Groin Injury Claims

The groin is a muscular area between the lower abdomen and the upper thighs. It consists of five adductor muscles that work together to move the legs. A groin injury can be very painful and severely restrict your mobility.

Recovery from a groin injury can take anywhere between a few weeks to several months. During this period, you might feel a lot of pain and psychological distress and might not be able to carry out your usual activities. You might also have to take time off work and require help with daily tasks, which might result in substantial financial losses.

You could suffer a groin injury in a road accident, an accident at work or during sporting activities. If someone else was at fault for your injury, you might be able to make a groin injury claim. You can usually claim on a no win no fee basis, so you do not have to worry about upfront fees and legal charges.

For a free consultation with a legal adviser, call 0800 678 1410. They can let you know if you may be eligible to make a claim and can answer any questions you may have.

Can I make a groin injury compensation claim?

If you were involved in an accident or were diagnosed with a groin injury in the last three years, you might be eligible for personal injury compensation. A free consultation with a legal adviser can let you know if you have a valid claim.

Usually, it is possible to claim compensation if:

• Another party owed you a duty of care
• They breached their duty by acting negligently
• Their negligence caused an accident
• You suffered a groin injury as a result

You do not have to worry about establishing a duty of care. Your solicitor will use various laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to prove negligence. In a groin injury claim, the liable party might be an employer, a road user, the local council or another individual.

If you have a valid groin injury claim, you will need relevant evidence to show how you were injured and how this affected your life. This could include:

• Medical records relating to the type and extent of your injury. This may also include any medication, surgery or rehabilitation costs you could claim.
• Contact and insurance details of other drivers if you were injured in a road traffic accident.
• Contact details of any witnesses who can state how the events unfolded.
• Photographs of the accident scene taken before anything is moved or repaired.
• Relevant pictures of any visible injuries.
• CCTV or dash cam recordings of the accident.
• Accident reports confirming the date and location where you were injured. Most employers and business owners must keep an accident logbook, and you have the right to ask for a signed copy of the report.
• Your notes about how the accident occurred and how the groin injury affected your daily life.
• Evidence of any financial losses and expenses related to your injury, such as loss of wages or prescription costs.
• After building a solid case, your solicitor will send a claim notification form to the defendant. If they admit liability, you can start negotiating a compensation settlement. Otherwise, you might have to issue court proceedings.

If you feel you may have a valid groin injury compensation claim, call 0800 678 1410 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser.

What are the most common causes of groin injuries?

Groin injuries can be caused by a single, traumatic event or develop over time due to repetitive strain and overuse. Trauma may cause the muscles or tendons to overstretch or twist, resulting in sprains, strains or tears.

If someone else acted negligently, causing you to suffer an injury, you might be able to claim groin injury compensation. The most common causes of groin injuries include:

Slips, trips and falls

A slip, trip or fall may cause the groin muscles to overstretch, causing a sprain or strain in the groin area. Employers, local councils and business owners have the duty to keep all public places safe and free of hazards. Failing to do so might give you the right to compensation.

Road accidents

If the adductor muscles tense too fast or forcefully during a collision, it could cause a groin injury. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders are especially prone to groin injuries in a road accident. Due to the limited protection, blunt trauma can also lead to bruising, cuts and lacerations in the groin area, especially in cyclists.

Groin injuries can be very painful and significantly impact your life. If another road user or poor road conditions caused your accident, you might be eligible for compensation.

Accidents at work

All employers must uphold their duty to protect the health and safety of employees as far as reasonably possible. They must identify and contain any workplace hazards and provide regular training and personal protective equipment. If they breach their duty of care, you might be able to make a groin injury claim.

Work-related groin injuries could be due to outstretching the muscles in a fall, repetitive strain or a manual handling accident. Lifting heavy loads without proper training or equipment can cause tears in the groin muscles, leading to hernias.

Sports

Groin injuries are common musculoskeletal injuries in sports. Sprains and strains are prevalent in athletes that participate in football, hockey, hurdling, high jumping and other activities that involve planting the feet and sudden changes in direction.

Heavy lifting and other strenuous activities may cause a weakening or tear of the groin muscles, leading to a hernia. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to prevent groin injuries from becoming chronic and career-limiting.

Medical negligence

Surgical errors, delayed treatment and other types of substandard care may lead to a groin injury or the worsening of a pre-existing condition. Hernia mesh complications may cause chronic pain and long-term mobility issues. If a healthcare professional failed to treat you properly, you could make a groin injury compensation claim.

