If a compound fracture injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
A compound fracture is a bone break where the bone pierces the skin, caused by high-impact trauma. Treatment often involves surgery, immobilisation, and antibiotics to prevent infection.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a compound 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 a compound fracture?
Compound fractures are a category of fracture where the skin is pierced, such that the bone sticks out through the skin. Open wounds carry a significant risk of infection, so compound fractures are considered to be a serious medical incident. There is also an increased risk of shock and tissue damage associated with this type of break.
If an infection develops, there may be problems with bone healing. In many cases, surgery is needed to stabilise the bone and repair the muscles, often involving the use of pins. There may also be an ongoing need for physiotherapy to restore mobility in the affected area.
For information on broken and fractured bone symptoms and treatment, see: How do I know if I've broken a bone? (nhs.uk).
With over 440,000 fracture hospitalisation each year, you are not alone
NHS England reported 449,077 fracture admissions in 2022-23, including 2,399 people who sustained fractures to multiple body parts (digital.nhs.uk).
If you have suffered a compound fracture as a result of an accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
How much compensation can I claim for a compound fracture?
The compensation you can claim for a compound fracture depends on several factors:
- how severe your injury is,
- the way your injury affects your day-to-day life and work,
- any direct financial losses or expenses resulting from your injury.
Compound fracture 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 are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for loss of earnings (including future anticipated earnings loss), retraining costs, career trajectory impact, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as surgery, antibiotics, pain medication 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 compound fracture injury general damages compensation table
The following compound fracture 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).
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 |
Arm injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Less severe | Less severe injury to one or both arms, with onoing disability but good prospects for recovery | £21,300 to £43,460 |
| Serious | Serious fracture of one or both forearms, with scarring and/or ongoing disability | £43,460 to £66,410 |
Cheekbone injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple fractures with surgery | Complete recovery that requires surgery | £4,830 to £7,160 |
| Serious fractures | Surgery required, with permanent symptoms, scarring or disfigurement | £11,320 to £17,510 |
Facial injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple fractures | Multiple fractures of facial bones, with some facial deformity | £16,530 to £26,560 |
| Skeletal injuries | Le Fort fractures of frontal facial bones | £26,420 to £40,760 |
Jaw injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | Serious fracture, with permanent symptoms (e.g. difficulty eating or nerve damage) | £19,930 to £33,830 |
| Severe | Serious multiple fractures that require prolonged treatment, and/or permanent symptoms (including pain, paraesthesia, and a risk of arthritis) | £33,830 to £50,520 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| More serious fractures | Incomplete fracture recovery with ongoing symptoms | £19,930 to £30,800 |
| Moderate | Including multiple leg fractures and crush injuries | £30,800 to £43,490 |
| Serious | Serious leg injury e.g. compound or comminuted fractures;Injuries to joints or ligaments;Long period of no weight bearing;Probability of arthritis; | £43,490 to £60,840 |
Neck injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | Severe fractures, dislocation, soft tissue damage, ruptured tendons, and/or chronic disability | £50,450 to £62,120 |
| Severe | Serious fractures or damage to discs, with disability and substantial loss of neck movement, including loss of function in one or more limbs | £72,950 to £145,250 |
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 |
Shoulder injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clavicle fracture | Injuries causing some pain and disability, e.g. a displaced, fractured clavicle | £5,710 to £13,580 |
Wrist injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery | £6,750 to £11,480 |
| Serious | Some permanent disability, persistent pain and/or stiffness | £13,970 to £27,180 |
| Severe - Some useful movement retained | Significant permanent disability, with largely restricted movement | £27,180 to £43,460 |
| Very Severe - Complete loss of function | Complete and permanent loss of wrist function | £52,830 to £66,410 |
Am I eligible for compound fracture injury compensation?
You will be able to claim compensation if you've been injured or diagnosed with an illness in the last three years and it wasn't your fault.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.
Is a claim still possible if I am partly liable?
Ascertaining who is liable for an accident is not always straightforward and can often involve blame on both sides.
In our 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents said they either were unsure of which party was responsible, or believed they were partially responsible for their injuries.
Even if your actions or negligence played a role in the accident, you could still be eligible for compensation. Cases with shared fault (contributory negligence) frequently settle through a split liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long after a compound fracture injury do I have to claim compensation?
In most cases, you have up to 3 years from the date of your accident or injury to start a claim.
For an injured child, the three-year limitation period begins on their 18th birthday, giving them until they are 21 to start a claim.
Common causes of compound fractures
The workplace is the most common location for this type of injury to occur. For example, a worker could trap their hand or arm in heavy machinery, causing broken bones and crush injuries. Compound fractures may also be sustained in impact accidents such as road traffic accidents, sporting accidents and falls from height.
Incorrect or delayed treatment of a compound fracture can also lead to complications. Examples include the onset of infections such as MRSA or the bones not knitting together properly, causing permanent weakness. Where an injury has been made worse by substandard medical treatment, a claim may be brought in medical negligence.
See also:
The impact of compound fracture injuries
Compound fractures can result in permanent, disabling injuries such as:
- Scarring from surgical intervention
- Reduced mobility in the affected area
- Difficulty holding objects or operating machinery depending on the site of the injury
- Increased risk of developing arthritis in the future
As an initial step, an injury lawyer will arrange for an independent medical examination to assess the extent and severity of the injuries and their likely future impact. This medical report, and the solicitor's assessment, will form the basis of a compensation claim.
How the cause of your fracture affects the claims process
The claims process depends on how your compound fracture occurred. Click the icons below to learn more.
Can I make a no win, no fee compound fracture injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim compound fracture injury 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?
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How do I know if I have broken a bone? - NHS (reviewed: 29/07/2024)
Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.