Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by tanya

How to Claim for a Missed Lisfranc Fracture

 

Medical Negligence and Compensation

 

A Lisfranc injury is a serious injury and if it is missed because of medical negligence, you should know how to claim for a missed Lisfranc fracture. Although it is a relatively rare injury, if left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it may result in severe consequences.

A Lisfranc fracture is likely to have a considerable impact on mobility. Medical negligence is when care falls below an expected standard of a reasonably competent medical practitioner. Adding to that, medical negligence includes that a diagnosis failure caused your injury to worsen, and as a result you suffered measurable harm.

So, if you or a loved one has suffered because of a missed Lisfranc fracture, First Personal Injury can advise you on how to claim compensation.

 

Symptoms of a Lisfranc Fracture

A Lisfranc fracture is a midfoot injury, involving the tarsometatarsal joints. The metatarsal bones connect to the tarsal bones. These fractures are typically caused by trauma, such as falling with your foot twisted, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries.

 

Common symptoms of a Lisfranc injury include:

 

Swelling and bruising (especially on the bottom of the foot)

Pain when standing or walking

Inability to bear weight

Visible deformity in severe cases

 

Unfortunately, because these symptoms can overlap with less serious sprains, they may sometimes be misdiagnosed or completely missed, particularly in emergency departments.

 

Complications of a Missed Lisfranc Fracture

Reasons behind a missed Lisfranc fracture may often include:

 

Inadequate physical examination

Failure to order the correct imaging (e.g. weight-bearing X-rays, MRI, or CT scans)

Misinterpretation of X-rays

Assumption that it’s a minor sprain

 

In some cases, a Lisfranc injury will not be suspected and so the clinical tests necessary to diagnose the condition are not done. You could experience a significant delay in treatment leading to complications such as arthritis, chronic pain, and permanent disability.

 

Key Criteria In Medical Negligence?

Essentially to prove medical negligence, the care provided must fall below the standard expected of a reasonably competent professional. Regarding a missed Lisfranc fracture, negligence may be found if:

 

A competent medical practitioner would have correctly diagnosed the injury using standard procedures

The failure to diagnose caused your condition to worsen or become irreversible

You suffered measurable harm as a result (e.g., prolonged pain, loss of mobility, need for additional surgery)

 

This is known as breaching the duty of care, and the harm you suffered must be a direct consequence of that breach.

 

How To Claim Compensation for a Missed Lisfranc Fracture

If a Lisfranc fracture was missed or even delayed and this has led to a worse outcome, you may be entitled to medical negligence compensation. You will need to start your claim by doing the following:

 

Seek Medical Attention Consult a specialist for a second opinion. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment are your priority, while this will also serve as important evidence for your claim.

 

Request Your Medical Records This helps identify when and how your injury was missed. You are entitled to access your medical records.

 

Gather Documents Make sure you keep track of all your medical costs related to the injury and missed diagnosis. This may include notes on your treatment, pain and how it has impacted your life e.g. capability to work

 

What Does Compensation Cover?

Compensation for a missed Lisfranc fracture generally falls into two categories:

 

General damages – For pain, suffering, and loss of amenity

Special damages – Including lost income, travel costs, rehabilitation, care needs in the road ahead.

 

However, the total amount will depend on:

 

The severity of your injury

Whether you suffered long-term or permanent disability

The impact on your work and personal life

 

An experienced medical negligence solicitor will help you understand how much your claim is worth.

You generally have three years from the date the negligence occurred, or the date you became aware of the negligence. There are exceptions for children under 18 or those with mental incapacity.

Importantly, acting early gives your solicitor the best chance to gather medical records, expert opinions, and witness statements in order to present a solid case.

 

Finding an Experienced Solicitor in Medical Negligence

It is important to contact a solicitor who has good medical negligence experience as these cases can be complicated. Your lawyer will help you to:

 

Obtain expert medical opinions to support your case

Negotiate fair compensation on your behalf

Handle all paperwork and legal proceedings

Ensure your claim is filed within the legal timeframe

 

Get Help Today

If you believe you’ve suffered from a missed Lisfranc Fracture or it was not diagnosed in time due to medical negligence, you should take action as soon as possible. Such a missed fracture is not just an oversight but can result in complications, additional pain and harm to your health.

Our team at First Personal Injury is here to support you as you take the first steps toward making a compensation claim. We work with highly experienced lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, meaning you will only pay if you win your claim. They will assess the details of your case and advise whether your claim is likely to be valid.

Call us today on 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

 

This article provides general legal information and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.