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J Sullivan  
#1 Posted : 31 August 2021 11:45:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
J Sullivan

Hi all 

Could anyone advise on this for me please 

If  someone drops some material on their arm and it appears to be a minor injury , small cut , small bruise after a visit to the local hospital they confirm its bruising only ( no Xray taken ) .. The person in question is happy to return to work , no time off taken or light duties however  34  days later still has some pain .

The individual is encouraged to get it checked again the hospital has now undertaken an Xray and has  confirmed it appears to be fractured .. My understanding this is no longer a RIDDOR reportable ? im I right 

thanks in advance .. john 

 

Edited by user 31 August 2021 14:05:19(UTC)  | Reason: looking for a reply / support

MrBrightside  
#2 Posted : 31 August 2021 14:15:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MrBrightside

As its a confirmed fracture it would still be reportable, even thought it happend 34 days agao. Just make sure you are very clear about the timeline when you make the report.

thanks 1 user thanked MrBrightside for this useful post.
J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC)
Evans38004  
#3 Posted : 31 August 2021 14:35:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Evans38004

I'd agree reportable - unless your investigarion would conclude that there may have been other reasons how the arm was broken during the 34 days (e.g. IP is a karate student)

Curious, has the IP taken any time off now, following the latest diagnosis?

How healed was / is the fracture after 34 days - when my son broke his arm last year, the plaster was off within 3 weeks. I hope your IP heals properly an dquickly.

thanks 2 users thanked Evans38004 for this useful post.
J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#4 Posted : 31 August 2021 14:52:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes Bone fractures include a break, crack or chip. They are reportable when diagnosed or confirmed by a doctor, including when they are specified on a GP 'fit note'. In some cases, there may be no definitive evidence of a fracture (eg if an X-ray is not taken), but the injury will still be reportable if a doctor considers it is likely that there is a fracture. Self-diagnosed 'suspected fractures' are not reportable.

Must admit the 34 days put some doubt but reading the guidance again reportable.

With Mr Brightside be very specific about the reporting dates - the X-ray confirmation is the date upon which the fracture became reportable even though the contributory incident happened 34 days prior

thanks 4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC), J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#5 Posted : 31 August 2021 14:52:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes Bone fractures include a break, crack or chip. They are reportable when diagnosed or confirmed by a doctor, including when they are specified on a GP 'fit note'. In some cases, there may be no definitive evidence of a fracture (eg if an X-ray is not taken), but the injury will still be reportable if a doctor considers it is likely that there is a fracture. Self-diagnosed 'suspected fractures' are not reportable.

Must admit the 34 days put some doubt but reading the guidance again reportable.

With Mr Brightside be very specific about the reporting dates - the X-ray confirmation is the date upon which the fracture became reportable even though the contributory incident happened 34 days prior

thanks 4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC), J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC)
Kate  
#6 Posted : 31 August 2021 14:53:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

Fractures are sometimes missed in this way.  Delayed diagnosis does not make the injury non-reportable, it just gives you an excuse for your report being late and as mentioned above, you need to explain this in your report. I have myself put in a RIDDOR report of a major injury late for just this reason (A&E scoffed at the idea that there was a fracture, but when the injury didn't heal an X-ray was finally done and the fracture found).  In my case I think I'd originally reported it as a lost-time injury, but then I re-reported it as a major (the system lets you update on an existing report in this way.)

thanks 4 users thanked Kate for this useful post.
chris42 on 31/08/2021(UTC), J Sullivan on 01/09/2021(UTC), HSSnail on 01/09/2021(UTC), peter gotch on 01/09/2021(UTC)
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