Many serious arm injuries are caused every year in accidents at work, particularly involving machinery, road traffic accidents, slips and falls, and sporting accidents.

Compensation for these varies according to the nature of the injury involved and the personal circumstances of the person injured.

The top of the arm consists of your humerus while your lower arm contains the radius and the ulna. Both of these, the radius and the ulna, enable the placement of the hands, the ulna steadies the radius while it rotates. This rotation is crucial to the total use of the forearm, allowing its full movement. Its loss or damage could be very serious.

It’s not just an “accident” that can cause pain and suffering in the arm. Repetitive strain injury often arises when the muscles are overused or because of bad posture. Work involving repetitive movements, for example picking items off conveyor belts, using the same hand held machinery or tools for prolonged periods or use of a computer keyboard without proper ergonomic controls can all lead to painful and debilitating arm problems.

What types of accidents can cause arm injury?

• Accidents at work caused by falling objects, slipping and tripping and machinery
• Sports Accidents caused by potentially unsafe playing techniques, lack of proper instruction or equipment
• Road Accidents, including motor cycle and pedal cycles, injuries to pedestrians and driver and passenger injury
• School Accidents, children falling from apparatus and trapping arms in doors are not uncommon accidents
• Animal caused by animals. We put our arms out to protect ourselves and there can be some nasty animal bites
• Slips trips and falls, at work, in shops, on pavements
• Manual Handling, lifting and carrying equipment that is too heavy or awkward to manoeuvre can cause both arm and shoulder injury

What types of arm injuries can be caused?

Examples include

• Bruising
• Burns
• Strains
• Open and closed fractures particularly in falls
• Lacerations
• Dislocation
• Sprains
• Aggravation of degenerative conditions such as arthritis
• In the more serious cases, amputation.

What levels of compensation can be awarded?

Compensation can range from over £70,000 for amputations depending on where the amputation is, i.e. full arm or partial.

For those injuries which are very severe, almost as bad as an amputation, compensation could lie in the £60-80000 bracket

Where there have been serious fractures leading to a significant residual disability £25-38000

Significant injury but a substantial recovery is made or expected, anything up to £25000

Simple fracture of the forearm £4250-£12250

Strains and sprains where recovery is expected £2000 plus.

These are estimates and will vary depending on individual circumstances.

Injury to this area of the body can involve nerve and vascular damage and medical attention should be obtained at an early stage in all but the minor cases. This may involve both your GP and specialist orthopaedic consultants amongst others. Arm injury may prevent a return to work at least in the early stages and in some cases, particularly where the use of the arm is crucial, for example heavy manual work, the chances of a return to work, will depend on the medical intervention and the extent of the recovery. Loss of earnings can be a direct result and sometimes, loss of a job.

If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek legal advice as you may be entitled to compensation.