Wrist injury claim
At Coleman Legal LLP, our experienced solicitors understand that a wrist injury can have a significant impact on your ability to work, drive, care for your family, and carry out everyday activities.
Whether your injury occurred in a workplace accident, road traffic accident, slip and fall, sporting incident, or as a result of medical negligence, our team can advise you on your legal rights and guide you through every stage of your wrist injury claim.
If you have suffered a wrist injury due to someone else’s negligence, our wrist injury claim solicitors can assess your case, gather the necessary medical evidence, and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
Compensation amount
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines
The Personal Injuries Guidelines provide compensation brackets for wrist injuries based on the severity of the injury, the level of disability, the treatment required, and the long-term effect on daily life.
1. Severe wrist injuries (€60,000 – €80,000)
- Complete loss of wrist function.
- Injuries requiring arthrodesis (surgical wrist fusion).
- Severe deformity and permanent disability.
2. Serious wrist injuries (€40,000 – €60,000)
- Significant permanent disability.
- Residual but useful wrist movement.
- Serious fractures or ligament damage resulting in ongoing functional limitation.
3. Moderate wrist injuries (€20,000 – €40,000)
- Permanent pain or stiffness.
- Reduced movement or grip strength.
- Less severe than serious wrist injuries but with lasting symptoms.
4. Minor wrist injuries
Recovery within 2–5 years
- Significant soft tissue injuries or fractures with eventual substantial recovery.
- No permanent disability.
Recovery within 6 months–2 years
- Fractures or ligament injuries requiring conservative treatment.
- Recovery without surgery.
Recovery within 6 months
- Minor sprains, strains or uncomplicated fractures with full recovery.
The compensation awarded in a wrist injury claim depends on the seriousness of the injury, the extent of permanent disability, whether surgery was required, the impact on employment, and how the injury affects your everyday life.
Common causes of a wrist injury claim
A wrist injury claim can arise in many different circumstances, including:
- Workplace accidents involving machinery, manual handling or falls.
- Road traffic accidents involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians.
- Slips, trips and falls in public places or private property.
- Sporting injuries caused by negligent supervision or unsafe facilities.
- Medical negligence resulting in delayed diagnosis or improper treatment.
- Defective products that cause wrist fractures or ligament injuries.
If another person or organisation was responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to make a wrist injury claim.
Wrist injury claim process
1. Contact a wrist injury claim solicitor
Our experienced wrist injury claim solicitors will advise you on whether you have a valid claim and explain the legal process.
Early legal advice also helps preserve important evidence.
2. Submit an application to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)
Most personal injury claims in Ireland, including workplace accidents, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places, must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Medical negligence claims are excluded.
3. Gather medical evidence
Your solicitor will obtain your medical records, consultant reports, expert opinions and any other documentation needed to support your wrist injury claim.
4. Defendant’s response
The IRB will notify the respondent, who has 90 days to consent to the assessment.
If consent is refused, the IRB will issue an Authorisation allowing court proceedings to commence.
5. Assessment of your claim
If both parties agree to the IRB process, the Board will assess your claim using the available medical evidence and the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
If either party rejects the assessment, your solicitor can pursue your wrist injury claim through the courts.
Statute of Limitations
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge of your injury, to commence a wrist injury claim.
Different limitation periods may apply to children and individuals who lack legal capacity. Our solicitors can advise you on the relevant time limits for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation is available for a severe wrist injury in Ireland?
In Ireland, compensation for a wrist injury claim is assessed under the Personal Injuries Guidelines issued by the Judicial Council.
Severe wrist injuries resulting in complete loss of wrist function, including cases requiring arthrodesis (surgical fusion of the wrist joint), attract compensation ranging from €60,000 to €80,000.
Serious wrist injuries involving significant permanent disability but retaining some useful movement generally attract awards between €40,000 and €60,000.
Moderate wrist injuries with lasting pain or stiffness fall within the €20,000 to €40,000 range.
Minor wrist injuries are assessed according to the duration of recovery and any ongoing symptoms.
Can I make a wrist injury claim after a fall at work?
Yes. If you suffered a wrist injury because of a workplace accident caused by unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, defective equipment or another employer’s failure to comply with health and safety obligations, you may be entitled to bring a wrist injury claim.
Your solicitor will investigate liability, obtain the necessary evidence and advise whether compensation may be available.
What is arthrodesis and how does it affect a wrist injury claim?
Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that permanently fuses the wrist joint to eliminate pain caused by severe injury or arthritis.
Although it improves stability, it results in permanent loss of wrist movement.
Because of the significant functional limitations associated with the procedure, wrist injuries requiring arthrodesis are assessed within the highest compensation bracket under the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Can I claim for a wrist fracture that has healed completely?
Yes. Even if your wrist fracture has healed fully, you may still be entitled to make a wrist injury claim for the pain, treatment, inconvenience and financial losses you experienced during your recovery.
The amount of compensation depends on the severity of the injury, the treatment required and the length of your recovery.
Do I need an orthopaedic report for a wrist injury claim?
In most wrist injury claims, an orthopaedic consultant’s report is required.
The report confirms the diagnosis, treatment received, prognosis and any permanent disability.
Medical evidence plays an important role in assessing compensation under the Personal Injuries Guidelines and supporting your claim before the Injuries Resolution Board or the courts.
