Michael Boylan Litigation acts for people across Ireland who have sustained wrist or hand injuries as a result of accidents. These injuries can affect your ability to work, carry out everyday tasks, and care for others. If you have been injured and are trying to understand your legal position, the information below sets out what is involved and how the firm can assist.
When a wrist or hand injury may give rise to a claim
Irish law draws a clear distinction between an inherent or known risk and an avoidable failure to meet a duty of care. Not every accident that results in a wrist or hand injury involves negligence. Some environments and activities carry a recognised level of physical risk, and this is understood by those who take part in them.
Negligence issues typically arise where a duty of care existed, where that duty was not met (for example, through unsafe conditions, defective equipment, inadequate training, or a failure to address a known hazard), and where that failure directly caused the injury. Each case requires a careful examination of the specific facts before any conclusions can be drawn.
Responsibility is not always straightforward at first. In some situations it may be unclear whether an employer, a property owner, a contractor, or another party is responsible. In others, more than one party may share responsibility. These are questions that a solicitor can assess once the full circumstances are understood.
What counts as a wrist or hand injury
Wrist fractures explained simply
Distal radius fracture: The radius is one of the two bones in the forearm. A distal radius fracture is a break near the wrist end of this bone. It is one of the most common fractures in adults and often occurs when a person puts their hand out to break a fall.
Scaphoid fracture: The scaphoid is a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist. Fractures here are sometimes missed on initial X-ray because they can appear normal. They require careful diagnosis and, if untreated, can lead to long-term complications including avascular necrosis (where part of the bone loses its blood supply and begins to deteriorate).
Carpal bone fractures: The wrist contains eight small bones called carpal bones. Any of these can be fractured in a fall or impact. Some of these fractures are subtle and may only be visible on specialist imaging such as an MRI scan.
Hand fractures explained simply
Metacarpal fractures: The metacarpals are the five long bones that form the middle part of the hand, connecting the wrist to the fingers. A break in one of these bones causes pain, swelling, and difficulty gripping or making a fist.
Finger fractures (phalanges): Each finger has three bones called phalanges (two in the thumb). Fractures can occur in any of these and, depending on the location and alignment, may require splinting or surgical fixation to heal properly.
Thumb fractures and joint injuries: The thumb is involved in a large proportion of hand function. Fractures at the base of the thumb, including Bennett's fracture (a break at the base of the thumb's metacarpal that involves the joint), are particularly significant and often require surgical treatment.
Soft tissue and nerve injuries of the wrist and hand
Ligament injuries and instability: Ligaments hold the bones of the wrist and hand in alignment. A tear or stretching of these structures can cause persistent pain, weakness, and a feeling that the joint is unstable or giving way.
Tendon injuries: Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow the fingers and wrist to move. Cuts, crush injuries, or sudden forceful movements can cause partial or complete tendon tears, resulting in loss of movement.
Nerve symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness): Nerve damage in the wrist or hand can cause numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation, or weakness in the fingers. In some cases, symptoms may point to a specific nerve being compressed or injured, such as the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
Symptoms and functional impact people commonly experience
Early symptoms
The immediate signs of a wrist or hand injury are often clear, but it is worth having them properly assessed even when they seem minor:
Pain and tenderness at the site of injury, which may be sharp or aching
Swelling and bruising that can appear quickly after the incident
Difficulty moving the wrist, fingers, or thumb
A feeling of instability or that something has shifted
Deformity in more severe fractures, where the wrist or finger appears out of alignment
Symptoms that can develop later
Some symptoms only become apparent after the initial swelling settles or as healing progresses:
Stiffness and reduced range of motion: The wrist or fingers may feel tight or restricted, particularly in the morning.
Chronic pain: Pain that persists beyond the expected recovery period may indicate a complication, such as a scaphoid non-union (where the bone fails to heal) or post-traumatic arthritis (joint inflammation that develops following injury).
Grip weakness: Difficulty holding objects, opening jars, or sustaining grip over time.
Cold sensitivity: Some people experience discomfort or unusual sensitivity in the hand in cold conditions following a fracture.
Psychological effects: Anxiety about reinjury, low mood, and difficulty adjusting to a change in function are recognised consequences of hand and wrist injuries.
