Wrist – Injury Claim Worth_.

Based on the following sampling of case law, the range for general damages awarded for suffering from injuries to the wrist as a result of an accident is between $2,885 – $116,049 [adjusted for 2023 inflation rates]. The general damage award amounts for each individual case below have not been adjusted for inflation. For your convenience, the Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator can be accessed here.

As described in our General Damages Guide, these awards are only for general damages which compensate you for your pain and suffering. There are other types of damages that you may be entitled to claim, such as lost income and medical care costs, depending on the circumstances of your case. To assess the total value of your injury claim, try our Injury Claim Calculator or book a free consultation.

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The case law

Wood v. Wawanesa et al., 2019 NBQB 125

• The female plaintiff suffered soft tissue injuries to her wrist in a motor vehicle accident, causing no permanent impairment. The court concluded her injury fell under the regulations for minor injuries, and therefore she was awarded $2,500 in general damages.

Bezanson v. Hayter, 2008 NSSC 280

• The plaintiff suffered an injury to his wrist after he was hit in the wrist with a golf ball. The court found that though his injury was soft tissue in nature, it was above the level described in Smith v. Stubbert where the court awarded what would be equivalent to $67,000 in 2020. The court awarded the plaintiff $85,000 in general damages.

Perez v. Vancouver, 2002 BCSC 1733

• The plaintiff broke her left wrist in a slip and fall accident. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance, where her hand was placed in a splint. At trial, the court found that the plaintiff suffered pain and loss of mobility of her wrist, which has had a significant impact on her lifestyle. The court assessed her general damages at $50,000.

Jones v. Richard, 2000 CanLII 8316 (NB CA)

• The 43-year-old plaintiff took a wrong turn while looking for a bathroom in the mobile home of a friend and fell down an open, unguarded staircase. She suffered a comminuted fracture of her left wrist and developed left shoulder and neck pain, which left her with a tendency towards repetitive strain-type problems. Two years after the accident, the plaintiff developed Raynaud’s Phenomena and deconditioning of her upper left extremity. She received $60,000 in general damages.

Tupper v. Coldwell, 1997 NSCA 65

• The plaintiff, a mechanic, sprained his wrist in a car accident. He received $5,000 in general damages.

Mills v. Bourgeois Estate, 1995 CanLII 4504 (NS SC)

• The 22-year-old plaintiff was struck by a motor vehicle while riding his motorcycle. He suffered a fractured right medial distal tibia with puncture wound to his lateral leg forming a compound fracture, as well as a closed fracture of his right wrist. He received $45,000 in general damages.

Poirier c. Bourque, 1992 CanLII 13332 (NB QB)

• The 34-year-old male plaintiff suffered soft tissue injuries to his neck and hand following a motor vehicle accident. His injuries caused him to develop carpal tunnel syndrome and dysfunction of his right hand and wrist. His major complaint was that he would suffer from persistent hand cramping. He was awarded $25,000 in general damages.