If you've suffered a workplace ankle injury and your employer was at fault, we can help you make an ankle injury at work compensation claim.
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Ankle Injury at Work Claims
Whether you work in an office, in construction, as a driver or as a healthcare professional, there are plenty of ways you could suffer an ankle injury at work. These include slips and trips, falls from height, being hit by falling objects, repetitive movements and vehicle accidents.
The type of ankle injuries you could suffer range from mild sprains and strains to severe fractures and torn ligaments, with potentially permanent consequences.
If you have suffered harm while doing your job due to your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make an ankle injury at work claim. If you have a valid case, an experienced solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.
To find out if you can make an ankle injury at work claim, call 0800 470 0472 today or use our online contact form to request a call back.
Key points about ankle injury at work claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you injured your ankle at work due to unsafe conditions or lack of training.
- Employer Responsibilities: Employers must prevent trip hazards, provide PPE, and follow workplace safety regulations.
- Time Limit: The usual time limit is 3 years from the date of injury, although there are some exceptions.
- Compensation: Amount depends on the type and severity of the ankle injury, and can cover financial losses, such as time off work.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay them a fee if your claim succeeds.
Friendly legal advisors are available to discuss your ankle injury claim today.
- Find out if you have a valid claim
- A risk free, no win no fee service
- We are available 7 days a week
- Experienced personal injury lawyers
Table of Contents
What types of ankle injuries could you suffer at work?
Depending on the nature of your job and your workplace conditions, you could suffer various types of ankle injuries at work. Here are some examples:
- A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle joint are stretched or torn, often due to twisting, falls or sudden movements;
- A fractured ankle occurs when one or more of the bones in the ankle joint break due to falls from heights, being struck by a heavy object or vehicle accidents;
- Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons around the ankle, usually due to repetitive stress, overuse or prolonged standing;
- Ruptures of the Achilles tendon, which connect the calf muscles to the heel, due to sudden or excessive force;
- Ankle dislocations occur when the bones in the ankle joint are forced out of their normal position, often because of a severe impact or twist;
- Stress fractures are small cracks in the bones around the ankle that are caused by overuse and repetitive motions;
- Crush injuries can occur when the ankle is caught between two hard surfaces, resulting in damage to the bones, muscles and other tissues;
- Ankle bursitis develops when the fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles around the ankle become inflamed due to prolonged pressure or repetitive motion.
How are ankle injuries diagnosed and treated?
Ankle injuries are common and can range from mild sprains to severe fractures. For a correct diagnosis, your doctor will ask you about how your injury happened and your symptoms and will also carry out a physical exam. The most common symptoms of ankle injuries include:
- Mild to severe pain, especially when putting weight on it or moving the foot;
- Swelling and tenderness;
- Bruising, as the small blood vessels in the area break;
- Weakness or instability;
- Stiffness and limited range of motion;
- A popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury;
- Visible deformity.
The specific symptoms associated with your injury can help determine its type. However, your doctor will likely also order imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or ultrasound. Based on the findings, you will receive a diagnosis and treatment, which may involve:
- The PRICE protocol – protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation;
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication;
- Immobilisation using a brace or splint and crutches not to put weight on the injured ankle;
- Surgical treatment for severe cases such as complete ligament tears or severe fractures;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation may be needed to restore strength, stability and flexibility.
What could be the long-term consequences of an ankle injury?
Based on its severity, an ankle injury can have various long-term or permanent consequences that can affect your life, such as:
- Inability to return to work for weeks or months, resulting in lost wages;
- Ankle instability, causing it to become more prone to injury due to weakened tendons;
- The development of osteoarthritis due to the wear down of the cartilage in the ankle joint;
- Reduced range of motion, which can affect walking, running and other physical activities;
- Chronic pain due to nerve damage, improper healing or joint misalignment;
- Permanent disability or impairment, which may require the use of mobility aids;
- Difficulty returning to physical activity;
- Psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression, can lead to a decrease in quality of life.
Your solicitor will consider the long-term impact of your injury on your life to ensure you are adequately compensated for your pain and suffering.
What is an employer’s duty of care to prevent workplace ankle injuries?
Your employer has specific duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that you are safe from sustaining an ankle injury at work by taking the following measures:
- Regularly assess workplace risks and take steps to eliminate or mitigate hazards;
- Provide a safe work environment by preventing slip, trip and fall hazards such as cluttered walkways and uneven surfaces;
- Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as shoes with good ankle support and non-slip soles;
- Offer adequate training and information on safe manual handling and other job tasks;
- Put up warning signs and barriers where temporary hazards such as wet floors exist;
- Provide manual handling equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids to reduce strain.
If your employer has failed in their duty of care, you may be eligible to make an ankle injury at work compensation claim.
Can I claim compensation for an ankle injury at work?
The easiest way to determine if you can make an ankle injury at work compensation claim is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine whether:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care;
- They breached this duty and caused an accident;
- You suffered an ankle injury in the workplace due to that accident.
The duty of care will be established based on legislation such as the one mentioned above. It is essential to remember that in certain circumstances, fault may lie with another party other than your employer, such as a product manufacturer.
Your personal injury solicitor will be able to establish liability and help you gather the necessary evidence to make a compensation claim.
What accidents could lead to an injured ankle at work?
