If you've suffered a shoulder injury in an accident that wasn't your fault, you could be eligible to make a no win no fee shoulder injury claim.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Shoulder Injury Claims
A shoulder injury can cause a lot of pain, suffering and financial losses. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible to make a shoulder injury claim on a no win, no fee basis.
You could claim compensation following a slip and fall on a wet floor, a road traffic accident caused by a reckless driver, an accident at work caused by a lack of training, and many other incidents involving a breach of duty.
To find out if you have a valid shoulder injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 for a free case assessment or request a call back using our contact form.
Key points about shoulder injury claims
- Eligibility: You may be eligible to claim if you injured your shoulder in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
- Accident Types: Common causes include trips and falls, road collisions, heavy lifting at work, or accidents caused by faulty equipment.
- Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the accident or diagnosis to begin your shoulder injury claim.
- Compensation: Depends on the type and severity of the injury, any mobility limitations, pain, and impact on your daily life and earnings.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will pursue your case on a no win, no fee basis, which means you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
Can I make a shoulder injury claim?
Yes. You can make a shoulder injury claim if the following criteria apply to your case:
- Another party (the defendant) owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached their duty by acting negligently and caused an accident.
- As a result, you suffered a shoulder injury.
- The accident took place within the last three years.
A free consultation with a personal injury solicitor can let you know within minutes if you have a valid case and what compensation payout you could expect.
Who will pay compensation for a shoulder injury?
Liability for your injury will be established based on legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, depending on the accident. Usually, the liable party for a shoulder injury might be:
- A negligent driver who caused a road traffic accident.
- Your employer, if they failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe at work.
- A local council, if you were injured due to an uneven pavement or a pothole.
- A manufacturer, if your injury was caused by a faulty product.
- A business owner who failed to keep the premises safe for visitors.
- Your landlord, if they failed to repair hazards in your rented property.
- A medical professional, if your shoulder injury was caused or worsened by substandard care.
How long do I have to claim compensation for a shoulder injury?
Every personal injury claim for a shoulder injury must typically be brought within three years from the accident date. There are a few exceptions to the shoulder injury claim time limit:
- If the injury developed over time, such as from manual handling at work, the three years begin on the date you received a diagnosis. This is known as the date of knowledge.
- For most child injury claims, the three-year countdown only begins after the child turns 18 and can make a claim on their own behalf.
- There is generally no limitation period to claim compensation for a shoulder injury as the litigation friend of someone who lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves.
- If you suffered a shoulder injury from an assault, you have two years to make a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
How do I make a shoulder injury compensation claim?
If you believe you have grounds to claim compensation for a shoulder injury, you should contact an experienced shoulder injury solicitor as soon as possible.
If you can proceed, they will help you gather supporting evidence, contact the defendant, and guide you through all the steps of the claims process. To prove your shoulder compensation claim, you typically need:
- Visual evidence. It would help to have photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, or CCTV footage if available.
- Medical records. These will attest to the extent and severity of your injury and the treatments you received.
- Accident reports. If you were injured at work or in a public place, make sure you report it to the responsible party and ask for a signed copy of the accident report.
- Witness statements. Ask for the contact details of any witnesses to the accident who can support your version of the events.
- Police reports. These will help support your claim if you were involved in a hit and run or suffered a shoulder injury due to a physical assault.
- Financial evidence. You need receipts and invoices to prove the expenses you incurred because of your injury.
How much compensation for a shoulder injury could I claim?
The amount of compensation you could receive will be determined by several factors:
- The type of injury and its severity.
- The circumstances in which you were injured.
- The related financial losses you incurred.
- Whether you share any fault for the accident.
- Your recovery prospects.
If you have a valid claim, your solicitor will negotiate a fair compensation amount to cover your pain and suffering (general damages) and related financial losses (special damages).
Examples of shoulder injury compensation payouts based on the Judicial College guidelines
The 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines provides the following compensation brackets for a shoulder injury. These figures are intended as a general guide and will be considered alongside your specific circumstances.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Injuries | A severe shoulder injury causing significant neck and/or arm symptoms | £25,000 - £63,000 |
| A serious shoulder injury causing permanent symptoms | £17,000 - £25,000 | |
| A moderate shoulder injury with limited movement and discomfort for more than two years | £10,000 - £17,000 | |
| A minor shoulder injury recovering fully within 1-2 years | £5,800 - £10,000 | |
| A minor shoulder injury recovering fully within 3-12 months | £3,200 - £5,800 | |
| A minor shoulder injury recovering fully within 3 months | Up to £3,200 |
These figures only cover your pain and loss of amenity. Your claim will also include special damages for lost income, treatment costs, care, and other financial losses, which can significantly increase your compensation award.
Can I make a no win no fee shoulder injury compensation claim?
Yes. If you are entitled to compensation for shoulder injuries, your solicitor will be happy to represent you on a no win no fee basis. A conditional fee agreement offers numerous benefits, including:
- You do not have to pay any upfront solicitor fees.
- You can start a claim regardless of your financial situation, at no risk.
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not owe a penny to your solicitor.
- You will receive support and advice at every step of the process.
You only have to pay your solicitor if you win. In this case, they will deduct a success fee of a maximum of 25% of the damages awarded for pain, suffering and past financial losses.
What type of shoulder injuries can I claim compensation for?
There are many types of shoulder injuries for which you could be eligible to claim compensation. The most common ones include:
- Shoulder sprains and strains – Injuries to the shoulder ligaments, tendons, or muscles, usually caused by overstretching. They cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Shoulder dislocations – When the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket due to trauma, falls, or sudden rotation. This causes severe pain, deformity, and inability to move the arm.
- Frozen shoulder – Inflammation of the shoulder joint caused by trauma or certain health conditions. It causes pain, extreme stiffness, and limited range of motion.
- Rotator cuff tear – An injury to the tendons and muscles that control arm lifting and rotation, typically from overuse, falls, or heavy lifting.
- Shoulder impingement – Develops when the rotator cuff constantly rubs against the edge of the scapula, which causes swelling, pain, and irritation. It is often set off by movements that require constant lifting of the arms over the head.
- Shoulder fractures – A break in the collarbone, shoulder blade, or humerus caused by a fall or road accident. Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity.
What are the most common causes of shoulder injury claims?
Many types of accidents can cause shoulder injuries. As long as someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you could make a no win no fee shoulder injury compensation claim. Examples include:
- Road traffic accidents. Depending on the severity of the impact and the road users involved, these can cause soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains, rotator cuff tears, shoulder fractures, or dislocations.
- Shoulder injuries at work. Workplace accidents involving machinery, forklifts, falls from height, or manual handling can cause shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, and even more severe injuries such as crushed bones.
- Slips, trips, and falls. These common accidents could happen anywhere, including on the street, at school, in supermarkets, and at train stations, and can cause a wide range of shoulder injuries.
- Criminal assaults. Blunt force trauma or injuries from sharp weapons can cause deep lacerations, nerve damage, fractures, dislocations, and long-term disability.
- Sports injuries. Almost any sport can lead to shoulder injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and frozen shoulder. A claim can be made if your injury was due to inadequate facilities, faulty equipment, or other types of negligence.
Regardless of how you were injured, you might be entitled to compensation. To find out if you have a valid claim and how much compensation for a shoulder injury you could receive, call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation with a legal adviser or request a call back.
