Wrist Injury Settlement Calculator
Minor Sprain/Strain (1.5x)
Hairline Fracture/Moderate Sprain (2.5x)
Complete Fracture (Radius/Ulna) (3.5x)
Surgery Required (ORIF/Pins) (4.5x)
Permanent Nerve Damage/Disability (6.0x)
Total Economic Damages:
$0.00
Est. Pain & Suffering:
$0.00
Estimated Settlement Value:
$0.00
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimation based on standard insurance multiplier methods. It does not constitute legal advice. Actual settlement amounts depend on venue, insurance limits, and specific evidence.
Understanding Wrist Injury Compensation
Wrist injuries can range from minor soft tissue sprains to complex fractures requiring Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery. The value of a wrist injury claim depends heavily on the "special damages" (economic losses) and the severity of the injury, which dictates the "general damages" (pain and suffering).
Key Factors Affecting Settlement Value
When insurance adjusters or juries evaluate a wrist injury, they look at several specific metrics:
- Type of Fracture: A distal radius fracture (Colles fracture) or a Scaphoid fracture often commands a higher settlement than a simple sprain due to the complexity of healing and potential for long-term arthritis.
- Medical Treatment: Conservative treatment (casting) has a lower value than invasive treatment (surgery with pins, plates, or screws).
- Dominant Hand: If the injury is to your dominant hand, the impact on your quality of life and ability to work is rated higher, increasing the pain and suffering multiplier.
- Nerve Damage: Complications like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Median Nerve damage resulting from the trauma significantly increase the claim value.
How the Calculation Works
The Multiplier Method: Most injury calculations start by totaling your economic damages (medical bills + lost wages). A multiplier (typically between 1.5 and 5) is applied to the medical costs to estimate "Pain and Suffering."
For example, a minor sprain might use a 1.5x multiplier, while a shattered wrist requiring surgery and resulting in permanent stiffness might use a 4.0x or higher multiplier. The calculator above separates economic damages from the multiplier effect to give a realistic range.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Economic Damages are quantifiable financial losses. This includes the cost of X-rays, MRIs, surgery, physical therapy, and income lost while recovering.
Non-Economic Damages compensate for the intangible impact of the injury. For a wrist injury, this includes the inability to type, lift children, play sports, or perform daily hygiene tasks without pain.