Pelvis and hip injury claim
At Coleman Legal LLP, we specialise in guiding clients through the process of pursuing a pelvis and hip injury claim in Ireland.
Our experienced solicitors understand the serious impact that pelvic fractures, hip injuries, and related complications can have on a person’s mobility, independence, ability to work, and quality of life.
Whether your pelvis and hip injury claim arises from a road traffic accident, workplace accident, accident in a public place, sporting incident, or medical negligence, our team can advise you on your legal rights and the steps involved in seeking compensation.
Factors affecting compensation
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines
When assessing a pelvis and hip injury claim, the following factors are commonly considered:
- Age of the claimant at the time of the injury
- Nature, severity, and duration of the injury
- Medical treatment required, including surgery and rehabilitation
- Presence of, or increased risk of, degenerative changes
- Impact on working capacity and future earning potential
- Effect on enjoyment of life, leisure activities, and personal relationships
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
- Psychological consequences, including anxiety and depression
- Medical prognosis and long-term recovery prospects
Every pelvis and hip injury claim is assessed on its own facts, taking account of both the physical and psychological effects of the injury.
Compensation amount
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines
Compensation in a pelvis and hip injury claim is assessed by reference to the Personal Injuries Guidelines issued by the Judicial Council.
Severe pelvis and hip injuries
These injuries involve extensive fractures, significant disability, spinal fusion procedures, major joint disruption, or severe long-term complications.
Serious pelvis and hip injuries
This category includes complex fractures, instability, significant functional impairment, and injuries that may require future hip replacement surgery.
Moderate pelvis and hip injuries
These injuries involve substantial symptoms and treatment requirements but do not result in severe permanent disability.
Minor pelvis and hip injuries
This category includes soft tissue injuries and less severe fractures where recovery is expected within a relatively shorter period.
In addition to compensation for pain and suffering, a pelvis and hip injury claim may also include financial losses such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, travel expenses, care costs, and loss of earnings.
Causes of pelvis and hip injuries
A pelvis and hip injury claim may arise from many different circumstances, including:
Road traffic accidents
Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other road users can result in serious pelvis and hip injuries.
Workplace accidents
Falls from height, machinery accidents, manual handling incidents, and crushing injuries can lead to significant pelvic and hip trauma.
Slips, trips, and falls
Accidents caused by defective surfaces, wet floors, uneven pavements, or unsafe premises frequently result in pelvis and hip injuries.
Sporting injuries
High-impact sports and physical activities can cause fractures, dislocations, and other pelvic or hip injuries.
Medical negligence
Errors during surgery or medical procedures involving the pelvis or hip may result in injury and form the basis of a pelvis and hip injury claim.
Defective products
Faulty machinery, defective equipment, or unsafe products can lead to accidents resulting in serious pelvis and hip injuries.
Pelvis and hip injury claim process
Most pelvis and hip injury claims in Ireland do not begin in court. Instead, claims arising from road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, slips and falls, and other personal injury matters are generally required to be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) before court proceedings can be issued.
Medical negligence claims are exempt from the IRB process.
Many people choose to instruct a solicitor to assist with the process.
Our pelvis and hip injury claim solicitors can help by:
1. Gathering information and evidence
Your solicitor will obtain accident reports, photographs, witness statements, employment records where relevant, and any other documentation required to support your pelvis and hip injury claim.
2. Obtaining medical evidence
Medical evidence is central to every pelvis and hip injury claim.
Your solicitor will obtain medical records and specialist reports from orthopaedic consultants and other relevant experts to assess the nature of the injury, treatment requirements, and long-term prognosis.
3. Submitting the claim
Once the necessary evidence has been gathered, your solicitor will prepare and submit the claim to the Injuries Resolution Board where appropriate.
If the matter relates to medical negligence, your solicitor will advise on the appropriate litigation process.
4. Assessment or court proceedings
If the claim proceeds through the Injuries Resolution Board, an assessment may be made based on the available evidence.
Where the claim is not resolved through the IRB process, your solicitor can advise on issuing court proceedings and pursuing compensation through the courts.
Throughout the process, your solicitor will advise you on settlement offers and ensure your interests are protected.
When should you seek legal advice?
You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have suffered a pelvis or hip injury as a result of an accident or medical negligence.
Examples include:
- Pelvic fractures
- Hip fractures
- Hip dislocations
- Reduced mobility
- Ongoing pain following surgery
- Chronic instability
- Permanent disability
- Requirement for hip replacement surgery
- Reduced ability to work
- Long-term rehabilitation needs
A serious pelvis and hip injury claim can involve substantial medical evidence and financial losses, making early legal advice particularly important.
Statute of Limitations
In Ireland, the general time limit for bringing a pelvis and hip injury claim is two years less one day from the date of the accident or from the date of knowledge of the injury and its cause.
Different rules may apply in certain circumstances, including medical negligence claims and claims involving minors. Where a person was under 18 at the time of the injury, the limitation period generally does not begin until their eighteenth birthday.
Because limitation issues can be complex, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Read more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation ranges apply to pelvis and hip injuries in Ireland?
In Ireland, compensation for pelvis and hip injuries is assessed under the Personal Injuries Guidelines issued by the Judicial Council.
Pelvis injuries range from minor soft tissue injuries to complex fractures requiring surgical fixation.
Hip injuries are assessed similarly, with hip replacement surgery and permanent disability generally attracting higher levels of compensation.
A pelvis and hip injury claim may also include special damages such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, and care costs.
Can I claim for a hip injury caused by a fall on a public footpath in Ireland?
Yes. A pelvis and hip injury claim may arise where a fall was caused by a dangerous defect on a public footpath or unsafe premises.
Depending on the circumstances, the claim may be brought against the relevant local authority or occupier responsible for maintaining the area.
Do I need an orthopaedic report for a pelvis injury claim?
Yes. In most cases, an orthopaedic consultant’s report will be required to support a pelvis and hip injury claim.
The report helps establish the nature of the injury, treatment required, prognosis, and any permanent disability or functional limitation.
How does a pelvis injury affect my ability to work, and can I claim for lost earnings?
A pelvis or hip injury may affect your ability to work for a temporary or permanent period.
If the injury has resulted in loss of earnings or reduced earning capacity, these losses may form part of a pelvis and hip injury claim and can be recovered as special damages.
What happens if the defendant disputes liability in a pelvis or hip injury claim?
Where liability is disputed, a pelvis and hip injury claim may proceed through court proceedings rather than being resolved through the IRB process.
Your solicitor will gather evidence to establish negligence, causation, and the extent of your injuries.
If contributory negligence is alleged, any compensation awarded may be reduced accordingly.
