Broken Collarbone Compensation Claims

A broken collarbone or clavicle is one of the most common acute injuries in the shoulder area. It can be extremely painful and prevent you from working and carrying out your daily activities. This can also lead to stress, anxiety, and out-of-pocket financial losses and expenses.

The most common causes of a collarbone fracture are falls or blows to the shoulder area. These can be due to road and workplace accidents, slips or trips, sports trauma, and playground accidents in children. If you or a loved one were injured due to someone else’s fault, you might be eligible to claim broken collarbone compensation.

For a free case assessment, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form to request a call back. An experienced solicitor will let you know whether you have a valid claim and answer all your questions. This service is completely free and provided without any obligation to proceed.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• What is a collarbone fracture?
• Diagnosis and treatment of a broken clavicle
• Possible complications of a broken collarbone
• Am I eligible to make a broken collarbone compensation claim?
• What evidence will I need to support my personal injury claim?
• What situations may lead to a broken collarbone claim?
• Can I lose my job if I claim for a broken collarbone at work?
• Frequently asked questions
• My child suffered a fractured collarbone. Can I claim compensation on their behalf?
• What is the time limit to start a broken collarbone injury claim?
• How much compensation for a broken collarbone can I claim?
• Start your No Win No Fee broken collarbone claim today

What is a collarbone fracture?

The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, is a long, slender bone located at the front of the chest that connects the arm to the body. It plays a crucial role in supporting the shoulder and arm, providing a stable connection between the upper limb and the rest of the skeleton. It also helps to protect essential blood vessels and nerves that travel between the neck and the arm.

Collarbone fractures are common, especially in children, and account for 2.6% to 4% of all fractures. Between 2004 and 2005, there were 3,065 clavicle fracture admissions in England, rising to 7,280 in 2013-2014. These injuries have various causes, such as road accidents and falls from a height and can cause a range of symptoms that include:

• Immediate and intense pain at the site of injury, especially when moving the arm or shoulder;
• Swelling and tenderness around the collarbone;
• Visible bruising or discolouration;
• A visible deformity or bump at the site of the fracture, where the bone may be out of alignment;
• Difficulty or inability to move the arm or shoulder;
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand, which may indicate nerve damage;
• Pain when taking deep breaths or moving the chest.

If you suspect a fractured collarbone or experience any of these symptoms after an accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of a broken clavicle

If you think you have broken your collarbone, you should seek immediate medical care. Your doctor will examine the area and take X-rays to confirm a broken bone, its location and severity. If they suspect further damage to a joint or artery, your healthcare provider may also order a CT scan, ultrasound or arteriography.

Most clavicle fractures do not need surgery and can be treated using a sling to keep the arm and shoulder in place during healing. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help with the pain and inflammation. You will also be shown several exercises to improve arm motion and reduce shoulder stiffness.

If the collarbone is broken in several places or has pierced through the skin, you will likely need surgery. Your surgeon will use screws, pins and plates to realign the bone and keep the broken pieces in place during the healing process.

Possible complications of a broken collarbone

Most collarbone fractures heal within six to eight weeks without any complications. However, full recovery may take 6-12 months, especially if you need surgery. A severe injury may also lead to some complications, such as:

• Malunion if the bone moves out of place and heals in the wrong position;
• Non-union if the broken ends of the bone fail to heal together;
• Nerve or blood vessel damage, resulting in numbness, tingling or impaired circulation in the arm or hand;
• Infection or excessive bleeding, especially if you need surgery;
• Cosmetic deformity due to excessive callus formation during healing;
• Chronic pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion;
• There is also an increased risk of a further fracture or developing arthritis.

If you make a claim for a broken collarbone, your compensation payout will consider the type of injury you suffered and any resulting complications.

Am I eligible to make a broken collarbone compensation claim?

The easiest way to find out whether you have a valid broken collarbone claim is through a free consultation with a personal injury solicitor. They will determine whether you are able to claim by checking to see if:

• The person or company you blame owed you a duty of care legally;
• They breached their responsibilities towards you by acting negligently;
• An accident happened due to their negligence;
• You suffered a broken collarbone as a result in the last three years.

If your solicitor can prove all of the above, you can reasonably expect to receive collarbone injury compensation.

A legal duty and negligence are established based on legislation such as the Road Traffic Act 1988 or the Occupiers Liability Act 1984. Afterwards, your solicitor will help you gather evidence to show how the accident happened and how it has affected your life. Please refer to the section below to find out what documents you may need to support a broken collarbone injury claim.

What evidence will I need to support my personal injury claim?

Regardless of how you’ve broken your collarbone, the types of evidence you could use to support a personal injury claim include:

• Photographs of the accident scene taken from different angles before anything has been moved or replaced;
• Pictures of any visible signs of trauma and your recovery process;
• If available, try to secure CCTV or dash cam footage as quickly as possible;
• Medical records that prove your diagnosis, the treatments you received and your expected recovery;
• A copy of an accident report form if you were injured at work or in a public place like a shop or restaurant;
• Statements from witnesses who saw how the accident occurred and can help establish liability;
• You will also need evidence of financial losses related to the accident, such as medical bills, payslips and invoices.

