherapy or occupational therapy notes, tracking grip strength over time, add useful, measurable detail to the claim.

How the injury factors into your claim

General damages are assessed against a published compendium of injury awards, together with the medical evidence.^[1] A fracture needing surgery is generally valued higher than one treated with a cast alone.

Where reduced grip or movement affects a job involving the hands, this can support a claim for loss of earning capacity. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and any hardware used in surgery fall under treatment costs and future medical needs.

Recovery and outlook

A straightforward fracture generally heals within some weeks. Full grip strength can take considerably longer to return with physiotherapy.

A scaphoid fracture, especially if diagnosis was delayed, can take longer still. It carries a higher chance of ongoing stiffness.

What to do next

If wrist pain continues despite a normal first X-ray, ask about a follow-up scan. Do not assume nothing is broken.

Hand and finger injuries covers related injuries from the same fall. The general deadline to bring this claim is six years from the accident.^[2]