Wrist Injury at Work Claim | UK Compensation Guide

What types of wrist injury happen at work?

• Colles' fracture — the most common fracture from a fall onto an outstretched hand
• Scaphoid fracture — a small carpal bone fracture easily missed on initial X-ray, requiring CT or MRI
• TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) tears — from twisting or impact, often requiring arthroscopic repair
• De Quervain's tenosynovitis — repetitive strain affecting the tendons at the base of the thumb
• Carpal tunnel syndrome — median nerve compression from repetitive work or vibrating tools
• WRULD (Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder) — broad category covering repetitive strain conditions affecting the wrist and forearm
• Crush injuries — from machinery or vehicle incidents

What causes wrist injuries at work?

• Falls onto an outstretched hand — from slips, trips or falls from height
• Manual handling and repetitive gripping — particularly in production, healthcare and catering roles
• Use of vibrating tools — which can cause HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome over time
• Machinery accidents — including entrapment and crush injuries
• Vehicle incidents — particularly RTAs while driving for work

What are your employer's legal duties?

For repetitive strain and WRULD claims, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to assess and reduce manual handling risks. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require proper workstation assessment for DSE users. For vibration-related wrist conditions, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 apply — see our guide to HAVS claims. For falls, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and Work at Height Regulations 2005 are relevant depending on how the injury occurred.

How is a wrist injury at work claim valued?

Using the Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition:

• Severe wrist injury (including total or near-total loss of function, crush injuries, injuries leaving a significant permanent disability): £29,900 to £47,900
• Significant wrist injury (including serious fractures or ligament damage leaving lasting symptoms with some permanent disability): £16,820 to £29,900
• Less severe wrist injury (including fractures with good recovery but residual symptoms): £10,760 to £16,820
• Minor wrist injury (soft tissue or fracture with full or near-full recovery within months): up to £10,760

Special damages — lost earnings, treatment costs, physiotherapy, private surgery — are additional to these general damages figures.

Can I claim for repetitive strain from work?

Yes, if the condition was caused or materially worsened by the nature of your work and your employer failed to assess and manage the risk. WRULD and De Quervain's claims require medical evidence establishing a causal link with your job duties, supported by details of your typical working day, how long the condition developed over, and whether you raised it with your employer before diagnosis.

What if my wrist fracture has healed but I still have pain?

Residual symptoms following a healed fracture — chronic pain, stiffness, reduced grip strength, difficulty with fine motor tasks — are recognised as a compensatable ongoing injury. A consultant orthopaedic report will assess the degree of permanent impairment and whether further treatment such as physiotherapy, steroid injections or surgery is likely.