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Hand and Wrist Fracture and Injury Settlements (Car Accidents and More)
A shattered wrist does more than just hurt—it stops your life. Between surgery, heavy casts, and insurance adjusters who treat your injury like a minor inconvenience, the ‘recovery’ process is often a battle.
Whether you were hit by a distracted driver, fell at a business, or were injured on a cruise ship, we specialize in forcing insurers like State Farm to pay the full value for your hardware, surgery, and lost time.
Hand and wrist injuries vary in complexity, but they all share one thing: they are worth significantly more when you can prove the long-term impact on your daily life.
To help you understand the potential value of your claim, I have analyzed several of our firm’s settlements alongside notable Florida jury verdicts from other cases.
$479,000 Wrist Fracture Surgery Settlement After Months of Delays
While State Farm is known for paying below average, we proved that persistence can still force them to pay fair value—just like in Maria’s case, which ultimately settled for $479,000.
At first, Maria (not her real name) didn’t even know who insured the driver who hit her — or that the fight for fair payment would drag on for months.
The crash happened when another driver suddenly tried to make a turn across Maria’s lane at an intersection in Pembroke Pines. Maria had the green light, but there was no time to stop. The impact crushed the front of her car and left her with a fractured wrist, ruptured breast implants, and a head injury.
Maria’s SUV after the crash — crushed from the front impact.
Maria’s right arm was in a cast after surgery, and even simple things like buttoning a shirt or washing her hair were a struggle.
This photo of Maria in her hospital bed with a bulky post-surgical cast shows why even the simplest daily tasks became an agonizing struggle. We used these records of her hospitalization to prove the severity of her pain and suffering to State Farm.
Still, she pushed through while we began tracking down every lead we could find.
Each day that passed without answers made her more anxious. Her savings were draining fast, and she feared she’d never see a dime.
While we were chasing leads and waiting for answers, Maria was learning how to get dressed with one hand.
How We Proved the Value of Maria’s Internal Hardware
State Farm’s initial low offers ignored the reality of Maria’s injury. This X-ray shows the extensive internal hardware—plates and screws in both bones—that was required to repair her wrist. We used this indisputable medical proof to secure a $479,000 settlement.
A few months later, she had to resign from her job because the company needed her to work more hours than she could physically or emotionally handle after the crash.
Tracking Down the Right Insurer
We called her own carrier, Progressive, to check the claim and see if they knew who the at-fault driver’s insurer was. They didn’t. So we ordered the crash report — Maria only had a case ID — and found out the responding agency was different from what she’d been told. The report helped, but I still wanted to talk with a listed witness.
We called Allstate — the insurer listed on the crash report — but they hadn’t even set up a claim. We sent letters of representation to Allstate, the van owner, and the driver by certified mail.
Allstate eventually said the other driver wasn’t their insured. They directed us to Progressive, who also turned out to be the wrong insurer.
That was the moment Maria nearly gave up hope. She told me she couldn’t take another dead end — she felt invisible, like no one cared what happened to her.
It finally took me calling the business that owned the other vehicle myself to learn that State Farm actually insured them.
We also checked property records to see if the witness owned the condo listed on the report — he didn’t — which meant we’d have to keep digging. I even drove to the address listed for the witness myself, but I couldn’t gain access to the apartment unit.
We contacted Pembroke Pines PD to ask about body-worn and intersection-camera footage. We even checked social media and took multiple screenshots of the crash scene to preserve evidence.
Early Delays and Adjuster Frustration
Thirty days after the crash, State Farm still hadn’t taken their driver’s statement. When they finally accepted liability, I pressed the adjuster to arrange a rental car that same call — and she did.
The next day, I asked the State Farm adjuster what she’d learned from her insured. She said their driver admitted realizing mid-turn that he was going the wrong way and that Maria had a green light. Still, getting updates felt like pulling teeth. We’d reach her maybe one in every eight calls.
When she finally called, she said they handle “loss of use” only when they settle the “injury” claim — then claimed our client didn’t even have an injury claim open. I reminded her Maria had undergone wrist surgery. She apologized, blaming claim volume, and later that day offered $1,840 for loss of use, which she agreed to overnight to Maria. That small win lifted Maria’s spirits, but the bigger fight was just starting.
State Farm’s Low Offers and How We Fought Back
State Farm’s first offer for Maria’s injury claim was $65,000 — far below fair value for a case involving a broken wrist with surgery, ruptured breast implants, and a closed-head injury.
Their offers were so far below the claim’s fair value that I told my paralegal I’d never insure my own vehicles with State Farm.
I stayed firm. I reminded them their own driver admitted fault and backed it up with medical records, photos, and time-stamped evidence.
Ten days later, they raised their offer to $80,000. A month after that, it went up to $170,000. Just sixteen days later, it climbed again to $212,000.
