By Mel Ryan. Last Updated 6th December 2024. Welcome to our guide on claiming compensation for a fractured sternum. In this guide, we look at a specific case study of when a client made a fractured sternum claim with us after a road traffic accident.
Whether you have been in a road traffic accident, an accident at work, or a public place accident, you could potentially be entitled to claim compensation if you were injured due to a liable third party breaching their duty of care.
In addition, we look at in detail how personal injury compensation is calculated and what factors could potentially affect how much a successful claim is worth.
If you would like to check whether you’re eligible to make a fractured sternum claim, please contact us for free today. Our team can discuss with you whether there is an average settlement for a fractured sternum in the UK, how a No Win No Fee solicitor could potentially help you, and more.
Contact our advisors:
- Telephone on 0800 073 8804
- You can contact us online.
- Speak to an advisor using the live chat feature.
Select a Section
- What Fractured Sternum Injuries Were Sustained During this Case?
- Building a Case, How a Personal Injury Solicitor Helped Secure Compensation For A Fractured Sternum
- What Is The Average Compensation For A Fractured Sternum?
- No Win No Fee Solicitors
- Contact Legal Expert Today
What Fractured Sternum Injuries Were Sustained During this Case?
In this case study, we are going to look at the case of Mrs H (we have abbreviated for reasons of privacy) who was 57 years old at the time of the accident and suffered a fractured sternum in a car accident, amongst other serious injuries. Mrs H’s injuries occurred when her car was involved in a head-on collision, for which the other driver admitted full liability.
Unfortunately, the car accident caused Mrs H several serious injuries, including a fractured sternum. Other injuries Mrs H sustained included a head injury, which meant a moderately severe brain injury. Some of the consequences of this head injury included post-traumatic amnesia, and a fracture of the left orbital floor (part of the eye socket), which resulted in a sunken eye that had to be fixed by surgery. As well as this she suffered optical nerve damage, which caused numbness to the left side of her face.
Mrs H also sustained a fractured sternum in this accident, which resulted in difficulty breathing. How long does it take to recover from a broken sternum? Fractured sternum recovery time can be between 4 to 6 weeks.
Unfortunately even after the fracture and any bruising have healed, the victim can still experience discomfort and pain for some time after that. Other injuries Miss H suffered include: soft tissue injuries to both thumbs, and a laceration to her right Achilles tendon which required stitches. Because of the traumatic nature of her car accident, Mrs H also suffered psychological damage and had to go to see a therapist.
After four months Mrs H was able to return to her previous job. Unfortunately, during her recovery time, she had endured a lot of pain and also lost income on account of being unable to work.
What can you do for a fractured sternum?
According to the NHS guide on sternum fractures, treatment can differ depending on how the bone broke and the related symptoms. You may require surgery, or the fracture may heal on its own. You should always seek medical attention if you suspect you’ve fractured your sternum to see what treatment you need.
If you suffer from pain in your shoulder or arms as a result, this could also be considered in the evaluation of your claim. If you get in touch with our team today, they can provide you with more information about how your claim could be valued, and connect you with an expert solicitor.
Building a Case, How a Personal Injury Solicitor Helped Secure Compensation For A Fractured Sternum
If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, and want to sue the negligent party who caused your accident for compensation, then you need to hire a personal injury solicitor to help you make your claim. Mrs H hired a personal injury solicitor to help her make a claim for a broken sternum car accident settlement, which would also take into account her other injuries.
Before making the claim, the team researched the value of her fractured sternum compensation claim to ensure the Defendant’s team didn’t intentionally lowball the claim, taking into account reports from several medical experts. Unfortunately, a Defendant’s legal representative or insurer will often deliberately undervalue what a claim is worth, taking advantage of the claimant’s lack of knowledge in the area this is why it is important to hire a personal injury solicitor who can accurately determine how much a fractured sternum is worth, so you don’t get short-changed on your claim.
What Is The Average Compensation For A Fractured Sternum?
There is no set average settlement for a fractured sternum because all personal injury claims are unique. However, we can tell you how compensation for a fractured sternum is calculated.
If your personal injury claim is successful, your compensation may be made up of two separate heads of claim – general and special damages. You will definitely be awarded general damages, and possibly awarded special damages too.
General damages is the head of claim that compensates you for how you have suffered physically and psychologically due to your fractured sternum. As such, here are some factors that are taken into account under this head of claim:
- Loss of amenity.
- How long the recovery period is.
- The severity of your pain.
To value this head of claim, legal professionals may use your medical records and the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
The JCG is a document that contains guideline compensation brackets for different types of injuries and illnesses.
Guideline Compensation Table
In the table below, we have included some chest injuries and their accompanying guideline compensation brackets found in the JCG. Please note that the first figure is not from the JCG.
Please also note that none of these guideline figures can be guaranteed for your specific case, as all claims are unique.
| Injury | Guideline Amount |
|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with financial losses | Up to £250,000+ |
| Chest (a) | £122,850 to £183,190 |
| Chest (b) | £80,240 to £122,850 |
| Chest (c) | £38,210 to £66,920 |
| Chest (d) | £15,370 to £21,920 |
| Chest (f) | £2,680 to £6,500 |
| Chest (g) | Up to £4,820 |
Special Damages
Special damages is the head of claim that compensates you for how you have suffered financially due to your fractured sternum. This includes:
- Loss of earnings for not being able to work until you recover.
- The cost of mobility aid.
- Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
Since you are not guaranteed to be awarded special damages if your claim is successful, it is important to gather as much evidence of your injury’s financial losses as possible. This includes payslips, receipts, travel tickets, bank statements, and invoices.
To learn more about compensation for a fractured sternum and how it is calculated, please contact our team today.
Case Study Example
Before the sternum fracture compensation settlement was finalised, Mrs H’s solicitors managed to secure some interim compensation payments. As she was left unable to work for several months, this helped cover her loss of income and medical expenses such as her treatment and transport costs. Fortunately in this case the defendant admitted full liability and the broken sternum car accident settlement did not proceed to court. Mrs H was awarded damages of £125,000 for her injuries.
No Win No Fee Solicitors
If you have an eligible fractured sternum compensation claim, then one of our solicitors may offer to take on your case on a No Win No Fee basis. By calling our advisers now, you can have your case assessed for free. During this free consultation, you can receive free advice, establish if you are eligible to claim fractured sternum compensation and be connected with one of our expert solicitors.
Our No Win No Fee solicitors may ask you to enter into a Conditional Fee Agreement CFA. When working with a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis, you generally should benefit from the following:
- Not having to pay the solicitor upfront for the service they are going to provide.
- As your case progresses and moves forward, no fees for the solicitor’s service are needed.
- Claims that do not succeed require no fees to be paid.
Under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, solicitors who provide their service in line with the regulations laid out in the CFA can take a success fee when the claim is won. This fee is capped, so you will always receive the majority of your compensation.
Contact Legal Expert Today
- Telephone on 0800 073 8804
- You can contact us online.
- Speak to an advisor using the live chat feature.
Useful Links
How Much Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone?
Help and advice for claimants involved in an accident that left them with a fractured or broken bone. Advice for claiming compensation for fractured bone injuries, or broken bone injuries.
How Much Can I Claim For A Car Accident Claim?
Help and advice for claimants involved in a car accident that left them with injuries. Advice for claiming compensation for road traffic and car accidents.
