If a digestive system illness or injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Digestive system problems resulting from medical errors or contaminated food can have long-lasting health effects.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a digestive system injury, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Compensation can help with treatment costs, dietary changes, and ongoing chronic conditions.
You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
With over 500,000 admissions for digestive issues each year, you are not alone
The NHS reported that 535,194 people were admitted to hospital in 2022-23 with digestive problems and related abdominal symptoms (digital.nhs.uk).
Most of the body's internal organs are involved in the digestion process, and as such if they are injured the digestive system can be upset. If you have digestive system problems as a result of an accident or an illness that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
How much compensation can I claim for a digestive system injury?
The compensation you can claim for your digestive system injury is based on:
- how severe your injury is,
- the effect of your injury on your daily routine and ability to work,
- any direct financial losses or expenses resulting from 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 are awarded to compensate you for any costs or losses you've incurred or might incur as a result of your accident. These costs might include loss of income, including future loss of income, or any other out of pocket expenses.
Special damages may also be awarded for medical treatments or procedures that you might need to treat your injury, including antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, probiotics and dietary changes.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average digestive system problem compensation payouts
The following digestive system problem 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).
Abdominal injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Serious non-penetrating injury | A serious non-penetrating injury, with permanent complications (e.g severe indigestion) | £18,630 to £30,800 |
| Severe damage | Including severe digestive system damage, ongoing pain, permanent complications, penetrating stab wounds and serious lacerations | £47,720 to £68,680 |
Bowel injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Some permanent damage | Returning to natural function & bladder control | £13,970 to £27,150 |
| Impairment of function from abdominal injury | You require a temporary colostomy, your diet, daily life and work is affected | £49,470 to £77,360 |
| Faecal urgency and passive incontinence | Surgery is required, and/or your symptoms cause embarassment & distress | Around £88,660 |
| Total loss of bowel function | A colostomy is required | Up to £166,540 |
| Loss of bladder and bowel function | Double incontinence and/or other medical complications | Up to £204,350 |
Digestive problems
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Pain, cramps and diahorea lasting days or weeks | £1,010 to £4,380 |
| Moderate | Food poisoning, cramps, and affected bowel function, with full recovery in one to two years | £4,380 to £10,580 |
| Serious | Serious food poisoning, possibly leading to toxicosis, hospital admission and IBS, affecting your work and quality of life | £42,640 to £58,250 |
Am I eligible for digestive system problem compensation?
You should be entitled to digestive system problem compensation if your injury resulted from the negligence or actions of another person or organisation, or from an accident that was not 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.
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 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents believed they were partly responsible for their injuries, or were uncertain.
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 digestive system problem diagnosis do I have to start a claim?
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.
About digestive system problems
The digestive system is an immensely complex internal system within the that transforms the food we eat into energy. It involves four main stages: Ingestion, mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption and egestion.
Healthy digestion is an important part of living a healthy life. Many factors can cause damage to the digestive system. Some common injuries and illness that can cause damage to the digestive system include:
- Stab wounds
- Industrial lacerations
- Seat belt pressure
- Ingesting chemicals
- Car accidents causing damage to internal organs
- Food poisoning
Injured internal organs can damage the digestive system, leading to further medical complications. This could include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastroenteritis, indigestion, and extreme sensitivity or allergies to some food groups, as well as a number of other problems like kidney or liver failure.
Making a compensation claim for digestive system problems
In order to make a compensation claim, a third party must be responsible for the injured digestive system. A claim of negligence will be made against the third party for failing in their duty of care. A third party might be:
An individual
If the injury was sustained in a fight or in a car accident that was not your fault.
A company
This could be a hotel company for example if the injury happened on holiday, or the manufacturer of a food item if this caused the injury to the digestive system.
An employer
If the injury happened at work the employer may be found responsible. This would be employer negligence.
Can I claim for rotavirus or norovirus infection?
Yes, if you can prove that someone else's negligence caused your infection.
Rotavirus and Norovirus commonly cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms appearing within 48 hours of exposure. Rotaviruses, resistant to many disinfectants, can survive for hours on hands and days on surfaces. Transmission often occurs in hygienic environments, especially among children who don't wash hands regularly. Most children contract rotavirus by age five, experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps for 3-8 days, sometimes leading to dehydration and hospitalization.
Adults can catch rotavirus from sick children, but with milder symptoms. Due to numerous variants, immunity is hard to develop, allowing for repeated infections.
If you decide to make a rotavirus 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.
Can I claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
IBS condition can develop as a 'secondary injury' following food poisoning on holiday, or as a side-effect of medication.
Proving that your IBS was caused by the negligence of another party can be a challenge. If you decide to make an irritable bowel syndrome 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.
See also:
Wrong prescription and medication error claims
IBS may occur whenever there is a change in the activity of the gut. The precise cause is not known. However, one or more of the following factors may play a part:
- Infection and bacteria in the gut. About one in six cases of IBS appear to follow a bout of food poisoning including campylobacter, e-coli, salmonella and cryptosporidium.
- Stress and emotional upset, such as post-accident anxiety. The onset of symptoms coincides with a stressful life event in about half of all IBS cases.
- Treatment for other conditions of the gut, including side-effects of prescription medication
When calculating damages for irritable bowel syndrome, awards are calculated solely by reference to the severity of the illness and the impact it has on your.
For the purposes of bringing a compensation claim, the cause of the accident does matter. The injury lawyer must prove that the defendant negligently caused the accident or food poisoning, and that the IBS arose as a result.
What can I claim compensation for?
Depending on the severity of the digestive system problem, compensation can be claimed for the following:
- Pain and suffering caused as a result of the injury
- Impact on lifestyle and quality of life
- Long-term health impact
- Income lost as a result of incapacitation
- Psychological damage as a result of injury
- Any medical costs incurred.
Some people will be affected by digestive system problems for the rest of their lives. This will impact on their quality of life and may result in further illness. Compensation can go some way to help alleviate suffering and discomfort.
What factors affect the digestive system injury claims process?
How your digestive system injury happened will affect your claim. Click the icons below for details.
Can I make a no win, no fee digestive system problem claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim digestive system problem 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
Diarrhoea and vomiting - NHS (reviewed: 27/07/2024)
Indigestion - NHS (reviewed: 30/07/2024)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - NHS (reviewed: 28/07/2024)
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.