If you've suffered a sprained ankle injury in an accident that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis.
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How Much Compensation for a Sprained Ankle?
If you have sprained your ankle due to someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation. This guide explains when you can make a claim and how much compensation for a sprained ankle you could receive.
The amount awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and its long-term impact. Other factors may also play a role, such as the accident circumstances, the strength of the evidence, and whether there was any contributory negligence.
Your solicitor will thoroughly assess all your losses and the impact on your life in order to seek the maximum award of compensation on your behalf.
To find out if you can make a sprained ankle claim and how much compensation you could be entitled to, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free consultation or request a call back.
Table of Contents
Am I entitled to make a sprained ankle compensation claim?
A personal injury solicitor can let you know within minutes if you can proceed with a sprained ankle compensation claim during a free consultation. To be entitled to compensation, the following must be established:
- Another party owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached their duty of care and caused an accident to happen.
- You suffered an ankle sprain as a direct result of that accident.
- You are within the legal time limit to start a claim (usually 3 years for adults, with different rules for children and some other cases).
If this can be proven, your solicitor will help you gather supporting evidence and handle all the legal aspects of the personal injury claims process on your behalf.
What is a sprained ankle injury?
A sprained ankle injury occurs when one or more ligaments in the ankle joint are overstretched or torn. This typically happens when you bend, twist, or roll your ankle in an awkward manner.
Based on severity, ankle sprains are classified into three grades:
- Grade 1: The ligaments are overstretched but not torn. Symptoms may include some pain, tenderness, and mild swelling.
- Grade 2: One or more ligaments are mildly torn. This can cause more significant pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
- Grade 3: One or more ligaments are entirely torn. Symptoms include severe pain, significant swelling and inability to bear weight.
A sprained ankle can take anywhere from one to several weeks to heal, depending on its severity.
How much compensation for a sprained ankle can I claim?
Every sprained ankle compensation amount is calculated based on two types of damages:
General damages
This part of the compensation covers the subjective impact of the injury on your life. More precisely, general damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and could include:
- Physical pain and discomfort.
- Emotional distress or anxiety.
- Loss of mobility or independence during recovery.
- Inability to participate in sports or hobbies.
- Impact on social life.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Increased risk of future injury.
Special damages
This part of the compensation award covers all financial losses and expenses you have incurred or will incur as a direct result of your sprained ankle.
They aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the accident not occurred, and could include:
- Loss of earnings during recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Prescriptions and private medical treatment.
- Rehabilitation and therapy.
- Care costs, even if provided by loved ones.
- Travel to medical appointments.
- Missed holidays or events.
- Mobility aids.
General damages are based on medical evidence, expert reports and witness testimony. Special damages are based on financial documents, such as receipts and invoices.
How is the compensation amount for a sprained ankle calculated?
Several factors will determine how much compensation you could be awarded for your ankle sprain, including:
- The type and severity of the injury.
- Your recovery period.
- The long-term effects of the injury.
- The impact on your work, hobbies and activities.
- Whether there is related emotional or psychological damage.
- The strength of evidence.
- Whether you have any degree of fault for the injury.
Your solicitor will aim to secure fair compensation for your injuries as efficiently as possible.
Examples of compensation awards for a sprained ankle claim
Every case is unique, and each sprained ankle injury settlement is calculated independently from the damages mentioned above.
The figures awarded for general damages are based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. According to our personal injury compensation calculator, you could receive the following awards, based on the type and severity of your injury:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries | A very severe ankle injury causing deformity and risk of future amputation | £66,000 - £92,000 |
| A severe ankle injury requiring extensive treatment and causing permanent walking difficulty | £41,000 - £66,000 | |
| An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground | £18,000 - £35,000 | |
| A minor ankle fracture, sprain or ligament injury recovering fully or leaving only mild symptoms | Up to £18,000 | |
| Achilles Tendon | Severed Achilles tendon and muscle injury causing restricted ankle movement and stopping active sports | In the region of £51,000 |
| Severed Achilles tendon successfully repaired by surgery, with some residual weakness or restricted movement | £33,000 - £40,000 | |
| Partial rupture or significant Achilles tendon damage | £17,000 - £28,000 | |
| Minor Achilles tendon damage | £9,600 - £17,000 |
Special damages are calculated using tangible evidence such as receipts, payslips and invoices. There is generally no fixed upper limit to the amount you can claim, as special damages are based on your actual, provable financial losses.
