How much compensation for a broken leg?

You may be entitled to make a personal injury claim if you suffered a leg fracture due to someone else’s negligence. In this guide, we explain when you might be able to make a claim and how much compensation for a broken leg you could receive.

A broken leg injury can significantly disrupt your daily life and ability to work. Besides pain and discomfort, it can also lead to substantial financial losses and even long-term disability. All these may be included in your claim to help ensure you are appropriately compensated.

If you feel you may be able to make a claim, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back for a free consultation with a friendly legal adviser.

Key points about broken leg compensation

• Eligibility: You may be eligible to claim if your broken leg was caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault.
• Common Causes: Claims often follow slips, workplace accidents, road traffic collisions or public place injuries.
• Time Limit: You generally have 3 years from the accident date or diagnosis to begin a claim, with some exceptions.
• Compensation: Depends on the type and severity of the fracture, pain, surgery, recovery time, and financial losses.
• No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will offer a no win, no fee service, meaning you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.

Table of Contents

• What is included in a broken leg compensation claim?
• What is the average settlement for a broken leg injury?
• What factors will affect how much compensation I can claim for a broken leg?
• Can I still claim compensation if I was partially at fault?
• How much compensation for a broken leg could I receive from the CICA?
• How do I know if I can make a broken leg claim?
• What are the most common causes of leg fractures?
• How are leg fractures diagnosed and treated?
• Is there a time limit to claim leg injury compensation?
• How much does it cost to make a personal injury claim?

What is included in a broken leg compensation claim?

The compensation for a broken leg injury claim typically covers two types of damages: general damages and special damages. These are unique to each case and will be calculated based on your specific injury and its impact on your life.

General damages are awarded for losses that do not have a specific monetary value. These are subjective and intangible but have a very real impact on the claimant’s life. General damages are more difficult to calculate than special damages and could include:

• The present and future physical pain and distress caused by the injury
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Psychological trauma
• Loss of amenities, such as the ability to enjoy hobbies or leisure activities
• Impact on quality of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Long-term physical disability

Special damages are awarded for losses that have a specific monetary value attached to them. These are often significantly greater than general damages, especially for injuries that lead to long-term life changes. Special damages are based on evidence such as receipts and invoices and could include:

• Short-term medical expenses, such as consultations, diagnostic tests and surgeries
• Long-term medical expenses, such as specialist equipment, prescriptions and ongoing treatments
• Counselling, rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Loss of earnings during recovery
• The impact on your future earning capacity, potential and opportunities
• Travel expenses for going to medical appointments
• Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate your injury
• The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property
• The cost of care and assistance during recovery, even if provided by a loved one

To secure the maximum compensation amount, your personal injury solicitor will carefully assess how the leg fracture has impacted your life.

What is the average settlement for a broken leg injury?

As we’ve mentioned above, the amount of compensation you could receive for your broken leg will be made up of two types of damages. Special damages are calculated based on the financial documents you can produce, such as medical bills, receipts and payslips.

General damages, on the other hand, are based on the type and severity of your injury. According to the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, you could receive the following amounts for a broken leg injury, depending on your circumstances:

What factors will affect how much compensation I can claim for a broken leg?

Your solicitor will carefully consider various factors to maximise the value of your compensation claim. These include:

• The severity of your injury – the more severe the harm you suffered, the higher the compensation
• The recovery time – more extended recovery periods will increase the compensation amount
• The impact on your life – the extent to which the broken leg has affected your ability to work and carry out daily activities will also be considered
• The psychological impact – your compensation would increase if your injury also caused you mental distress, anxiety or depression
• Any complications – if the fracture caused complications such as chronic pain, tendon injuries or nerve damage, you would receive more compensation
• The degree of fault – if the defendant was not entirely at fault for the accident, your compensation award could be reduced
• The strength of evidence – a compelling case, backed by substantial evidence, will lead to a higher settlement compared to cases with weak evidence

Feel free to use our personal injury compensation calculator for an estimate of how much compensation you could get for a broken leg. Alternatively, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to speak to an experienced legal adviser.

Can I still claim compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes, you can still claim compensation for a broken leg even if you are partially to blame for your injury. This is known as contributory negligence and could occur in situations such as:

• You were not wearing your seatbelt during a road traffic accident
• You failed to use your personal protective equipment (PPE) while doing your job
• You crossed the street without looking for incoming traffic
• You ignored clear warning signs about a hazard, such as a wet floor
• You entered an area that was marked off-limits

Suffering a broken leg partially because of your fault does not waive your right to make a claim. However, your degree of blame will be considered when compensation is calculated.

For example, let’s say you suffered a severe leg fracture valued at £40,000 and were found to be 25% at fault. In this case, the damages awarded would be reduced by £10,000 to account for your contributory negligence.

How much compensation for a broken leg could I receive from the CICA?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government agency that provides financial compensation to people who have suffered harm as a result of a violent crime.

