By Lewis Cobain. Last Updated 14th January 2025. In this guide, we answer the question “how much compensation for a fractured or broken bone?” We’ll also look at average payouts for other types of bone fractures, like arms and hips. And we’ll take you through the personal injury claims process and explain how we can help you.
If you have been in an accident that led to a fractured or broken bone, this guide will help clarify your rights and whether or not you could make a broken bone compensation claim. You might wonder if it’s possible to be compensated for an accident in the workplace, and the answer is often yes. It is possible to fight for – and win – compensation even if it was an accident.
The time it takes for a fractured bone or broken bone to heal varies from person to person. If you have fractured or broken a bone in a workplace or any public location, it is important to understand your options and determine whether you are due compensation for your injuries.
If you’d like to claim or to find out more about how much compensation for a broken leg, arm or other bone you could receive, get in touch with our personal injury claims team at 0800 073 8804.
You can also check out our video below for a useful summary:
Select a Section:
- How Much Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone?
- What Are The Criteria To Claim A Broken Bone Compensation Payout?
- Evidence To Support Claiming Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone
- No Win No Fee Fractured Or Broken Bone Claims
- Call Legal Expert For Free Advice And To Start A Claim
How Much Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone?
Broken bone compensation amounts can be comprised of two separate heads of loss, these are:
- General damages: awarded for the pain and suffering caused by your accident.
- Special damages: awarded for associated financial losses.
When solicitors come to calculate a potential value for your claim, reference can be made to your medical evidence alongside the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
The JCG publication sets out the guideline award brackets for various injuries. We have set out a number of the JCG entries for fractures to illustrate how much compensation for a fractured or broken bone could be awarded.
Compensation Amounts
Please be advised that the first of these was not taken from the JCG. This information has been included to act as guidance only.
- Multiple very severe injuries with substantial financial losses – Up to £500,000 and above.
- Leg injuries – Severe (b)(i) – Injuries that fall short of amputation but are serious enough to be awarded at similar levels. – £117,460 to £165,860.
- Leg Injuries – Severe (b)(ii) – Mulitple fractures that have taken years to heal and cause permanent mobility problems – £66,920 to £109,290.
- Knee Injuries – Severe (a)(i) – Disruption of the joint with considerable pain and loss of function – £85,100 to £117,410.
- Knee Injuries – Severe (a)(iii) – Less severe injuries with continuing symptoms such as limitation of movement. – £31,960 to £53,030.
- Wrist Injuries – Complete loss of function (a) – £58,710 to £73,050.
- Wrist Injuries – Significant permanent disability (b) – £29,900 to £47,810.
- Elbow Injuries – Severe disability (a) – £47,810 to £66,920.
- Elbow Injuries – Less Severe (b) – Impairment of function but no significant disability – £19,100 to £39,070.
- Ankle Injuries – Modest (d) – Less serious, minor or undisplaced fractures. – Up to £16,770.
Can I Claim Back Financial Losses Too?
In certain cases, it is possible to also receive compensation for special damages, a secondary head of loss. Its aim is to reimburse you for ways in which your broken or fractured bone injury has impacted your finances. For example, you might have:
- Missed a significant amount of time at work, experiencing a loss of earnings and other workplace bonuses as a result.
- Paid medical bills for necessary treatment and rehabilitation.
- Spent money on travel that you didn’t have to prior to the accident.
- Faced costs for adapting your home or buying equipment to help with mobility.
These are just some examples of financial loss you could claim for. To have a chance of receiving special damages compensation, it is important that you gather receipts, invoices, payslips and any other documents you can use as proof.
For a more detailed discussion about personal injury compensation and what you might be able to claim for, just call our free helpline through the number at the top of the page.
What Are The Criteria To Claim A Broken Bone Compensation Payout?
If you suffered a broken bone injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you might be wondering if you can claim compensation. In order to form the basis of a valid personal injury claim, your case must meet certain criteria.
You must be able to prove that you were injured because another party did not uphold their duty of care. This is a legal responsibility for someone else’s health and safety.
In different scenarios, this duty of care will fall on different people. For example, in the workplace, your employer owes you a duty of care.
This is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). In this case, if you were to claim compensation for a broken ankle, this claim would be made against your employer.
However, in a public place, the duty of care is owed by the person in control of the space. Their responsibilities are outlined by the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957 (OLA).
So, if you were claiming broken ankle compensation after an accident in a shop, this claim would be made against the organisation in control of the space. We will explore these duties of care in more depth further into this guide.
Read on to get more information on broken bone compensation amounts, or contact our team today to get started.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Broken Bone Compensation?
Whether you’ve suffered a broken arm, leg fracture, or any other kind of broken bone, the legal time limit for claims remains the same. As per the Limitation Act 1980, the general time limit is 3-years from the date of the injury.
There are two exceptions to the 3-year rule:
- Injuries to under 18s – Due to the fact that children are not permitted to make their own claim, their time limit is suspended until their 18th Before then, if a claim is to be made on their behalf, a litigation friend must be appointed to do so.
- Those with reduced mental capacities – If the injured party lacks the mental capacity to claim, their time limit is suspended. However, if they ever reach a point where they become capable of making their own claim, the time limit would then begin. Before this date, a litigation friend must also be appointed if a claim is to be made on their behalf.
For more information on amounts for broken bone claims such as broken leg compensation payouts, get in touch with our advisors today.
Evidence To Support Claiming Compensation For A Fractured Or Broken Bone
If you’ve suffered a fractured or broken bone, one of the most important steps in the personal injury claims process is collecting evidence. Evidence is important, as it can demonstrate who is responsible for your injuries, as well as how they occurred and how they will affect you going forwards.
Some examples of evidence that you could use to help you claim for a fractured bone could include:
- Witness statements: By taking down the contact details of potential witnesses, they could provide a statement about the accident at a later date.
- Photographs: Taking photographs of the accident scene that caused your broken bone injuries can help prove how it happened.
- Medical records: Your medical records can also give insight into the severity of your broken or fractured bone, as well as the treatment that you have received and will need going forward.
- CCTV footage: If your accident was caught on CCTV, it’s possible that you could request this footage and use it as evidence in your claim.
If you choose to work with a solicitor, they will be able to help you gather evidence to further support your claim. To learn more about the broken bone compensation claims process, contact our team of advisors today. Or, read on to find out how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you get started.
No Win No Fee Fractured Or Broken Bone Claims
Our solicitors could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement, which is a type of No Win No Fee.
Under a CFA, you won’t be expected to pay a fee to your personal injury solicitor in order for them to start working on your claim, nor will you be asked to pay for their ongoing work. Similarly, if your claim fails, they won’t take a fee for the services.
If your broken bone injury compensation claim succeeds, your personal injury solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation as a small percentage. However, the percentage they take is restricted under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
Speak to our advisors if you have any questions about No Win No Fee solicitors or broken bone compensation amounts.
They can offer a free consultation, during which they can answer any questions you might have, and they may be able to connect you with a solicitor from our panel. Below are some ways to connect with our team:
- Call us on 0800 073 8804
- Contact us online
- Use our 24/7 live chat feature
Thank you for reading our guide on how much compensation for a fractured or broken bone. If you have any further questions about how compensation for broken bones could be awarded, please get in touch.