Can I claim for a sprained ankle that happened abroad?
If you suffer a sprained ankle abroad, you may still be able to claim compensation. Depending on the circumstances, you could claim compensation against:
- A UK-based tour operator, if the accident occurred as part of a package holiday (for example, you slipped in a hotel booked by your tour operator).
- The party responsible for your injury, if you travelled independently. In this case, your claim may be brought under the laws of the country you travelled to.
- Your employer, if you travelled abroad for work, and the injury is related to your employment.
If you can make a claim under UK law, your sprained ankle compensation payout will be calculated according to the Judicial College guidelines mentioned above.
If you need to make your claim in another country, the amount of compensation you receive may be higher or lower than in the UK, depending on the country’s laws and guidelines.
An experienced solicitor will be able to give you more details about your compensation prospects during a free case assessment.
Can I still claim compensation if I was partially at fault for my ankle injury?
If you suffered an ankle injury in an accident that was partially your fault, you can still claim compensation. However, the amount you receive will likely be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to your actions. This is known as contributory negligence.
For example, if you suffered a severe Achilles injury valued at £20,000, but you are found to be 25% at fault for it, you would receive £15,000 if you win the claim.
Examples of contributory negligence in a claim for an ankle sprain include:
- Wearing inadequate footwear.
- Ignoring warning signs.
- Running in unsafe conditions.
- Failing to seek prompt medical care.
It is essential to keep in mind that the defendant has the burden of proving that you were partly to blame for the accident and subsequent injury.
What accidents could lead to a sprained ankle injury claim?
A sprained ankle injury compensation claim can arise from various types of accidents, including:
- Slips, trips and falls on uneven or slippery floors can cause you to twist and sprain your ankle.
- Accidents at work that are caused by hazards like loose cables, faulty equipment or a lack of health and safety measures.
- Road traffic accidents, where a sudden impact can forcefully twist your ankle, resulting in a sprain.
- Accidents on holiday or abroad, such as slips in hotels, by swimming pools or during outdoor activities.
- Sports accidents that are caused by poor ground conditions, sudden movements or a lack of safety equipment.
- Criminal assaults, such as being knocked down or pushed, can also cause the ankle to twist or bend.
Evidence to help secure the maximum compensation for a sprained ankle
You need various types of evidence to make a personal injury claim for a sprained ankle and secure the maximum amount of compensation for your pain and suffering. This includes:
- Your medical records, detailing the type of ankle sprain you suffered and your prognosis for recovery.
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene and any visible signs of injury, such as swelling or bruising.
- CCTV or dashcam footage, if available.
- A copy of an accident report if you were injured at work or in a public place.
- Police reports, if you were involved in a hit and run or criminal assault.
- Witness statements and your own testimony.
- A diary of symptoms and daily activities that were affected by your injury.
- Proof of financial losses, such as receipts, payslips, bank statements and invoices.
How long do I have to claim compensation for a sprained ankle?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, the general time limit for starting a personal injury claim, including for a sprained ankle, is three years. There are, however, a few exceptions:
- For children, the three-year period only begins on their 18th birthday, and a parent can make a child injury claim on their behalf at any time before that.
- If the claimant lacks the mental capacity to handle their own case, the three-year time limit is paused for as long as they lack capacity.
- Claims for criminal assaults made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) generally have a two-year time limit.
Can I make an ankle sprain claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. If you are eligible to claim compensation for a sprained ankle, your solicitor will offer you a 100% no win no fee service. This means that:
- You don’t pay them anything at the beginning of your claim or throughout the process.
- If your claim fails, you will not owe them a single penny.
- If you make a successful sprained ankle claim, they are entitled to a percentage of your compensation, known as a success fee (capped at 25% of damages for pain, suffering, loss of amenity and past financial losses).
To find out if you can make a compensation claim on a no win no fee basis, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free case assessment or request a call back using our contact form.
