Claim compensation for a broken foot

If you’ve suffered a foot fracture in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible to make a broken foot compensation claim.

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Broken Foot Compensation Claims

Suffering a broken foot can significantly affect your ability to work, carry out daily tasks and engage in leisure activities. Besides physical pain and suffering, a foot fracture can also cause a lot of distress, anxiety and mental anguish. While most fractures will heal completely within several months, some may also cause long-term complications like mobility issues and chronic pain.

You could fracture your foot in various ways. These include road traffic accidents, criminal assaults, slips and trips, falls from heights and accidents at work. If another party was at fault for your injury, you may be able to claim broken foot compensation. Your claim could cover pain, suffering and financial losses related to the injury.

To discuss your case for free with a legal adviser, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our online claim form to request a call back. They will let you know if your case has merit and answer all your questions with no obligation to proceed.

Find out if you can claim

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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

Foot fracture symptoms and diagnosis

The foot is the terminal portion of the leg, below the ankle joint. It is made of bones, muscles, tendons and other tissues that work together to support the body, provide stability, and enable movements. There are 26 bones in the foot, including the phalanges, metatarsal bones, talus and heel bone. A break or crack to any of these bones is called a foot fracture and can cause symptoms such as:

Immediate and throbbing pain
Pain that feels worse with movement and better when resting
Swelling and tenderness around the injured area
Bruising and discolouration
A change in the way you walk
Inability to walk, move your foot or bear weight
Poor balance
A visible deformity or misalignment of the foot
Numbness or tingling if there was nerve damage or compression

If you suspect a broken foot and have any of the symptoms above, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check for pain, tenderness and your range of motion. If they suspect a break, they may order X-rays, a CT scan or MRI for a detailed image that will help them diagnose your fracture and decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

Treatments and possible long-term consequences

The treatment for a broken foot will depend on the location and severity of the injury. Common treatments include:

Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
If your bones have shifted out of position, your doctor may need to manipulate the piece back into their place;
Immobilisation with a cast, brace, splint or boot to stabilise the bones during healing;
Resting the injured foot and keeping it elevated to reduce swelling and promote healing;
If the fracture is severe, you may need surgery and pins, screws, rods or plates to keep the bones in their proper position during healing;
After the healing process, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to recover strength and mobility in your foot.

A foot fracture will typically take between four and six weeks to heal. In other cases, the healing time can be up to 12 weeks. Severe injuries may lead to complications and long-term consequences, such as:

Fractures that affect joints can cause post-traumatic arthritis
If you have an open fracture, you may develop a bone infection (osteomyelitis)
The fractured bones may heal incorrectly, resulting in deformities and functional limitations
Chronic foot pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion
Damage to the nerves and blood vessels, which can cause a bone to die and collapse

If you make a successful broken foot claim, your compensation award will cover the treatments you received and any long-term consequences and care needs.

Am I eligible to make a compensation claim for a broken foot?

If you suffered any type of foot fracture due to someone else’s negligence, you could make a broken foot compensation claim. To find out if you are entitled to claim compensation, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible after your accident. They will be able to determine whether:

Another party owed you a duty of care
They breached their duty by acting negligently
You suffered a broken foot injury in an accident caused by their negligence

Your solicitor will prove a duty of care by referring to various legislation. Based on your circumstances, this could be the Road Traffic Act 1988, the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 or various workplace regulations. Once a duty of care is established, they will work with you to gather all the necessary evidence to secure the maximum broken foot compensation award for you.

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

To make a claim for compensation, you need clear evidence of how your accident occurred and how it has affected your life. Your solicitor could use any of the following to support your case:

Photographs or videos of the accident scene and what contributed to your injury before anything is moved or repaired. That could be faulty equipment, a car collision, uneven stairs or a slippery floor;
Pictures of your injury and recovery process;
Witness statements from anyone who saw how your accident took place. Ask for the names and contact details of any colleagues, supervisors or bystanders who saw how the events occurred;
If you were injured at work or in a public place, you could use a copy of an accident report to prove the date, time and location of the incident. Make sure to report it to the responsible party and ask for a signed copy of the form to support your case;
Your medical records will prove the type and extent of your injury, what treatments you received and your recovery prospects. Your solicitor may also arrange an exam with a specialist to assess any long-term complications and future care needs that you could include in your foot injury compensation payout;
Your notes about how the accident happened, who you think was at fault, and how the foot injury has affected your life. For example, have you been unable to work or had to miss out on any events because of your injuries;
You also need evidence of all the financial losses and expenses you want to include in your personal injury compensation claim.