Practical impact on daily life
The hands are involved in almost everything we do. A wrist or hand injury can affect far more than people initially expect:
Grip strength and fine motor tasks: Difficulty with writing, typing, fastening buttons, preparing food, or handling small objects.
Driving: Depending on the hand affected and the severity of the injury, driving may be temporarily or longer-term affected.
Work duties: Many occupations involve physical use of the hands. Even desk-based roles can be significantly disrupted by wrist or hand injuries.
Caring responsibilities: Those who care for children, elderly relatives, or dependants may find that their capacity to carry out caring tasks is reduced.
How wrist and hand injuries happen in accidents
Wrist and hand injuries arise across a range of accident types. The context of the accident is important both medically and legally:
Workplace accidents: Falls, contact with machinery, manual handling incidents, and tool-related injuries are all common in workplace settings. The adequacy of training, supervision, and protective equipment are relevant factors.
Road traffic accidents: Impact with a steering wheel, dashboard, or door, or the instinctive response of putting a hand out during a collision, can result in fractures and soft tissue injuries.
Slips, trips, and falls in public places: Falling onto an outstretched hand on a defective footpath, wet floor, or poorly maintained surface is one of the most frequent causes of wrist fractures.
Cycling, sports, and leisure incidents: Falls from bicycles and contact sports carry a recognised risk of wrist and hand injury. The circumstances of the incident and what precautions were in place are legally relevant.
Machinery and tool-related injuries, including crush injuries: Contact with moving parts, heavy equipment, or industrial tools can cause serious crush injuries, fractures, and nerve or tendon damage.
Common causes behind these injuries
Behind many wrist and hand injury claims, one or more of the following is found to be a contributing factor:
Falls onto an outstretched hand: The natural instinct to break a fall places significant force through the wrist, making this a very common mechanism of fracture.
Crush injuries and entrapment: Where hands or wrists become trapped in machinery, between objects, or under heavy loads, the resulting damage can be severe.
Defective equipment or poor maintenance: Tools, machinery, or workplace equipment that is not properly maintained or is not fit for purpose.
Poor housekeeping, unsafe surfaces, and inadequate lighting: Conditions that increase the risk of a fall or contact with a hazard.
Inadequate training, supervision, or protective measures: Where a person has not been properly trained, appropriately supervised, or provided with the right protective equipment for the task.
What to do after a wrist or hand injury
Taking the right steps after an injury makes a difference, both to your recovery and to any legal process that follows:
Seek medical attention promptly: Even if the injury initially seems minor, a medical assessment is important. Some fractures, particularly scaphoid fractures, are not visible on a standard X-ray and require further imaging.
Report the incident: Whether at work, in a public place, or on the road, make sure the accident is formally reported and a record is created. At work, this means the accident book.
Preserve evidence: Photograph the scene, the hazard involved, and your injury as soon as it is safe to do so. If CCTV may have captured the incident, request that footage is preserved without delay, as it is often overwritten within a matter of days.
Keep records of your treatment: Note every medical appointment, prescription, and physiotherapy session. Ask for copies of letters and discharge summaries where possible.
Keep a symptom diary: A simple note of how your injury affects you day to day can be a useful record later.
Evidence that is often relied on
The strength of any claim depends on the evidence behind it. In wrist and hand injury cases, the following are commonly relevant:
Medical records and treating clinician notes: Accident and Emergency records, GP notes, and specialist referral letters that document the nature and progression of the injury.
Imaging and operative records where relevant: X-ray, CT, and MRI results that confirm the diagnosis. Where surgery was required, operative notes are an important part of the medical picture.
Workplace documentation: Accident book entries, incident reports, risk assessments, equipment maintenance records, and training logs.
Public place documentation: Maintenance and inspection records from a local authority, retailer, or property owner, as well as any records of prior complaints or incidents at the same location.
Witness statements and CCTV: Accounts from anyone who witnessed the accident or who can speak to the conditions at the time, along with any available footage.
The process in Ireland
Personal injury claims in Ireland follow a structured process. The key stages are:
Medical assessment: An independent medical report setting out the nature, cause, and likely long-term impact of the injury is central to any claim.