Eventually, State Farm hired a lawyer to represent their insured. To make it clear we were ready to move forward, I sent State Farm and their attorney a drafted lawsuit showing we were prepared to file if they didn’t pay a fair amount.
We were ready to file and take them to court — but Maria was scared. She’d already lost months of peace and income, and she didn’t know if she could handle the stress of a lawsuit. This was the make-or-break moment.
If they didn’t budge soon, Maria risked losing even more time, money, and hope.
After months of pressure and countless ignored calls, they finally came up to $381,000, and ultimately $479,000. We settled Maria’s personal injury claim for $479,000.
After months of silence and stonewalling, State Farm finally gave in and paid.
When I told Maria the amount over the phone, she went completely quiet for a few seconds — then said, “Are you serious?” She couldn’t believe it was finally over, after all those months of waiting and fighting just to be heard.
Redacted copy of State Farm’s $479,000 settlement check payable to my firm.
One of her health insurers had paid nearly $15,000 of her medical bills, but we convinced them to completely waive their claim for reimbursement. That alone saved Maria thousands and helped her keep more of her settlement.
After lawyer’s fees and medical bills, Maria kept over $309,000.
If you’re fighting with State Farm and they won’t take your injury seriously, my consultations are free — and most clients are glad they called.
You need to know the anatomy of the wrist if you want to maximize the value of a wrist injury case. Below is a diagram of the hand and wrist.
May Be Hard To Get Money for Pain & Suffering for a Small Hand Injury in a Car Accident Case
In many Florida car accident cases, you need have a permanent injury in order to get any money for pain and suffering. This can be tough if you just have hand pain without a tear or fracture.
How Much Is a Hand Fracture Worth?
In Florida, the full value that I use as a starting point only, of the pain and suffering (component of for a hand fracture without surgery) as a result of an accident due to someone else’s negligence is approximately $35,000 to $70,000 assuming that it heals well and there is little disability.
This full value is for settlement purposes.
How Surgery to Your Broken Hand Affects Your Case and Settlement
If you have surgery to your broken hand, and hardware is put inside (open reduction internal fixation), the full value for pain and suffering component may be upwards of $150,000.
“Full value of pain and suffering” refers to pain and suffering without any reductions for your fault and other factors. You may also be able to get money for lost wages,medical bills or punitive damages.
Let’s look at some hand injury settlements.
Driver Gets $125K Settlement for Hand Fracture (and other injury)
Driver Gets $10,000 Settlement for Sprained Wrist and Other Injuries
A driver crashed into our client’s car in Hollywood, Broward County, Florida.
This was a hit and run crash. The other driver left the accident scene. My client’s car was heavily damaged.
A tow truck removed our client’s car from the accident scene. Our client was injured.
An ambulance transported her to Memorial Regional Hospital in Broward County, Florida.
A doctor diagnosed with her with a sprained wrist. Her wrist pain went away.
The doctor also diagnosed with her back, neck pain and headaches.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Paid the Settlement
Our client had uninsured motorist (UM) insurance with American Vehicle Insurance Company. They paid us the $10,000 policy limits. This insurer has since changed its name to Federated National Insurance Company.
They are based in Sunrise, Broward County, Florida. They have a reputation as being below average in paying Florida personal injury claims.
We made a UM injury claim with her insurance company. All the letters that her UM carrier sent to us had their name listed as Superior Adjusting, Inc.
Value of Pain and Suffering Component for Carpal Tunnel Surgery ($25,000 to $50,000)
In Florida, in an accident caused by someone else, the settlement value of pain and suffering for carpal tunnel surgery is $25,000 and $50,000. However, it depends upon the disability that you are left with.
Cruise Passenger Breaks Both Wrists After Fall (Gets No Compensation)
This isn’t my case. The Pizzinos took a cruise on one of Norwegian’s ships, the Sky.
The Sky had a coffee bar where Dimitur Hulea worked as a part-time barista. One of Hulea’s responsibilities was to clean the coffee bar after it closed at midnight.
The coffee bar did not have the appropriate facilities. Thus, to clean the coffee bar Hulea had to retrieve two buckets of liquid (one containing a water/bleach mixture, and one containing only water) from the Sky’s casino.
In doing so, Hulea had to carry the buckets, one at a time, down a corridor that connected the casino to the coffee bar. Hulea filled the buckets to three quarters full.
Barista Says He Never Spilled Liquid
He testified that he never spilled liquid from the buckets when transporting them down the corridor. Closed circuit television footage from the night when Pizzino slipped shows Hulea walking a bucket to the coffee bar at approximately 12:38 a.m.
Although he was not present at that time, Pizzino’s husband, David, was allowed to testify based on the video that the bucket appeared to tilt to the left and hit Hulea’s right knee as he approached the coffee bar.
About ten minutes later, Hulea left the coffee bar with two empty buckets and returned with one bucket filled with liquid.
Antoinette Pizzino did not notice any liquid on the ground as she walked. As she neared the coffee bar, she fell forward onto the ground, resulting in injuries including two broken wrists.