If you suffered a leg injury due to a criminal assault and you cannot make a personal injury claim against the perpetrator, you may be able to claim compensation through the CICA. The eligibility criteria include:

• You did nothing to instigate the assault
• You reported the incident to the police
• The crime happened in the UK, where you were a resident at the time
• You fully cooperated with the authorities in their investigations

The CICA awards compensation based on its tariff scheme. The tariff list includes over 400 injuries, valued between £1,000 and £250,000.

If you claim compensation through the CICA, you will typically receive less than in a civil personal injury claim. Your broken leg injury could be worth:

• £1,800 for a fractured femur with substantial recovery
• £4,600 for a broken femur causing ongoing significant disability
• £3,500 for femur fractures in both legs, with substantial recovery
• £11,000 for femur fracture in both legs, with continuing disability
• £1,000 for a simple fibula fracture in one leg
• £1,800 for a fibula fracture with ongoing disability
• £1,500 for fibula fractures in both legs, with substantial recovery
• £3,500 for fibula fractures in both legs, with continuing significant disability
• £1,800 for a fractured tibia with substantial recovery
• £4,600 for a broken tibia with ongoing, significant disability
• £3,500 for simple tibia fractures in both legs
• £11,000 for tibia fractures in both legs, with substantial, ongoing disability

How do I know if I can make a broken leg claim?

If you suffered a broken leg injury, the easiest way to find out if you can make a compensation claim is by getting in touch with a legal adviser. They will offer you a free case assessment and ask you some simple questions about your situation to determine whether:

• Another party owed you a legal duty of care
• They breached this duty and caused an accident to happen
• You have broken your leg due to that accident
• This happened within the past three years

If these apply to your case, you will be paired with a no win no fee solicitor experienced in claims for broken leg compensation. They will handle all legal aspects of your claim and help you gather the necessary evidence to support it. This could include:

• Medical records, such as diagnostic tests and doctor’s notes
• Statements from witnesses to the accident
• Pictures or videos of the accident scene and your injuries
• Your account of what happened and how your life was affected
• Evidence of financial losses, such as receipts and invoices

What are the most common causes of leg fractures?

Some of the most common situations leading to a broken leg accident claim include:

• Road traffic accidents. Collisions between cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians can lead to serious leg injuries, including severe fractures.
• Accidents at work. Falls from heights, falling objects or heavy machinery can cause a broken leg at work. Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, and failure to do so can lead to a workplace accident claim.
• Sports accidents. Many sporting activities can lead to leg fractures, especially when negligence, such as faulty equipment or poor ground conditions, is involved.
• Criminal assaults. Physical assaults that involve forceful kicks to the legs, pushing, throwing or being hit with a weapon can cause broken bones in the legs.
• Accidents in public places. The most common accidents in public places involve slips, trips and falls. These are typically due to hazards such as wet floors and uneven pavements.
• Overuse. Repetitive stress on the leg bones can, over time, lead to tiny cracks known as stress fractures. These are common in activities such as running or certain types of work, such as heavy lifting.
• Accidents at School and playground accidents. Falls from playground equipment, trips over obstacles and other incidents can also cause children to break a leg. Parents are entitled to make a claim on their behalf up until their 18th birthday.

How are leg fractures diagnosed and treated?

If you break your leg, immediate medical care is needed to ensure proper treatment and the best recovery. To diagnose your injury, your doctor will first examine your leg to look for signs of a fracture, such as swelling, deformity, tenderness and bruising.

They will also ask you about the circumstances of your injury and other symptoms, such as pain and inability to bear weight on the leg. If they suspect a broken bone, they will typically order X-rays to reveal the location and extent of the injury.

For complex fractures, you may also need a CT scan or MRI for detailed images of the bones and surrounding tissues. Once you have a diagnosis, treatment could involve:

• Immobilisation using a splint or cast to hold the bone in place while it heals
• Manual repositioning of the broken bone fragments under an anaesthetic
• Medication to manage pain and inflammation
• Surgery to realign the bones and stabilise them using rods, plates and screws
• Complex or severe fractures will also typically need physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Is there a time limit to claim leg injury compensation?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to claim for a broken leg. If you miss this deadline, your claim will usually be time-barred and no longer valid. There are some specific exceptions to this limitation date:

• If you suffered a stress fracture, the three years begin from when your injury was diagnosed and linked to someone else’s negligence, known as the date of knowledge.
• The three years only start to run on a person’s 18th birthday. That means you can make a child injury claim at any time before they turn 18, no matter when they were injured.
• There is no time limit for a litigation friend to claim on behalf of someone who cannot handle a legal case due to a condition affecting their mental capacity.
• You have two years to make a claim through the CICA if you broke your leg due to a criminal assault.

How much does it cost to make a personal injury claim?

If you are entitled to claim broken leg compensation, you will receive a no win no fee service from the solicitors we partner with. That means you won’t have to pay them any fees upfront or if your claim is unsuccessful.

Under this agreement, you only pay your lawyer if and after you receive compensation for your losses. In this case, they are entitled to a success fee capped at 25% of your general damages and past financial losses.

To start your claim today or find out how much compensation for a broken leg you might be entitled to receive, call 0800 470 0472 or use our contact form to request a call back.