All this evidence will help strengthen your compensation claim and encourage the defendant to accept liability for the pain and suffering you incurred due to the accident.

What situations may lead to a broken collarbone claim?

Many accidents could result in a fractured collarbone and a subsequent personal injury compensation claim, such as:

• Road traffic accidents. Vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists are more susceptible to a collarbone injury if they are hit by another vehicle. However, car occupants are also at risk if they are thrown against the steering wheel or other parts of the car.
• Accidents at work. Many workplace hazards can result in a broken collarbone if adequate health and safety measures are not in place. These include falls from ladders, malfunctioning tools or machinery, faulty protective equipment and poor weather conditions.
• Physical assaults. Direct blows or impacts to the shoulder during physical altercations, such as kicks or punches, can result in a clavicle fracture. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) typically processes claims following criminal attacks.
• Sports injuries. Direct trauma, falls, collisions and overuse during sporting activities can all result in collarbone fractures. Horse riding accidents, in particular, are a common cause of fractured collarbones. If another party was at fault for your accident, such as by providing faulty equipment or poor ground conditions, you may be able to claim compensation.
• Slips, trips, and falls. You may break your clavicle if you fall on your shoulder or onto an outstretched arm. Common types of negligence leading to such accidents include slippery floors, uneven pavements, trailing cables, and faulty handrails.
• Playground accidents. If children fall or collide with playground equipment, they may injure their shoulder area, resulting in collarbone fractures. A parent could claim on behalf of their child if their accident was due to inadequate supervision or unsafe equipment.
• Medical negligence. Mistakes during medical procedures, such as surgical negligence or improper handling of the baby during delivery or using inefficient tools when giving birth, can result in clavicle fractures and personal injury compensation.

Can I lose my job if I claim for a broken collarbone at work?

Your employer has various duties to protect you under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other workplace legislation. They must take all reasonable measures to prevent a fractured or broken collarbone injury to employees, such as:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify risks that could lead to accidents;
• Adopt adequate safety policies to reduce or eliminate risks;
• Provide a safe and clean working environment to prevent slips and trips at work;
• Offer adequate training and information to employees about safe work practices;
• Ensure all equipment and machinery are safe for use and regularly inspected;
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, such as harnesses or protective gear;
• Have procedures in place to deal with emergencies.

If your employer breached their duty of care towards you, you may be entitled to compensation. If you make a claim, you are legally protected from any retaliation from your employer by unfair dismissal laws. They cannot sack you, demote you, or treat you any differently for making an accident at work claim. If they do, you can bring a further claim to an employment tribunal.

Frequently asked questions

Below, we have answered some further questions about claiming broken collarbone compensation. To discuss your case further with an experienced legal adviser, do not hesitate to get in touch by calling free on 0800 032 366 or using our online claim form.

My child suffered a fractured collarbone. Can I claim compensation on their behalf?

If your child suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, you could make a broken collarbone claim on their behalf. Your solicitor will help you fill out an application to be appointed as their litigation friend and guide you through the claims process.

As their litigation friend, you must act in the child’s best interests, make decisions about the case and consider any compensation settlement offered by the other side. If you settle the claim, you must go to an Infant Approval Hearing, where a judge will decide whether the amount of compensation awarded is fair. The money will typically be kept in a court bank account and released once the injured child turns 18 years old.

What is the time limit to start a broken collarbone injury claim?

The time limit to make a collarbone injury compensation claim is typically three years after the date of your accident. Under the Limitation Act 1980, your case will be statute-barred after this period and no longer be valid. There are several exceptions to this rule:

• In child injury claims, the three years begin on the child’s 18th birthday. A parent or another suitable adult could claim for them anytime before that.
• The time limit is suspended if the claimant cannot handle legal proceedings due to a condition such as schizophrenia, a brain injury or an intellectual disability.
• If you were injured due to a criminal assault, you have two years to start a claim for a broken collarbone through the CICA.

How much compensation for a broken collarbone can I claim?

There is no fixed compensation amount for a broken collarbone claim. The level of compensation you could receive will depend on your specific circumstances and the losses you incurred as a result. These are grouped into two types of damages:

• Special damages cover the financial burden caused to you by the accident and include lost wages, private treatments, care costs and other out-of-pocket expenses.
• General damages cover the subjective impact of the injury, such as physical pain, mental distress and how it has affected your hobbies and social activities. According to our online compensation calculator, you could receive between £5,200 and £42,110, depending on the severity of your fracture and long-term consequences.

Start your No Win No Fee broken collarbone claim today

If you are entitled to claim broken collarbone compensation, your solicitor will handle your case on a no win no fee* basis. That means you do not have to pay any upfront fees and are not taking any financial risks. If your claim is successful, your solicitor will get a success fee of up to 25% of your compensation award. If your claim fails, you do not have to pay them a penny.

The no win no fee service also includes After the Event (ATE) insurance against litigation costs, including those of the defendant. If you lose, the ATE will cover all your expenses, and you will not be out of pocket.

To find out whether you have a valid claim or how much compensation for a collarbone you could receive, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back for a free consultation with a trained legal adviser.