If doctors failed to diagnose your fracture, causing you to endure a prolonged period of pain and suffering, you could be entitled to compensation. For more information on what action you need to take next, contact a medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible.

Missed Fractures

Every year, thousands upon thousands of people across the UK will break a bone. In the majority of cases the affected individual will recognise they have sustained an injury and seek medical attention, usually at their nearest Accident and Emergency department. After an initial examination doctors will appreciate the need to perform an x-ray and, if a fracture is identified, an appropriate course of treatment devised. Although this will normally involve applying a plaster cast, sometimes the fracture will be left untreated, or if the break is severe surgery may be required.

This routine is standard practice for the diagnosis and treatment of fractures. Most people will have gone through the process themselves, or know a loved one that has. It is a common occurrence, and no one ever believes they will leave hospital with an undiagnosed fracture. However, unfortunately it does happen. We have sadly dealt with a number of cases in which patients have been discharged from A&E after being diagnosed with a sprain, only to discover at a later date that their injury is in fact a fracture. Perhaps the most alarming example is a gentleman who broke his neck in a road traffic accident, but was discharged from hospital with a diagnosis of whiplash.

How Can Doctors Miss A Fracture?

The notion that medical professionals can miss such a major fracture is truly alarming. But how exactly does it happen? Surely fractures are one of the most common sources of A&E admissions - so how could doctors fail to diagnose a fracture? Ordinarily this grave error will happen for one of two reasons. Firstly, the treating doctor may believe that a patient has not suffered a fractured whatsoever and has instead sustained a more minor complaint such as a strain or muscle damage. Consequently a patient will not be referred for an x-ray. Secondly, a patient may undergo an x-ray to assess whether a fracture has occurred, but the radiographer fails to spot the broken bone on the image.

Claiming compensation for a missed fracture

Either way, if a fracture failed to be diagnosed by medical professionals, it is very likely that an incident of medical negligence has taken place. The affected patient will therefore be able to make a claim against the hospital in question. If this claim is successful, compensation will be awarded to reflect the pain and suffering that has been caused as a direct result of medical error.