Hand and Wrist Injuries

bfra January 5, 2020 DC and Maryland Accident Attorney News Blog Comments Off on Hand and Wrist Injuries 261 Views

When you think about the types of injuries sustained in car accidents or falls, hand and wrist injuries probably aren’t the first that come to mind. But they happen more often than you might think, and they cause quite a bit of pain and inconvenience for the victims.

These types of injuries can lead to surgery, chronic pain, and even permanent disability. On top of that are the day-to-day problems these injuries cause: missed work, time spent rehabbing from surgery or in physical therapy, and the inability to do even the simplest of tasks with your hands.

In fact, a 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed that hand and wrist injuries resulted in more work absences (16.8 lost work days per 10,000 full-time workers) than any other cause, except back pain.

Types of Hand and Wrist Injuries

One of the more common types of injuries sustained from falls caused by someone else’s negligence is commonly referred to as a FOOSH (Fall On an Out-Stretched Hand) injury. This occurs when someone falling puts their hands out to brace themselves and sustains an injury to the hand or wrist.

Hand and wrist injuries may also occur in other instances, such as car accidents, when the first reaction is to raise your hands to protect your head or face or to brace yourself by placing your hands on the dashboard, front seat, or other location, leading to impact being absorbed by the hands and wrists. These injuries are often fractures, sprains, and torn or damaged tendons and ligaments.

Small Body Parts, Big Problems

When thinking about injuries caused by accidents, negligence, or even sports, those you probably consider first are to the head, arm, shoulder, back, or leg. Hands and wrists simply don’t get the attention those larger body parts do.

Now… just think of everything you do with your hands on a daily basis. Hold a cup of coffee. Walk the dog. Get dressed. Brush or comb your hair. Apply make-up Turn a steering wheel. Make a sandwich. The list is practically infinite. But hand and wrist injuries are often overlooked, even by insurance adjusters, who may try to minimize the damage your hands and wrists sustained because they’re not “large” body parts. There is no disputing that you need your hands to perform even the most basic daily tasks.

The Aftermath of Hand and Wrist Injuries

In addition to everything we’ve already mentioned, there can be long and painful aftermath involved with hand and wrist injuries. Physical therapy, surgery, rehab, the time involved in all of the above. These injuries often require a long, winding road to recovery, so why let an insurance adjuster minimize your pain and suffering due to someone else’s negligence?