Misdiagnosed Fracture Claims

A failure to diagnose a fracture is a relatively common type of medical negligence claim, often brought against Accident and Emergency Departments, GPs or paramedics. If a fracture is not diagnosed and treated correctly then this can lead to significant long-term consequences as the fracture may heal incorrectly with associated pain and limitations in movement of the affected body part.

A delay in diagnosis of a fracture can also lead to infection, blood clots, increased risk of arthritis and permanent disfigurement. In some instances, a failure to diagnose a fracture can lead to internal injuries such as a punctured lung or paralysis for example, from a missed spine or skull fracture.

Claims for failures in the diagnosis and treatment of fractures can arise from:

• Misdiagnosing an injury as a sprain
• A failure to undertake an x-ray
• A failure to recognise a fracture on an x-ray or other imaging
• An x-ray being incorrectly reported
• Misdiagnosis leading to incorrect treatment

Fractures of the scaphoid (a bone on the wrist) can often be misdiagnosed.

In order to bring a claim, it has to be shown that the care provided was below a reasonable standard and that as a result the outcome has been worse than it would otherwise have been, i.e. that harm has been caused.