What to consider when making an elbow injury claim

  • Compensation can range from £3,920 for a simple elbow fracture to £60,840 for a severe, disabling elbow injury.
  • You can claim if your injury happened at work, on the road, or in slip, trip or fall in public.
  • You can also claim if a medical professional's negligence meant your elbow injury got worse or harder to treat.
  • You can make a claim within 3 years of your injury date.
  • Your compensation is based on how serious your injury is, along with your financial losses and expenses. Check our compensation calculator to see how much you could claim.
  • You're eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.

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

An elbow injury can compromise your arm function and your independence, leading to compensation claims for recovery treatments, adjustments in your personal and work life, and the direct financial impact.

If you have been affected by an elbow injury, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

We can help you make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

With over 60,000 admissions for elbow and forearm injuries each year, you are not alone

68,322 patients were admitted to hospital in 2022-23 with elbow and forearm injuries, from an analysis of NHS data (digital.nhs.uk).

Many elbow injuries are sustained as a result of accidents, such as car accidents, slips or falls. However, the most frequent type of elbow injury develops over time, due to repetitive strain on the muscles and tendons of the elbow area. The majority of repetitive strain elbow injuries occur in the workplace. If you have sustained an elbow injury through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to make an elbow injury claim.

If you decide to make an elbow 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 are looking for information on elbow and arm pain symptoms and treatment, see: elbow and arm pain (nhs.uk).

Typical elbow injuries

The elbow is one of the more complicated joints in the body. Common injuries include:

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

This type of injury usually occurs as a result of overuse of the elbow joint. The ligaments of the elbow become inflamed and extremely painful to move. In the workplace, this type of injury is often referred to as a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Over time, the pain associated with this condition can make it increasingly difficult to carry out routine personal and work-related tasks. Treatments range from anti-inflammatories and pain medication, to wearing a supportive elbow brace.

Fractures and breaks

Fractured or broken elbow bones can cause damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Severe ulnar collateral ligament injury, or tearing, may require surgery to repair and can take over a year to completely heal.

Bursitis

This type of injury can arise if the elbow sustains a severe blow. Symptoms are extreme pain, swelling and tenderness in the affected area. A fluid-filled sac (a "bursa") forms under the skin to protect the damaged area. In severe cases, the bursa may need to be drained by a medical professional.

Strains and tears

A strain is an injury to a muscle, tendon or ligament caused by over stretching. If the over stretching is severe, tears in the affected tissue may result. Surgical repair is often recommended for torn muscles, tendons or ligaments. Surgery of this type may need extended recovery time off work. Elbow injury claims make it possible to recover compensation for elbow injuries caused by the negligence of another party.

How much compensation can I claim for an elbow injury?

Your compensation for your elbow injury is based on:

  • how significant your injury is,
  • how your injury impacts your life and ability to work,
  • any financial burdens or costs arising from your injury.

Elbow injury compensation calculator

Find out how much compensation you could claim in just a few minutes. Check your legal eligibility and see if you qualify for a No Win, No Fee claim.

Updated February 2025 Compensation Calculator v3.1

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 elbow injury such as pain medication and physiotherapy.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average elbow injury compensation payouts

The following elbow 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).

Elbow injury

Example Amount
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms Up to £3,920
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms Up to £7,210
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage Up to £13,970
Injuries with permanent symptoms, where surgery is not required £17,360 to £35,520
A severe injury with serious ongoing disability £43,460 to £60,840

Can I claim for PTSD or other psychological trauma?

Although psychiatric injuries are less obvious than physical injuries and illness, mental health conditions can be no less debilitating.

Our 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey found that 29.03% of claimants reported a psychological injury, with 70.97% of these relating to a physical injury.

Elbow injuries can lead to anxiety about arm mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks, and a phobia of movement (also known as fear-avoidance behavior or FAB).

Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.

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 have an elbow injury claim?

Yes, you can make a claim for an elbow injury, if:

  • you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
  • another person was at fault, and;
  • that person had a legal duty of care to safeguard you from 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.

What happens if I share some of the blame?

Figuring out who is legally at fault for an accident can sometimes be complex and nuanced.

According to our recent 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents thought that their actions could have contributed, either in part or wholly, to their injuries.

You can often still claim compensation even if you were partly to blame, as cases with shared fault usually settle with 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 start an elbow injury 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 do I make an elbow injury claim?

To make a successful compensation claim, it will be necessary to prove that:

  • The injury was caused by a third party's lack of due care
  • The injury was caused by the accident that resulted from the other party's negligence

Your lawyer will arrange for an independent medical report of your elbow injury. This medical report is vital. It will provide evidence of the nature and severity of your injury, and expert medical opinion on likely future effects of the injury.

Evidence will also need to be gathered which proves the third party's liability for the cause of your elbow injury. Your lawyer will assist you in gathering the necessary police reports, CCTV footage, or workplace evidence, to support your claim.

How the cause of your elbow injury impacts the claims process

The process for claiming varies based on how you injured your elbow. Click the icons to find out more.

Can I make a no win, no fee elbow injury claim?

Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim elbow 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.

Find out more about how no win, no fee claims work

Get expert advice now

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Chris Salmon, Director

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director