Broken Leg Compensation Claims

A leg fracture can be extremely painful and make it difficult to work and carry out daily activities such as cooking, cleaning and driving. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need at least several weeks to recover. Severe injuries may take much longer and lead to long-term complications that may affect your quality of life.

If you have suffered a fractured leg due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim broken leg compensation. Common accidents leading to a personal injury claim include road traffic collisions, accidents at work, and slips, trips and falls.

To start the leg injury claims process, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details into our online form to arrange a free consultation with an experienced solicitor.

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Table of Contents

• What is a broken leg injury?
• Leg fracture symptoms and treatment
• Possible long-term consequences of a broken leg
• Am I eligible to make a broken leg compensation claim claim?
• What evidence is needed to claim compensation for a leg injury?
• Common accidents that may lead to a broken leg claim
• Can I claim compensation for a broken leg at work?
• Frequently asked questions
• Can I make a broken leg claim on behalf of my child?
• What is the time limit to start a claim for a fractured leg?
• How much compensation for a broken leg could I receive?
• Will I receive a No Win No Fee service?

What is a broken leg injury?

A broken leg occurs when there is a break or a crack in one or more leg bones. These include the tibia, fibula and the femur, which is the strongest bone in the body. There are different types of fractures, including:

• Closed fractures – these are straightforward and typically heal with minimal treatment and without complications.
• Open or compound fractures – the broken bone punctures the skin, causing an open wound at risk of infection.
• Stress fractures – these are tiny cracks in the bone caused by overexertion and repetitive movements over prolonged periods.
• Displaced fractures – the parts of the broken bone shift out of their position and have to be realigned manually or with surgery.
• Comminuted fractures – the bone is shattered into multiple fragments and will likely need surgical intervention.

Leg fracture symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of a broken leg can vary depending on the severity and location of the fracture and may include:

• Intense pain at the site of injury, which may be sharp and immediate or increase gradually and worsen with movement
• Swelling and tenderness around the fractured area
• Bruising or discolouration of the skin due to bleeding from broken blood vessels
• The affected leg may appear deformed or out of its normal alignment
• Difficulty or inability to bear weight and inability to walk

If you suspect a broken leg, you should seek medical care right away. Your healthcare provider will inspect the affected area and order tests like X-rays to diagnose your injury. Standard treatment approaches for broken legs include:

• Splinting or casting to immobilise the fractured leg and promote proper healing;
• Manual realignment of the broken bones;
• Medication such as analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain and reduce inflammation;
• Surgical intervention to stabilise the fractured bones with the use of metal plates, screws, or rods;
• Physical therapy is often recommended to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion after the initial healing phase.

Possible long-term consequences of a broken leg

The long-term consequences of a broken leg can vary depending on factors like the severity of the fracture, the treatment received, and your overall health. These could include:

• Chronic pain at the injury site
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Increased risk of developing arthritis if the fracture was near a joint
• Muscle weakness due to prolonged immobilisation
• If there is nerve damage, this may lead to persistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
• A severe injury may also result in psychological issues like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Joint instability and the need for further surgeries
• A leg length discrepancy and gait abnormalities

These and other complications may lead to functional impairments, such as difficulty walking, running, or participating in certain activities. This may affect your ability to work and engage in daily activities, decreasing your quality of life.

If you start a leg injury claim, your solicitor will consider all the long-term consequences of your fracture when calculating how much compensation for a broken leg you should be awarded.

Am I eligible to make a broken leg compensation claim claim?

If you suffered a broken leg injury in an accident that was not your fault, you might be eligible to claim compensation. The easiest way to find out if you have a valid claim and what compensation amount you could expect is through a free consultation with a solicitor. They will ask you a few questions to determine if:

• Another party owed you a duty of care
• They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing
• You suffered an injured leg as a result

You don’t need to be worried about establishing a duty of care. Your solicitor will take care of this aspect by referring to legislation such as the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 or the Road Traffic Act 1988. Once liability is established, they will contact the defendant to inform them of your intention to claim and help you collate evidence to support your case.

As a general rule, you can claim even if you were partially at fault for the injury (contributory negligence). In this case, your compensation payout will be reduced by a percentage that reflects your part of the blame.

What evidence is needed to claim compensation for a leg injury?

You will need various types of evidence to claim compensation for a broken leg, such as:

• Photographs or a video of the accident scene, including any hazards that caused your injury before anything is moved or replaced;
• If available, camera footage from CCTV or a dash cam and pictures of your injury and damage to your personal items;
• Your medical records and diagnostic tests like X-rays are needed to show the type and severity of your injury and the treatments you received;
• Your solicitor may also arrange a free consultation with an independent specialist to determine the long-term effects of your injury and future care needs;
• Witness statements are essential, especially if the other side denies liability. Thus, it would help if you asked for the names and contact details of anyone who saw how you were injured;
• A copy of an accident report form that you should file with the responsible party if you were injured at work or in a public place such as a shop or restaurant;
• Your statement about how the accident occurred and how it has affected different aspects of your life;
• Financial evidence, such as receipts, payslips and invoices, is needed to claim for the economic losses related to your injury.

