By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 11th September 2023. Have you suffered a fractured sternum, bruised sternum or a broken sternum in an accident that wasn’t your fault? Whether you suffered a broken sternum in a car accident, bicycle accident, accident at work or an accident in a public place like a shop or restaurant, then you could be entitled to make a fractured sternum claim. Trust Legal Expert to help you managed your claim for compensation. We are a trusted legal advisor. Call Legal Expert now on 0800 073 8804 for your free consultation. We will tell you whether or not you have a valid compensation claim case, advise you on how much your fractured sternum injury settlement could be worth and match you to the best personal injury solicitor to handle your case, all at no extra cost to you.
Fractured sternum claims
In this case study, we are going to look at the case of Mr E (whose name we have abbreviated to protect his privacy). Mr E works as a Police Special Constable and Claims Handler and was 30 years old at the time of his accident. The accident occurred when he was riding home from work, using a cycle lane. A car was parked half off and half off the cycle lane. As he rode by the car, the driver opened the door. Mr E was unable to swerve as he would have been hit by a passing car and had no choice but to be hit by the car door. Mr E came off the bike, hit the windscreen of the car behind him, bounced onto the car bonnet, then finally hit the ground. Mr E became unconscious but was told later that he suffered a total heart block and his body went into shock by eyewitnesses. Unfortunately, it took 40 minutes for a rapid response vehicle to arrive, and an hour for an ambulance to get to the scene of the accident.
Details of the Claimants Injuries, Including a Fractured Sternum
Once the ambulance arrived Mr E was rushed to the emergency trauma unit at Wythenshawe Hospital. Because of the impact, he had suffered he was considered a special case. His condition was stabilised and he was kept in for one week for treatment on the general ward. The injuries Mr E suffered were a fractured sternum (also known as a breastbone), fractured ribs, and a punctured hole in his chest.
As you can imagine the fractured sternum injury had plenty of long-term effects. Mr E had to take three weeks off work but suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his ordeal, which affected his police work. His relationship broke down and he described himself taking “three years to get back together again” psychologically speaking. Physically he was also left with scars on his chest from his fractured sternum injury and cartilage lumps. Despite his fractured sternum recovery, his heart has been affected and he may need an operation in the future, which could affect his career in the police force.
The Fractured Sternum Claim
Mr E decided to pursue a fractured sternum claim for compensation and hired a personal injury solicitor to help him do so. Unfortunately the Defendant, the driver who opened their car door onto the cycle lane and hit Mr E refused to admit liability and blamed Mr E for the accident, which caused the Claimant further psychological stress and made the fractured sternum claim more complicated than it needed to be. The fractured sternum claim went to court because of this.
Fractured Sternum Injury Settlement
The day before the fractured sternum claim was due to proceeded to court, the Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr E was awarded £30,000 as a fractured sternum injury settlement.
What Is The Average Settlement For A Fractured Sternum?
If you have a broken sternum, you may be wondering what the average settlement is. Since compensation is calculated on a case-by-case basis depending on the unique circumstances of each claim, we can’t provide an average settlement for a fractured sternum.
However, you can still get a broad idea of the amount you could potentially receive through the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which provides guideline compensation brackets for personal injury claims. This document helps solicitors calculate the general damages head of your claim. This head of your claim addresses your injuries as well as the suffering and pain you endure because of them.
In the table below, you can find some examples of JCG compensation brackets that could relate to a broken sternum.
| Injury Type | Compensation Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chest Injuries (c) | £31,310 to £54,830 | Some continuing disability caused by damage to the lungs and the chest. |
| Chest Injuries (g) | Up to £3,950 | Rib fractures or soft tissue injuries that cause serious pain. |
| Chest Injuries (f) | £2,190 to £5,320 | Injuries that lead to a collapsed lung which results in a full recovery. |
| Fracture of Clavicle | £5,150 to £12,240 | Consideration in this bracket is given to the extent of the fracture and residual disability. |
You could also be eligible for special damages. This head of claim addresses the financial losses you suffer because of your injuries. For example, this head could cover the cost of:
- Medical bills
- Mobility aids
- Prescriptions
- Lost earnings
- Travel expenses
For more information on claiming compensation for a broken sternum, get in touch with our team.
Fractured Sternum Claim With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
If you are eligible to seek fractured sternum compensation, you may wish to have a solicitor help you. One of our personal injury solicitors could support your claim if it’s valid. They typically offer their services under a type of No Win No Fee arrangement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
When your solicitor offers their services under this type of arrangement, you generally won’t pay any upfront or ongoing fees towards their work on your case. Furthermore, you won’t be asked for a payment if you are not awarded compensation following an unsuccessful claim.
However, if your claim has a positive outcome, your solicitor will take a success fee out of your award. The amount that can be taken as this fee is a legally capped percentage.
If you would like to discuss your eligibility to claim personal injury compensation, contact an advisor from our team. If it seems like you have valid grounds to claim, they could pass you onto one of our solicitors.
To contact an advisor:
- Fill in our ‘claim online’ form for a call back.
- Call 0800 073 8804
- Connect using our live chat feature.
Useful Links
How Much Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone?
Help and advice for Claimants involved in an accident which 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 Cycling Accident Claim?
Help and advice for Claimants involved in a cycling accident which left them with injuries. Advice for claiming compensation for road traffic and cycling accidents.
Read our hip replacement compensation case study to learn about claiming for hip replacement injuries.
