Compartment Syndrome Claims

If you suffered avoidable harm because compartment syndrome was misdiagnosed or poorly treated, you may be entitled to make a compartment syndrome claim for compensation.

Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that requires urgent surgery. When doctors fail to recognise or treat it in time, the consequences can be devastating. These include permanent muscle damage, nerve injury, amputation and kidney failure.

We understand how distressing it is to suffer because of medical negligence, and we are here to support you during this difficult time. Our partner solicitors will be happy to offer you a free case assessment and advise you on your legal options with a no win no fee service.

To get started, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free consultation or request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• What is compartment syndrome?
• Am I eligible to make a compartment syndrome compensation claim?
• How do I make a claim for compartment syndrome negligence?
• What are the causes of compartment syndrome?
• What symptoms does compartment syndrome cause?
• How is compartment syndrome diagnosed and treated?
• What counts as negligence in compartment syndrome cases?
• What are the consequences of compartment syndrome negligence?
• What is the time limit to claim compensation for compartment syndrome negligence?
• How much compensation is a compartment syndrome claim worth?
• Can I make a medical negligence claim under a No Win No Fee agreement?
• How long do compartment syndrome claims take to settle?

What is compartment syndrome?

Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds up within a group of muscles, known as a compartment. This pressure reduces blood flow and prevents oxygen from reaching the cells, damaging the nerves and muscles and potentially causing tissue death.

If it happens suddenly, this can be a serious problem that needs urgent medical care. It can affect any muscle, but it most frequently develops in the lower legs and forearms.

There are two main types:

• Acute compartment syndrome. This is usually caused by a trauma such as a fracture or crush injury. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery.
• Chronic compartment syndrome. This develops gradually, often in athletes due to overuse, and usually improves with rest.

If medical professionals fail to recognise and treat acute compartment syndrome, you could suffer irreversible muscle damage. In this case, it may be possible to make a claim for medical negligence compensation.

Am I eligible to make a compartment syndrome compensation claim?

Not every poor outcome will amount to negligence and allow you to pursue a claim for compensation. To have a valid compartment syndrome claim, all of the following must be established:

• A duty of care. All medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and surgeons, owe their patients a duty of care.
• Breach of duty. It occurs when a healthcare provider’s actions or inactions fall below the standard expected of a competent practitioner.
• Causation. The negligent care directly caused or worsened your outcome. In other words, had your compartment syndrome been diagnosed or treated earlier, the permanent damage would have been prevented or minimised.
• Damages. All the losses you have suffered because of the negligence, including physical harm and financial strain.

An experienced personal injury solicitor can let you know if you qualify for compensation during a free and confidential case assessment.

How do I make a claim for compartment syndrome negligence?

To start a claim for compartment syndrome misdiagnosis, you must first contact a medical negligence solicitor to discuss what happened. If you can proceed, they will guide you through the claims process, offering you support and advice at every step. Your solicitor will:

• Gather supporting evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, expert medical reports, your testimony and financial documents.
• Calculate your compensation award based on the degree of pain and suffering caused to you and your financial losses.
• Send a letter of claim to the defendant, outlining the details of your case and the compensation you seek.
• Negotiate a settlement on your behalf or prepare to take your case to court if the defendant denies clinical negligence.

What are the causes of compartment syndrome?

Compartment syndrome is caused by increased pressure inside a muscle compartment, which restricts blood flow and deprives tissues of oxygen. The most common causes include:

• Severe fractures and crush injuries caused by road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and other traumatic incidents.
• Severe bruising or bleeding within the muscle after trauma or surgery.
• Tight bandages or plaster casts that restrict circulation.
• Repetitive stress, caused by activities such as running or cycling.
• Vascular injuries, such as blocked or damaged arteries and poor blood circulation.
• Surgery on a limb that causes swelling and increased pressure.

What symptoms does compartment syndrome cause?

The symptoms of compartment syndrome depend on the severity and stage of the condition, but typically include:

• Severe pain, which may feel like a deep ache or burning pain.
• Pain that worsens when the affected limb is moved or stretched.
• The affected muscle may feel swollen or tight.
• Numbness, weakness or a pins and needles sensation.
• Pale or shiny skin.

Sometimes, these are described as the six Ps of compartment syndrome:

• Pain: Pain that is out of proportion to the injury.
• Poikilothermia: The affected limb is colder than the surrounding area.
• Pallor: A pale or discoloured limb.
• Paraesthesia: Numbness and tingling sensations.
• Pulselessness: A faint or absent pulse due to a lack of blood flow.
• Paralysis: Loss of ability to move the limb or its digits.