At that point, Pizzino noticed that there was liquid on the floor where she fell; more specifically, she testified that there were four to six inch puddles on the floor of the corridor.
Her husband, David, also testified that there was water on the floor where Pizzino slipped. There was no “wet floor” sign present near the coffee bar.
Pizzino hired a Miami cruise injury attorney and sued Norwegian in Miami, Florida.
Many Cruise Passenger Lawsuits Must Be Filed in Miami (Even if Cruise Sails from Elsewhere)
(Quick side note: Personal injury lawsuits against Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean must be filed in Miami. The injured passenger needs to hire a lawyer who is licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. That is federal court. I am licensed in this court.)
Pizzino claimed Norwegian had negligently created and failed to eliminate a hazardous condition, the wet spot near the coffee bar. She claimed that Norwegian’s negligence caused her injuries.
Trial is unpredictable. Cruise passengers, and people in general, don’t always win slip and fall cases. Slip and fall cases are difficult.
The case is Antoinette Pizzino v NCL (Bahamas) Ltd, a Bermuda Company, d.b.a Norwegian Cruise Line.
Jury Awards $140,228.56 for Broken Wrist from Slip and Fall
A Lueken Big Town store in Oldsmar, Florida
This isn’t my case. Osmulski shattered her right wrist after slipping and falling in a store owned by Oldsmar Fine Wine, Inc. (OFW). The store was doing business as Lueken Liquor.
She underwent two surgeries to repair her wrist.
Jury Heard that Shopper Used Marijuana on the Day of the Incident
The jury heard evidence of the customer’s marijuana on the day of the incident. In fact, the jury asked numerous questions regarding he marijuana use.
She hired an expert toxicologist, Ronald R. Bell, who filed his affidavit stating:
that Ms. Osmulski was not experiencing any impairment of her normal faculties at the time of the accident.
Experts testified at trial that additional surgeries may be needed in the future. After a jury trial, a jury determined Osmulski was 65% liable and OFW was 35% liable.
Thus, the verdict was reduced by 65% because she was 65% at fault for her fall. Basically, she was only entitled to 35% of the verdict.
The full verdict was for $140,228.56. Past medical expenses were $54,228.56; future medical expenses were $36,000.
The customer’s attorney asked the court to increase the verdict. This is called an additur.
She May Need 3 Future Surgeries, Which Typically Increases Value
Her lawyer claimed that the only evidence regarding her future medical care needs was that she may require three (3) future surgeries. The jury awarded the cost of 2 of the 3 surgeries.
The only medical testimony was that she has a permanent injury, which includes arthritis in the wrist. It will get worse over time. A prognosis of arthritis usually increases the value of pain and suffering.
The court refused to increase the award.
The trial court entered final judgment in Osmulski’s favor in an amount of $45,123.84 plus an additional $39,612.02 for costs.
The video evidence of the incident was automatically deleted from OFW’s video surveillance cameras. Therefore, it was not available to be discovered.
Osmulski requested that the judge tell the jury that OFW was negligent or that the missing video would be unfavorable to OFW. The trial court declined to give the requested jury instruction.
Shopper Didn’t Asking the Store to Preserve Video
The judge ruled that there could be no spoliation (destruction) of this evidence because Osmulski had not asked OFW to preserve it.
Within a week of the incident, Osmulski and OFW’s insurance company communicated several times. Osmulski gave a recorded statement to an agent of OFW’s insurance carrier. A slip and fall victim should never give a recorded statement to a store’s insurer.
When asked how the incident happened, Osmulski stated that she slipped about two steps beyond the front door mat when she entered OFW’s store.
Osmulski further explained that the mat was wet because it had been raining that day. Osmulski informed OFW’s insurance company about her first surgery and about how much time she had missed from work as a result of her injury.
The insurance company told Osmulski that after she completed her medical treatment, the insurance company would be able to follow up on her claim for pain and suffering, medical bills, and anything else.
Lady Bitten By Jaguar at Zoo Gets $139,498 for Thumb Amputation
This isn’t my case. A jury awarded $139,498 to a woman who was bitten by a jaguar at the zoo. As a result, she had her thumb was amputated (lost) as well as pieces of her hand.
$100,000 of the verdict was for in pain and suffering. The trial was in 2012. The case is Russell v. Berens f/k/a Greene and Panther Ridge Conservation Center Inc.
Should You Immediately Hire A Lawyer if Someone Caused Your Hand Injury in an Accident?
It depends. If your hand injury is not very painful and your hand is not deformed, it you may be OK to wait until the next day to hire a lawyer.
There are over 11 reasons to hire a Florida accident lawyer. If the injury is very painful, if your hand is deformed or numb, and your hand is not pink, you should immediately hire a lawyer.
We want to represent you if you were injured in an accident in Florida. If you live in Florida but were injured in another state we may also be able to represent you.