Common accidents that cause foot fractures

The most common accidents and situations that may lead to a foot injury compensation claim include:

Road traffic accidents. Car, bicycle, motorcycle and other road accidents can cause fractures if the foot is trapped or suffers a forceful impact during a collision. You could claim broken foot compensation if another road user or the authorities responsible for road maintenance were at fault for your injury.
Accidents at work. Accidents in the workplace, such as being struck by falling objects, having the foot caught in machinery, or tripping over hazards, can lead to foot fractures.
Criminal assaults. Kicks and blows to the foot during physical altercations can result in fractures, mainly if the assaulter uses a weapon. If you were the blameless victim of an assault, you could start a broken foot claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Being hit by an object. Heavy objects falling on your foot can cause severe injuries, such as broken bones. This can occur in industrial settings such as construction sites and warehouses but also in public places like shops and walkways.
Defective products. Defective products, such as safety equipment or footwear designed to protect your feet, can lead to fractures. If you were injured due to a faulty product, you can claim compensation from the manufacturer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Sports injuries. Engaging in sports that involve rapid movements and changes of direction, collisions, falls, or awkward landings can also cause foot fractures. If you were injured due to poor ground conditions, faulty footwear or bad advice from a coach, you could start a compensation claim.
Slips, trips and falls. Slips, trips, and falls are common accidents that can result in foot fractures. These can be due to uneven surfaces, wet floors, or obstacles in walkways. You can claim broken foot compensation if another party caused your injury by failing to keep premises safe from hazards.
Repetitive stress. Overuse or repetitive strain on the foot, such as in certain sports or occupational activities, can contribute to stress fractures.

Can I claim compensation for a broken foot at work?

Yes. If you suffered an injury due to your employer’s negligence, it is your legal right to make a broken foot compensation claim. Your employer cannot sack you or treat you any differently due to your claim. If they try to discipline you in any way, you can take further action under unfair and constructive dismissal laws.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer must take the following steps to keep you safe from accidents that could result in foot fractures:

Carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards that may lead to injuries;
Take all reasonable steps to reduce or eliminate risks;
Implement clear safety policies and procedures that address foot safety;
Provide comprehensive training on safe work practices and the proper use of equipment and machinery;
Ensure you have adequate protective equipment, such as safety footwear and know how to use it;
Carry out regular inspections and maintenance of equipment and machinery.

If you had an accident because your employer has failed to comply with these or other relevant regulations, you might be entitled to claim broken foot at work compensation.

Frequently asked questions

If you have further questions about making a broken foot claim, please refer to the section below. A specialist personal injury solicitor can give you more details about the claims process during a free consultation. To discuss your case, please call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to arrange a call back.

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

The time limit to start a foot injury claim is three years following your accident. This time limit is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, and your case will no longer be valid if you surpass it. There are a few exceptions to this rule:

For accidents involving children, the three-year time limit begins on their 18th birthday. Before that, a parent or another suitable adult could claim for them, regardless of when they were injured.
There is no time limit if the claimant lacks mental capacity due to a brain injury, PTSD or another condition like Alzheimer’s. In this case, a litigation friend could represent them at any time.
If you suffered a foot injury due to a violent crime, the time limit to claim through the CICA is two years after the incident.

How much compensation will I get for a broken foot?

The amount of compensation you could claim for a foot injury depends on the damages you incurred as a result. Each personal injury claim covers two types of losses:

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenities, such as the ability to engage in hobbies or daily activities. These are subjective and are not easy to quantify. They are based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College. According to our compensation calculator, you could receive up to £39,390 if you have suffered a severe foot injury.
Special damages are awarded for financial losses resulting from the broken foot injury. Examples include private treatments, prescriptions, travel expenses, care costs and lost wages during recovery. They are easier to quantify and are based on evidence like receipts and invoices.

Will I receive a No Win No Fee service?

If you have a valid claim, your solicitor will help you claim on a no win no fee* basis. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront, and they only get a success fee if you win the claim. This fee cannot exceed 25% of your compensation, and you will agree to it from the beginning. If you lose, you do not pay them a single penny.

If your no win no fee foot injury claim fails, you do not have to worry about the litigation costs either. These will be covered by the After the Event (ATE) insurance your solicitor will take for you and may include court fees, police and medical reports and the defendant’s expenses.

To start a broken foot compensation claim or learn more about the claims process, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with a legal adviser. Alternatively, you can request a call back by entering your details into our online claim form.