Physical assault

An unprovoked physical assault is not just traumatising but may also cause severe physical injuries. You could suffer an acute groin injury from a direct blow, a fall or a stabbing wound. Victims of violent crimes may claim groin injury compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

If your accident was due to another party’s negligence, you might be eligible for compensation. To find out if you have a valid claim, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 678 1410 to speak to a legal adviser.

What are the different types and symptoms of groin injuries?

The groin or inguinal region is the area where the upper thigh meets the lower part of the abdomen and consists of the adductor muscles of the hip or the groin muscles. A groin injury refers to any damage to the muscles, tendons or other structures in this area.

The symptoms of a groin injury may range from minor to severe and include:

• Pain in the groin area and the inside of the thighs
• Pain when bringing the legs together or raising the knees
• Swelling and bruising in the groin area
• A snapping or popping sensation when the injury occurred
• Tenderness and weakness
• Loss of strength in the upper leg
• A bulge on either side of the pubic bone
• A burning or aching sensation in the groin area
• Restricted mobility and difficulty sitting down

Groin injuries are divided into three degrees of severity:

• Grade 1 – minor injuries causing slight discomfort or pain in the groin area and inner thigh. Pain is accompanied by a slight loss of strength or movement, which may result in limited activity for a period of time but no disability.
• Grade 2 – the injury causes mild discomfort that might be accompanied by swelling or bruising and damage to the underlying tissues. It usually results in the inability to carry out certain activities such as running or jumping.
• Grade 3 – injuries causing severe pain, inflammation and loss of strength in the groin area. Such an injury involves a complete muscle tear, making it impossible to squeeze the legs together. This level of severity might prevent you from walking during recovery.

The most common types of groin injuries are a result of acute trauma but may also develop in time due to repetitive strain. These include:

Adductor strains

Adductor strains are the most common type of groin injury. They occur when the muscles are stretched or twisted beyond their normal range of motion. Such injuries are common in runners, football players and other sports that involve sudden stops or turns. Direct, blunt trauma and micro-trauma by repetitive injury may also lead to muscle strain.

A groin strain typically causes pain and tenderness in the area. The pain may intensify when bringing the legs together or raising the knees. You may feel a popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury. Recovery may take anywhere from six weeks to several months, depending on severity.

Avulsion fractures

Avulsion fractures occur when a groin tendon or ligament pulls up a piece of bone from the hip, resulting in pain. This condition is more common in young athletes, where the pelvic growth plates have not yet solidified.

An avulsion may cause popping or pain in the groin during activity, swelling and trouble moving the upper leg. Left untreated, it may lead to instability and impaired hip mobility. Severe cases involving nerve damage may lead to sexual dysfunction.

Adductor tendinopathy

Repeated or forceful movements and sudden changes in direction during certain sporting activities may cause injury to the tendons that attach the muscles to bone. Adductor tendinopathy is characterised by pain in the groin area and the upper inner thigh. The initial pain is intense and followed by a dull ache.

Additional symptoms include pain that radiates down the leg, swelling, tenderness and bruising. Stretching and warmup before exercise can reduce symptoms, but they usually return later. Without proper treatment, the condition may become chronic. Severe tears or chronic tendinopathy may need surgery.

Hernias

Hernias are one of the most common types of groin injuries. They are common workplace injuries related to manual handling and heavy lifting. Groin hernias occur due to the weakening of the muscles in the lower abdomen. This may cause the intestines or fatty tissue to push through and appear as a bulge under the skin.

The primary symptom is a lump or bulge in the groin area. This could appear all of a sudden or develop gradually over weeks or months. Other symptoms include pain and general discomfort accompanied by swelling, pressure, weakness and a burning sensation.

Complications may include strangulation, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Signs and possible symptoms of a strangulated hernia may include fever, nausea or vomiting and a sudden discomfort that intensifies quickly. The bulge may turn purple or dark, and you might not be able to have a bowel movement or pass gas. Treatment involves wearing a supportive truss or surgical repair.

Regardless of your injury, if it was due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to make a groin injury claim. To find out if you have a valid claim, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 678 1410 to speak to a legal adviser.

How much compensation is a groin injury claim worth?

The impact a groin injury has on a person depends from case to case. This makes it hard to set a fixed groin injury compensation award. The amount you could receive depends on several factors, such as the type and extent of the injury and any long-term complications.