Many types of work accidents could lead to a claim for a broken ankle or a similar injury at work, including:
- Slips, trips, and falls. These can be caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways, resulting in sprains, strains, or fractures.
- Falls from heights. Falling from a ladder or scaffolding can result in severe ankle injuries due to the hard impact on the ground.
- Being struck by a moving object. Tools, equipment or other objects that fall on your foot can cause ankle injuries such as fractures, crush injuries and lacerations.
- Vehicle accidents. Collisions with forklifts or other workplace vehicles can also lead to ankle injuries upon impact.
- Manual handling accidents. These can occur when you improperly lift or carry heavy objects and awkwardly twist or bend your ankle.
- Equipment and machinery incidents. Your ankle could get caught, trapped or crushed by a piece of equipment, resulting in severe damage.
- Repetitive strain or overuse. Injuries can also develop if you frequently stand, walk, or perform tasks that place excessive stress on your ankles.
If your employer or another party was at fault for your injury, a specialist solicitor can help you seek compensation for your pain, suffering and other related damages.
Workplace negligence that could lead to an ankle injury at work claim
Various types of negligence could lead to an accident claim for compensation, including:
- A failure to conduct risk assessments;
- Inadequate maintenance of work premises and poor housekeeping;
- Not providing the necessary PPE or manual handling equipment;
- A lack of safety signage in areas with known hazards;
- Inadequate training on safe work practices and manual handling procedures;
- A failure to address reported hazards;
- Working long hours with insufficient breaks;
- Not providing adequate first aid or medical care after an accident.
If you suffered a workplace ankle injury due to any of these or other types of negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation from your employer.
Could I lose my job if I make an accident at work claim against my employer?
If you have an accident at work due to your employer breaching their duty of care, it is your legal right to seek compensation for any resulting losses. Employers are legally required to hold Employer’s Liability (EL) insurance against any personal injuries to employees. If you make a successful accident at work claim, this insurance will cover your damages, so your employer will not be left out of pocket.
If your employer decides to sack or discipline you by demoting you or reducing your working hours, they would be acting unlawfully. In such cases, an employment lawyer could help you make a further claim under unfair dismissal laws. Your claim would be brought to an employment tribunal, which can order your employer to give you back your job or take any other measures it sees fit.
What evidence will I need to support my personal injury claim?
If you want to make a successful compensation claim following an ankle injury at work, you will need various types of evidence to support it, such as:
- Visual proof of the accident scene and the hazards that contributed to it, such as wet or uneven floors;
- Photographs of any visible signs of injury, such as bruising, deformity, or swelling;
- Medical evidence such as diagnostic tests and treatment plans will help prove the type and severity of your injury;
- Statements from witnesses to your accident, such as coworkers or other bystanders;
- Your testimony about how the incident occurred and how it has affected your life;
- A copy of an accident report form filed with your employer will help prove where and when you were injured;
- You will also need to provide proof of all the financial losses and expenses related to your injuries, such as receipts and invoices.
Time limit to start an ankle injury at work compensation claim
Generally, you have three years to make a personal injury claim following an accident at work. If you do not start your claim within this time limit, your case will be statute-barred under the Limitation Act 1980 and no longer valid. However, there are some exceptions that could apply:
- If you were injured before turning 18, the three-year countdown does not begin until your 18th birthday. Before that, a parent or another suitable adult can make a claim on your behalf at any time.
- The time limit is put on hold if you lack the mental capacity to handle a claim due to a condition such as a brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a neurodegenerative condition.
- If you were injured due to a criminal assault, you have two years to make a claim through the CICA.
How much compensation can I claim for an ankle injury at work?
The amount of compensation you could receive if you injure your ankle at work will depend on two types of damages that will be included in your claim:
- General damages cover the non-financial impacts of the injury, such as physical pain, emotional distress, permanent disability and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Special damages cover the financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the ankle injury. These could include private treatments, loss of earnings during recovery, the cost of travelling to medical appointments and any mobility aids required.
Special damages can be calculated fairly easily, as they are based on documents such as bank statements, receipts and invoices. General damages are more challenging to quantify due to their subjective nature. These are based on the current guidelines from the Judicial College and your specific circumstances.
Here are some examples of compensation figures based on the 18th Edition of these guidelines:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries | A minor ankle fracture, sprain or ligament injury recovering fully or leaving only mild symptoms | Up to £18,000 |
| An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground | £18,000 - £35,000 | |
| A severe ankle injury requiring extensive treatment and causing permanent walking difficulty | £41,000 - £66,000 | |
| A very severe ankle injury causing deformity and risk of future amputation | £66,000 - £92,000 |
Will I receive a No Win No Fee service from my solicitor?
Yes. The solicitors we work with handle all personal injury claims on a no win no fee basis. If you are eligible to claim compensation, they will take on the risk of litigation and will not ask you for any upfront payments to work on your case.
Your solicitor will only receive a success fee if and after you get your compensation. If you lose, you do not have to pay them anything. This arrangement ensures you have access to legal representation regardless of your financial situation and without taking any risks.
To find out if you may be able to claim compensation for an ankle injury at work, call 0800 470 0472 or enter your details here. You will receive a free consultation with no obligation to proceed.
Friendly legal advisors are available to discuss your work injury claim today.
- Find out if you have a valid claim
- A risk free, no win no fee service
- We are available 7 days a week
- Experienced personal injury lawyers
