What to consider when you claim for an avulsion fracture
- You can claim if you were injured in the workplace, in a road accident, or in a public location - you may have a claim.
- If a misdiagnosis or mistreatment of an avulsion fracture caused further harm, you could also claim for clinical negligence.
- General damages compensation vary from around £15,000 for a fracture with mild ongoing symptoms to over £145,000 for extensive fractures with lasting pain and loss of movement. Use our compensation calculator to find out how much you could receive.
- You must start your claim within 3 years from when the injury occurred.
- The amount of compensation you can claim depends on the severity of your injury and any financial losses or expenses.
- Claiming is risk-free with no win, no fee.
If an avulsion fracture has set you back, we'll help you move forward
An avulsion fracture, where a fragment of bone is torn away by a tendon or ligament, can be a painful and debilitating injury, often occurring in high-impact sporting activities or accidents.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by an avulsion fracture 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.
What is an avulsion fracture?
An avulsion fracture occurs when a small bone fragment attached to a tendon or ligament is pulled away from the main bone, often due to a sudden, forceful pull. These fractures commonly affect the ankle, knee, pelvis, hip, elbow, the 5th metatarsal, the navicular bone, and the ischial tuberosity ('sitting bone').
Avulsion fractures typically heal faster than traditional fractures, but may require precise surgery to reattach the separated fragment. If caused by a light impact, they can be easily missed or misdiagnosed, potentially leading to improper treatment and long-term health impacts.
For information on ankle injury symptoms and treatment, visit: ankle pain (nhs.uk).
You are not alone
Avulsion fractures are common among athletes and individuals engaged in sports or activities that involve sudden, forceful movements, or rapid changes in direction or speed. These fractures frequently occur in younger people, whose bones may be more susceptible to such injuries due to growth plate areas being weaker than the tendons and ligaments attached to them.
Avulsion fractures, where a tendon or ligament pulls away taking a small piece of bone with it, are common in the foot & ankle (wwl.nhs.uk).
How much compensation can I claim for an avulsion fracture?
Compensation for your avulsion fracture is determined by:
- how significant your injury is,
- how your injury affects your everyday life and work,
- the costs or financial losses you?ve experienced due to your injury.
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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 cover lost earnings, including loss of commission, bonuses, and pension contributions. You may also claim for future loss of earnings if a medical prognosis indicates you won't be able to work for a period of time.
These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your avulsion fracture such as pain relief, surgical fixation and physical therapy.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average avulsion fracture general damages compensation table
The following avulsion fracture 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).
Ankle injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Minor fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries with full recovery | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | A fracture or ligament injury with mild ongoing symptoms | £15,250 to £29,500 |
Elbow injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery within 18 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £3,920 |
| Recovery between 18 to 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £7,210 |
| Recovery after 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage | Up to £13,970 |
Knee injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | More serious knee injuries with a greater risk of future symptoms, pain and weakness | £16,460 to £29,050 |
| Serious | E.g. a leg fracture that extends to the knee joint, or injuries that cause constant pain and restricted movement, and/or a risk of osteoarthritis or future knee surgery | £29,050 to £48,210 |
| Severe | Severe symptoms, including ongoing pain, disability and which are likely to worsen and require future surgery (arthroplasty or arthrodesis) | £57,830 to £77,360 |
Pelvis and hip injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | Including fracture of acetabulum and injuries with a risk of future hip replacement surgery or leg instability | £43,460 to £58,250 |
| Severe | More serious leg injuries with worsening future symptoms | £68,680 to £86,980 |
| Very severe | Including extensive fractures, dislocation, bladder injuries, spondylolisthesis, exteme pain and permanent disability | £86,980 to £145,250 |
Do I have an avulsion fracture claim?
Yes, you can claim compensation for an avulsion fracture, if:
- you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
- someone else was responsible, and;
- they owed a duty of care to prevent 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 make a claim even if I'm partly liable?
Pinpointing liability for an accident will depend on the context, with different legal principles applying to different circumstances.
In our 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents felt they were at least partly responsible for their accident or injuries.
Even if you were partly at fault, you could still be able to claim compensation. 'Split liability' or 'contributory negligence' are terms used to describe these cases.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long after an avulsion fracture do I have to start a claim?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.
If you were injured when you were under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start an injury claim.
How compensation can help
As avulsion fractures cause pain, a claimant may find difficulty in completing a number of daily tasks, including working and other activities.
If the fracture was the result of an accident that was someone else's fault a claimant may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for special and general damages.
The compensation should cover the cost of loss of earnings, medical treatment and travel as well as an award for pain and suffering endured.
Clinical negligence in avulsion fracture cases
If an avulsion fracture occurs in an accident without negligence, such as overstretching or overexertion during exercise, a direct claim for the accident itself may not be possible. However, if medical professionals miss the fracture during an examination, leading to additional pain, suffering, or extended recovery, a clinical negligence claim may be pursued.
Read more:
Making a clinical negligence claim
How the cause of your avulsion fracture impacts the claims process
The process for making a claim varies with how your avulsion fracture happened. Click the icons to learn more.
Can I make a no win, no fee avulsion fracture claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim avulsion fracture compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to an injury specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackSources
Ankle pain - NHS (reviewed: 30/07/2024)
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.