Your solicitor will consider how the injury affected various aspects of your life to negotiate the best settlement possible. They will factor in:

Special damages for financial losses and expenses, such as:

• Medical treatments, including surgery
• Physical therapy and counselling
• Travel expenses to medical appointments
• Lost earnings, if you had to take time off work
• Costs of care and assistance
• Private care costs
• Any other related financial expenses

General damages for pain, suffering and other subjective, non-pecuniary losses, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Psychological distress and emotional trauma
• Physical impairment
• Decreased quality of life
• Continuing pain and discomfort
• Scarring
• The impact on your hobbies and social life

Solicitors use the guidelines published by the Judicial College when calculating compensation for general damages in a groin injury claim. According to them, you could get:

• £550 to £34,340 for a groin sprain or muscle strain, depending on the extent and recovery time
• £3,000 to £6,300 for a minor hernia with full recovery, without further symptoms
• £6,100 to £8,000 for mild hernias, with some risk of recurrence
• £1,980 to £19,000 for scarring
• £17,600 to £32,180 for moderate to chronic pain caused by a hernia
• £1,290 to £4,900 for mild stress caused by a hernia injury
• Up to £6,330 for minor hernia mesh complications
• £11,890 to £21,190 for severe hernia mesh complications
• Up to £114,810 for loss of sexual function due to negligent groin hernia surgery

After a thorough assessment of your groin injury claim, your solicitor will be able to give you an accurate estimate of your compensation prospects. Call 0800 678 1410 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser.

Can groin injury claims be made using no win no fee?

A free consultation with a legal adviser can let you know whether you have a valid groin injury claim. If they believe you have a fair chance of success, you will be offered a no win no fee service. This is the preferred way of funding a personal injury claim because it involves no upfront fees or legal costs.

If your solicitor believes they can win the claim, they will offer their services without asking for an upfront payment. Furthermore, if your case is ultimately unsuccessful, you do not have to pay them at all.

By making a no win no fee claim, you only pay your solicitor if you receive compensation. Before starting legal proceedings, you will agree upon a success fee that cannot exceed 25% of your compensation award. This aims to cover the risk your solicitor took by offering you a conditional fee agreement and the work they did for you.

Another advantage of making a no win no fee claim is that you do not have to worry about legal charges. If you win the case, the defendant will have to cover the legal costs incurred. If you lose, your costs will be covered by the After the Event (ATE) insurance policy.

The ATE insurance is a legal expenses insurance policy and a standard part of any no win no fee claim. If you lose the case, the insurance policy will cover any costs incurred, such as:

• The defendant’s solicitor fees
• Barrister fees and expert witness reports
• The cost of an independent medical examination your solicitor will arrange for you
• Any other legal costs and expenses you incurred during claiming

You will only have to pay for the ATE premium if you win the groin injury claim, and the cost will be deducted from your compensation award.

No win no fee claims involve no upfront solicitor fees, no legal costs, and you do not have to worry about any hidden charges. Everything will be fully disclosed to you at the beginning of the claim. Your solicitor will handle all the paperwork and negotiate the best settlement on your behalf while you can focus on recovery.

To find out if you can make a no win no fee groin injury claim, call 0800 678 1410 for a free consultation with a legal adviser. Alternatively, enter your details to receive a call back.

What is the time limit to claim for a groin injury?

Usually, the time limit to make a groin injury claim is three years after an accident. The last date you can start legal proceedings is known as the claim limitation date. Afterwards, your case becomes statute-barred, and it is no longer possible to claim compensation.

Under Section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980, the court may choose to extend the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This will depend on the reason and length of the delay and how promptly you acted once you became aware that you could claim.

Some groin injuries or illnesses may be diagnosed later after an accident or develop over time. In this case, you have three years from the date of knowledge to make a claim.

There are limitations and exceptions to the three-year rule to bring a claim. For instance:

• A parent, guardian or another litigation friend can claim compensation for a child until their 18th birthday. Afterwards, the victim can make a groin injury claim at any point between their 18th and 21st birthday.
• Under the Mental Health Act 1983, there is no time limit to claim on behalf of a victim who lacks mental capacity. The three-year limitation period starts if the claimant recovers from disability.
• Military personnel injured on duty have seven years to claim groin injury compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). Alternatively, they could claim under civil law within the standard three-year limit.
• It should be possible to make a claim following a groin injury that happened in a country outside the UK. The claim limitation date varies between countries and may be as short as six months.
• Under the Consumer Protection Act, if your injury was due to a faulty product, you could make a claim within three years after the defect was discovered.
• If you suffered a groin injury in a criminal assault, you could claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA requires you to bring a claim within two years after the attack.

Your solicitor will need to do a significant amount of work before they can file the court documents. As a result, most personal injury solicitors will not accept a case with less than six months left before the limitation date. Therefore, it is advisable to start your claim and contact a solicitor as soon as possible after your accident.

To start your claim, speak to a trained legal adviser by calling 0800 678 1410 for a free consultation. If you would prefer to receive a call back, you can arrange this by entering your details into our online claim form.