Injuries Resolution Board (IRB): Most personal injury claims must be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board before court proceedings can issue. The IRB assesses the claim and may make an award. Either party may reject this, at which point an authorisation to proceed to court is issued.
Legal proceedings: Where a claim is not resolved through the IRB, it proceeds through the courts. The appropriate court will depend on the nature of the claim.
Settlement or hearing: Many claims are resolved before a full hearing. Where this does not happen, a judge will determine the matter.
Your solicitor manages each of these stages, keeps you informed, and ensures the evidence required is in place.
Time limits for wrist and hand injury claims in Ireland
In Ireland, personal injury claims are generally subject to a two-year time limit. This runs from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge: the point at which you first became aware, or reasonably should have become aware, that your injury may be connected to another party's fault.
There are exceptions to this general position:
Minors: Where the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the two-year period runs from their 18th birthday.
Persons lacking legal capacity: The time limit may apply differently where the injured person does not have the capacity to bring a claim themselves.
Delayed knowledge: Where the connection between the accident and the injury only became clear over time, the period may run from when that connection was or reasonably should have been identified.
If you are uncertain about how these time limits apply to your situation, taking legal advice at an early stage allows you to understand your position clearly.
Why Michael Boylan Litigation?
Specialist litigation approach in complex injury disputes
Wrist and hand injury claims can involve detailed medical evidence, questions about long-term function, and disputed liability. Michael Boylan Litigation is a litigation practice with experience in personal injury claims of this kind, and brings the precision and thoroughness that complex cases require.
Evidence-led preparation and medical understanding
The foundation of any claim is the evidence behind it. The firm works to identify and secure the necessary medical, factual, and expert material at an early stage, ensuring the claim is properly supported before it proceeds.
Clear guidance and practical case management
Recovering from a wrist or hand injury is demanding enough. Michael Boylan Litigation keeps clients informed at each stage, explains the process clearly, and provides practical guidance throughout.
FAQs
What should I do immediately after a wrist or hand injury at work?
Seek medical attention first. Once you have received care, report the accident to your employer and make sure it is entered in the accident book. Note the circumstances, take photographs if you are able, and ask that any CCTV footage is preserved. Collecting this information early is helpful for any process that follows.
What if symptoms appeared hours or days later?
This is not uncommon, particularly with soft tissue injuries or scaphoid fractures. Seek medical assessment as soon as symptoms appear and keep a note of when and how they developed. This information can be relevant both medically and legally.
What if there is no CCTV or it was not retained?
Other evidence including witness accounts, maintenance records, photographs, and expert opinion can support a claim where footage is unavailable. If footage was not preserved despite a reasonable request, this may itself be a relevant consideration.
Do I need to go through the Injuries Resolution Board first?
In most cases, yes. The Injuries Resolution Board is the required first step for most personal injury claims before court proceedings can issue. Your solicitor will manage this process on your behalf.
What happens if responsibility is disputed?
Where liability is denied, the claim may proceed through the courts, where the evidence will be examined and a decision made. Thorough preparation at an early stage is particularly important in these situations.
Can more than one party be responsible?
Yes. In some cases, more than one person or organisation may share responsibility for an accident. A claim can be brought against more than one respondent where the facts support this.
What if I was partly at fault?
Irish law provides for contributory negligence, which means a finding that you contributed to the accident does not necessarily prevent a claim. The extent of any contribution may be taken into account. This is something to discuss with your solicitor based on the specific circumstances.
What records should I keep from the hospital, GP and physiotherapy?
Keep all discharge letters, GP referral notes, physiotherapy records, and prescription records. Photographs of visible injuries at different stages of recovery can also be helpful. The more complete your documentation, the clearer the picture of your injury and its impact.
Can I bring a claim on behalf of a child?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Where the injured person is under 18, Irish law makes provision for a parent or guardian to bring a claim on their behalf. A solicitor can advise on the appropriate steps.
Speak to Michael Boylan Litigation
If you have sustained a wrist or hand injury in an accident and would like to understand the legal process and what your options may be, Michael Boylan Litigation is available to discuss your circumstances.
Contact us today to speak with our team.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
