Achilles Tendon Injury
Compensation Claims

Essential points when claiming for an Achilles tendon injury

• Claims can result in compensation from £8,060 for a twisted ankle with some tendon damage to as much as £42,640 for a severed Achilles tendon.
• Claims can be made for tendon injuries suffered at work, on the road, in public places, or due to a healthcare professional's mistake.
• You must start your claim within 3 years from when the injury occurred.
• Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
• You can start a claim with no win, no fee.

If an Achilles tendon injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Achilles tendon injuries can immediately affect your mobility, causing considerable pain, a lengthy recovery, and often require surgery. If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by an Achilles tendon injury, we can help.

If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

You are not alone

Achilles tendon injuries are relatively common, particularly among athletes and active individuals. This tendon, vital for walking, running, and jumping, is prone to overuse and strain.

Injuries can range from mild tendonitis, involving inflammation and pain, to more severe ruptures that may require surgical intervention and extended recovery periods. Such injuries are often the result of intense physical activity, inadequate stretching, or wearing improper footwear during high-impact sports.

In 2022/23, 473,000 workers are suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, and around 20% of all work related MSDs affect the lower limbs. The majority of work related MSDs develop progressively over time, usually as a result of continuous, repetitive movements.(hse.gov.uk)

462 patients were admitted to hospital in 2022-23 with tendon injuries to their ankle and foot, according to our review of NHS England data (digital.nhs.uk).

If you decide to make an Achilles tendon injury claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you need information on ankle injury symptoms and treatment, visit: Achilles tendon injuries (NHS).

How much compensation can I claim for an Achilles tendon injury?

The compensation you can claim for your Achilles tendon injury will depend on:

• the extent of your injury,
• how your injury influences your daily activities and work abilities,
• any financial burdens or costs arising from your injury.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your Achilles tendon injury such as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), physiotherapy, pain medication and orthotic devices.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average achilles tendon injury general damages compensation table

The following achilles tendon injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Achilles tendon injury

Can I claim compensation for a psychological injury?

If you have experienced psychological issues in addition to physical symptoms, you are not alone.

Our 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey found that 29.03% of claimants reported a psychological injury, with 70.97% of these relating to a physical injury.

An Achilles tendon injury can cause anxiety about future mobility, affecting future participation in physical activities, and kinesiophobia (fear of movement or motion due to injury).

Compensation for psychological harm can help you access mental health support and therapies not always available through the NHS.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

Do I qualify for achilles tendon injury compensation?

You can make a claim for an Achilles tendon injury, if:

• you became ill in the last 3 years, and;
• someone else was responsible, and;
• they had a legal responsibility to prevent foreseeable harm.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

Can I claim compensation if I was partly at fault?

The law concerning liability (or blame) for an accident is complex, and varies depending on the situation.

In our 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents believed they were partly responsible for their injuries, or were uncertain.

When fault on both sides caused a claimant's injuries, this is called 'contributory negligence'. In these situations, compensation may still be payable on the basis of a split liability agreement.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

How long do I have to claim achilles tendon injury compensation?

For most injury claims, you have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start the claims process.

The 3 year limitation period does not apply to minors (under 18s). A parent, guardian or litigation friend can start a claim on a child's behalf up to their 18th birthday and the child has until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.

Types of Achilles tendon injury

The Achilles tendon is located just above the heel of the foot. This tendon connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. Achilles tendon injuries can lead to long-term pain, restricted movement and difficulty walking, and may require specialist treatment and physiotherapy.

The main types of Achilles tendon injury are:

• Sprain - violent wrench or twist of the ligaments
• Strain - tearing of the muscle fibres as a result of over-stretching
• Tendon rupture - a sudden full or partial tear in a tendon
• Tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon
• Tendinopathy - the gradual deterioration of a tendon
• Tenosynovitis - inflammation of the protective sheath surrounding a tendon

When you start a compensation claim, your solicitor will arrange for an independent medical professional to assess your injury and the impact it has had on your life and work.

Evidence of your injury, to support your claim, will be detailed in a medical report prepared by the independent medical expert. The medical report will be arranged by your solicitor at no cost to you. Using the information in this medical report, your solicitor will determine how much compensation your Achilles tendon injury claim should be worth.

Can I claim for an overuse Achilles tendon injury caused by my job?

Yes. MSDs like Tendinopathy and Tendonitis affect a significant number of people in the workplace. If your injury resulted from the actions or negligence of your employer, a claim ,may be possible.

What was the cause of your Achilles tendon injury?

The claims process for an Achilles tendon injury will depend on where and how the accident happened. Click the icons below for more information:

Public places Work accidents Road accidents Medical negligence Other accidents

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.