Common accidents that may lead to a broken leg claim

Accidents that may lead to a broken leg claim can vary in nature, but they typically involve significant trauma to the leg. Solicitors handle broken leg compensation claims that most often arise from accidents, such as:

• Road traffic accidents. The force of impact in a road accident can result in the legs being crushed or suffering a forceful blow and a subsequent fracture. Such accidents can affect all road users, including car passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders.
• Accidents at work. Workplace accidents, especially in jobs such as construction or industrial settings, can often lead to leg fractures. These may be due to heavy machinery, falling objects or falls from heights.
• Slips, trips and falls. Despite being preventable, these are some of the most common accidents at work and in public. They are often due to uneven surfaces, wet floors and objects left in walkways. If your fracture was due to the negligence of your local council or a private business owner, you could make a leg injury claim.
• Sports injuries. You may suffer a broken leg due to collisions with opponents in contact sports or from the impact of a fall. While such injuries are often nobody’s fault, you could claim compensation if your fracture was due to poor ground conditions, faulty equipment or bad advice from a coach.
• Defective products. Defective products, such as faulty equipment or machinery, can malfunction and cause accidents, leading to broken legs. For instance, a defect in a bicycle or a manufacturing flaw in a piece of equipment can result in injuries if it fails during use.
• Medical negligence. Mistakes during surgical procedures, inadequate post-operative care or failure to diagnose certain conditions can cause or contribute to leg fractures.

This list is not exhaustive, and any accident caused by someone else’s negligence could entitle you to make a broken leg claim.

Can I claim compensation for a broken leg at work?

If you suffered a broken leg in an accident at work, you are entitled to make a leg injury compensation claim. Your employer cannot legally sack or discipline you in any way for making a claim. If they do so, you can take further action at an employment tribunal under unfair dismissal laws.

Your employer must follow the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other workplace legislation to keep you safe from injury. They have several responsibilities, such as:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential risks that could cause injuries;
• Take all reasonable measures to eliminate or reduce these risks;
• Provide proper training and information about how to do your job and use the equipment;
• Ensure all equipment and machinery are well-maintained and safe to use;
• Provide adequate personal protective equipment, such as safety boots, harnesses and protective clothing;
• Keep the workplace safe from hazards that could contribute to slip and trip injuries.

If your employer has failed to protect your health and safety, they may be liable for broken leg compensation.

Frequently asked questions

If you want to claim broken leg compensation and have further questions about the claims process, please refer to the section below. For more details, please call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back for a free consultation with a legal adviser.

Can I make a broken leg claim on behalf of my child?

If your child suffered a leg injury due to someone else’s fault, you may be able to claim broken leg compensation on their behalf. You can start a claim anytime before their 18th birthday, regardless of when the injury occurred. To claim for them, your solicitor will help you fill out and file the necessary documents to be appointed as their litigation friend.

If you manage to secure compensation for a broken leg on behalf of your child, you will need to attend an Infant Approval Hearing in court. A judge will examine the evidence and decide whether the awarded amount is fair. The settlement money is usually kept in a court bank account and released to the child when they turn 18.

What is the time limit to start a claim for a fractured leg?

The time limit to start a broken leg compensation claim is typically three years after the date of your accident. The claim limitation date is set by the Limitation Act 1980, and the court will no longer accept your case if you miss this deadline. Several exceptions may apply to your claim:

• For child accident claims, the time limit begins on their 18th birthday, from which they have until turning 21 to start a claim.
• If the claimant lacks mental capacity due to a condition such as PTSD or Down syndrome, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend could claim for them anytime.
• There is a two-year limitation period to start a broken leg injury claim following a criminal assault.
• If you were injured in the military, there is a seven-year time limit to claim through the AFCS.

How much compensation for a broken leg could I receive?

The amount of compensation you could receive if you make a successful broken leg claim will depend on two types of damages resulting from your injury:

• General damages are awarded for subjective losses, such as pain, suffering and loss of amenities. These may include physical and mental pain, long-term disability, reduced quality of life, or inability to pursue a hobby.
• Special damages are awarded for related financial losses and expenses, such as prescriptions, private treatments, lost wages during recovery, care costs or medical aids.

According to the latest recommendations from the Judicial College, you could receive the following broken leg compensation awards (not including special damages):

• Up to £14,080 for a simple femur, tibia or fibula fracture
• £16,860 to £39,200 for multiple fractures or more severe injuries that may cause some long-term disability
• £39,200 to £87,890 for serious leg fractures that may cause permanent problems like instability, deformity and mobility issues

Will I receive a No Win No Fee service?

Yes. If you have a valid claim, your personal injury solicitor will offer you a no win no fee* agreement. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront or if your case fails. You only pay a success fee of up to 25% of your settlement if they win your claim.

Furthermore, you are protected against litigation costs by the After the Event (ATE) insurance. If your compensation claim is unsuccessful, the ATE will cover all the associated costs, such as court fees, police and medical reports, travel expenses and the defendant’s solicitors.

To start your claim, get in touch with a solicitor by calling 0800 470 0474 for free today. Alternatively, you can use our online form to request a call back and discuss your case.