A delay in diagnosis or treatment can cause severe permanent damage and may be grounds for a compartment syndrome compensation claim.

How is compartment syndrome diagnosed and treated?

Compartment syndrome must be diagnosed and treated quickly and accurately, as any delay can result in permanent damage or limb loss. Diagnosis involves:

• A physical examination to check for signs and symptoms such as pain and swelling.
• Using a specialist medical device to measure the pressure inside the compartment.
• X-rays to check if you have a bone fracture.
• MRI scans while you are resting and while you are exercising.
• Lab tests to check for an increase in creatine kinase due to muscle damage.

Acute compartment syndrome must be treated quickly to prevent the worsening of the condition and permanent damage.

That is achieved through emergency fasciotomy, a surgical procedure that involves making cuts around the muscle to relieve the pressure. This is often accompanied by pain medicine and physiotherapy to regain strength and movement in the affected body part.

If healthcare professionals fail to recognise warning signs and take prompt action to prevent lasting damage, this could amount to medical negligence.

What counts as negligence in compartment syndrome cases?

Negligence in a compartment syndrome case refers to substandard medical care that has resulted in avoidable harm. This can arise at various stages during the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Common examples include:

• Failure to recognise symptoms after an injury or surgical intervention.
• Delays in diagnosis by failing to carry out necessary tests.
• Delayed referral to a specialist or emergency medical care.
• Misinterpreting symptoms and normal post-surgical or post-trauma pain.
• Delays in performing emergency surgery once the condition was suspected and confirmed.
• Applying tight casts or splints and failing to monitor for complications.
• A failure to monitor and prevent compartment syndrome in patients who have suffered severe burns or limb surgery.

If you suffered as a result of compartment syndrome negligence, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back to find out if you are eligible to make a claim.

What are the consequences of compartment syndrome negligence?

A delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome can lead to permanent muscle damage and other complications, such as:

• Permanent muscle and nerve damage.
• Weakness, stiffness, paralysis and loss of limb function.
• Partial or complete amputation of the affected body part.
• Infections within the compartment, which can progress to sepsis.
• Chronic pain and hypersensitivity.
• Muscle contractures and deformities.
• Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue).
• Kidney damage or failure.
• If left untreated, the complications can be fatal.

If you or a member of your family suffered avoidable and unnecessary complications because of compartment syndrome left untreated, you may be entitled to compensation.

What is the time limit to claim compensation for compartment syndrome negligence?

There is a general three-year time limit to make a claim for compartment syndrome following negligent treatment. This is established under the Limitation Act 1980, which also provides the following exceptions:

• For children, the three-year limitation date does not begin until their 18th birthday.
• If the claimant is mentally incapacitated, there is no time limit for a litigation friend to bring a claim on their behalf.
• If you lost a loved one because of the poor diagnosis or treatment of compartment syndrome, you have three years from their death to make a fatal injury claim.

How much compensation is a compartment syndrome claim worth?

The amount of compensation awarded for compartment syndrome medical negligence cases is based on two types of damages:

• General damages cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
• Special damages cover related financial losses and expenses, such as further medical treatments, medical aids and loss of earnings.

According to our personal injury compensation calculator and the Judicial College Guidelines, you could receive:

• £27,760 to £96,250 for nerve damage to the leg, causing long-term disability.
• £76,650 to £87,410 for the loss of one hand.
• £66,930 to £87,410 for loss of one foot.
• £51,460 to £108,620 for severe psychiatric damage with a poor prognosis.

Can I make a medical negligence claim under a No Win No Fee agreement?

Yes. If you are eligible for compensation, the solicitors we partner with will handle your claim on a no win no fee basis, which means that:

• You pay nothing upfront to start your claim.
• There is no financial risk, because you don’t pay anything if your case fails.
• If you make a successful claim, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation payment (capped at 25%) for their work.

How long do compartment syndrome claims take to settle?

There is no timeframe to settle a claim for compartment syndrome. Each case is unique, and how long it takes to resolve will depend on several factors, including:

• The time needed to gather supporting evidence.
• Whether the defendant denies liability from the beginning.
• The type and severity of your complications.
• The length of negotiations.
• Whether you need to go to trial.

While straightforward cases can be settled within several months, complex claims where liability is disputed can take years to resolve. Your solicitor will aim to secure interim payments for you if you have pressing financial needs while the claim is ongoing.

If you suffered compartment syndrome complications due to a poor standard of care and you want to make a claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment and legal advice, with no obligation to proceed.

Last edited on 27th Oct 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.