If you've suffered a knee injury in an accident that wasn't your fault, including fractures, dislocations or ligament damage, you could be eligible to make a knee injury compensation claim.
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Knee Injury Claims
If you suffered a knee injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a knee injury compensation claim. A claim can help you recover damages for pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation and any future care you may need.
Knee injuries are commonly caused by road traffic accidents, accidents at work, slips, trips and falls, sports and cases of medical negligence. They range from mild sprains and strains to severe ligament tears and fractures that may permanently impact your life.
We can help connect you with a solicitor who can review your knee injury and explain your options for making a compensation claim. To get started, call 0800 470 0472 today or use our online claim form to request a call back.
Key points about knee injury claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you injured your knee in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
- Common Causes: Slips, trips, workplace incidents, vehicle accidents and heavy lifting are all common causes of knee injuries.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the accident or diagnosis date to begin your compensation claim.
- Compensation: How much you can claim is based on the type and severity of the knee injury and may include damages for pain, mobility issues, and financial losses.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis — you’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a knee injury claim?
Yes. If you suffered a knee injury and another party was at fault, you might be entitled to claim compensation. This could cover any pain and suffering, loss of amenity and financial expenses you have incurred.
To start a claim, you must be able to prove that:
- Someone else owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty and caused an accident through negligence.
- This directly resulted in your knee injury.
- You are within the legal time limit to start a claim (generally 3 years).
A personal injury lawyer can confirm eligibility during a free case assessment over the phone.
Who is liable for my knee injury compensation claim?
Liability for your injury depends on where and how the accident occurred. In knee injury claims, the defendant will usually be:
- Another driver or road user who caused a road traffic accident.
- Your employer if they failed to follow health and safety regulations.
- The local council or a business owner, if they failed to maintain a public place properly.
- A healthcare professional, if you were harmed because of medical negligence.
- A manufacturing company, if you were injured due to a faulty product.
- A landlord, if they failed to carry out regular maintenance and repairs.
If your knee injury was due to a hit and run accident or collision with an uninsured driver, you can make a claim through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). Criminal injury claims following assaults are handled by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Is there a time limit to claim for a knee injury?
Yes, there is a general three-year time limit to make a personal injury claim, starting from the accident date. If an injury developed over time, the three years begin from the date it is diagnosed and linked to negligence (date of knowledge).
There are a few exceptions:
- The limitation period does not start until you turn 18. Before that, a child injury claim can be made at any time by a parent or legal guardian.
- The limitation period is suspended if the claimant lacks the mental capacity to start a claim.
- You have 2 years to start a claim through the CICA following a criminal assault.
- Military injury claims can be made through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) within 7 years.
How do I start a knee injury claim for compensation?
To start the knee injury claims process, simply contact a specialist personal injury solicitor. They will offer a free case assessment and confirm whether you can proceed, and help you gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and the extent of your injury, such as:
- Medical records and specialist reports attesting to your knee injury and its impact.
- Witness statements from anyone else who was present at the accident scene.
- Photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- CCTV or dash cam footage that might have captured the accident.
- Copies of police and accident reports.
- Evidence of any financial expenses you incurred because of your injury.
After gathering enough evidence, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the liable party and start negotiating a compensation amount. If liability is denied, they will issue court proceedings instead. However, most claims (over 97%) settle before going to trial.
How much compensation can I claim for a knee injury?
The amount of compensation awarded to you will depend on the type of injury you suffered and its prognosis. Below are some examples of knee injury compensation figures provided by the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th Edition:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Injuries | A knee injury that recovers fully or leaves minimal ongoing symptoms | Up to £18,000 |
| A moderate knee injury causing minor instability or weakness | £20,000 - £35,000 | |
| A significant knee injury causing ongoing pain, restricted movement or instability | £35,000 - £57,000 | |
| A leg fracture extending into the knee joint, causing constant pain, limited movement and risk of osteoarthritis | £69,000 - £92,000 | |
| A serious knee injury with joint disruption, ligament damage and osteoarthritis, causing pain and loss of function | £92,000 - £127,000 | |
| Leg Injuries | Amputation of one leg below the knee | £129,000 - £176,000 |
| Amputation of one leg above the knee | £138,000 - £182,000 | |
| Amputation of both legs below the knee | £266,000 - £357,000 |
These values reflect the general damages (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) incurred because of the injury. Your claim will also include any related financial losses and expenses, such as private treatments and lost wages due to taking time off work (special damages).
Compensation Calculator
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Calculate NowHow much will it cost to claim compensation for a knee injury?
If you’ve suffered a knee injury as a result of someone else’s negligence and you are eligible to claim compensation, you will be paired with a no win no fee personal injury solicitor.
This means that it will not cost you a single penny to start your claim, and there are no financial risks:
- If you win, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation (capped at 25% of certain parts of your damages).
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay them a single penny.
What are the most common types of knee injuries?
The most common knee injuries for which you could be eligible to make a claim for compensation include:
- Muscle damage – Injured muscles, such as the hamstring, may cause swelling, bruising, pain, and weakness, affecting your ability to move your knee.
- Knee dislocations – Occur when the knee bones move out of proper alignment, often requiring emergency treatment.
- Torn meniscus – Torn cartilage in the knee joint caused by awkward twisting of the knee, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Ligament injuries – Include damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Symptoms often include pain, swelling, tenderness, and loss of motion.
- Knee fractures – Fractures of the patella or surrounding bones caused by high-impact trauma, such as falls from a height, which can lead to severe pain, difficulty walking, and long-term mobility issues.
- Tendonitis and bursitis – Inflammation of the tendons or bursae, usually from repetitive movements, overuse, or trauma, causing pain, tenderness, and stiffness.
This list is not exhaustive. Other knee injuries can severely impact your quality of life, either temporarily or permanently. If your knee injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation from them.
What accidents are most likely to result in a knee injury claim?
Various types of accidents could result in a knee injury for which you may be eligible to claim compensation, including:
- Road traffic accidents – Car crashes, motorcycle accidents and collisions with pedestrians can lead to many different types of knee injuries, from dislocations to severe fractures or ligament damage.
- Bicycle accidents – Cyclists do not enjoy much protection on the road, and the knees are among the most common areas injured in bicycle accidents.
- Accidents at work – You can make a workplace accident claim against your employer if you suffered a knee injury from a slip and trip, machinery accident or manual handling.
- Slips, trips and falls – Slips, trips and falls often cause knee injuries such as sprains, meniscus tears, bruises and dislocations.
- Sports accidents – Sports that involve high impact and sudden changes of direction can result in sprains, strains, ligament tears, fractures and tendonitis.
- Medical negligence – Poor knee replacement surgery, delayed treatment, misdiagnosis and other types of medical negligence can lead to ongoing pain and mobility issues.
If you feel you may be entitled to compensation for your knee injury, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser.
