Key points when making a fracture or broken bone claim
- If your injury occurred while working, driving, or in a public setting you can claim compensation.
- You can also claim if a fracture or broken bone was misdiagnosed, or you received inadequate medical care.
- Compensation can start at £1,890 for a simple fracture, up to £145,250 for extensive hip fractures and disability.
- There is a 3-year time limit from the date of your injury to start your claim.
- Your claim can proceed on a no win, no fee basis.
- The amount of compensation you can claim depends on the severity of your injury and any financial losses or expenses. Use our compensation calculator to find out how much you could receive.
- Your compensation can pay for physical rehabilitation and mobility aids if required.
If a fractured or broken bone injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a fractured or broken bone, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Compensation will depend on your injury's severity and the potential long-term impact, such as physical therapy needs, surgical interventions, and time off work during recovery.
You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
Over 320,000 people are hospitalised with a fracture every year, you are not alone
According to an analysis of NHS England data, 320,062 patients were admitted to hospital in 2022-23 with fracture injuries, including over 54,000 forearm fractures, 24,000 facial and skull fractures and 2,399 patients with factures of multiple body parts (digital.nhs.uk).
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that 148,000 workers sustained injuries requiring more than 7 days absence from work last year. Many of these workplace injuries involved fractured or broken bones.
If you work in a physically active job, such as construction, agriculture or logistics, a break or bad break or fracture could keep you off work for weeks or months.
If you have suffered a bone fracture or break in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you may be able to claim compensation.
For information on fracture symptoms and treatment, see: How do I know if I've broken a bone? (nhs.uk).
How much compensation can I claim for a fracture or broken bone?
The compensation you can claim for your fracture or broken bone will depend on:
- the extent of your injury,
- the impact of your injury on your daily life and ability to work,
- any financial burdens or costs arising from your injury.
Fractured or broken bone 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 is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your fractured or broken bone injury or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.
Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include casting or splinting, pain medication, physiotherapy and surgery if needed.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average fractured or broken bone injury compensation payouts
The following fractured or broken bone 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm fracture(s) | Simple fracture to one or both forearms; | £7,330 to £21,300 |
| Serious | Serious fracture of one or both forearms, with scarring and/or ongoing disability | £43,460 to £66,410 |
Back injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | A back sprain, disc prolapse, soft tissue injury or minor fracture that fully recovers without surgery | £2,720 to £13,870 |
| Moderate | A disc lesion, prolapse, fracture or soft tissue injury leading to chronic conditions, including pain, mobility issues, impaired sexual function, psychological effects, a risk of arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and nerve root irritation | £13,870 to £30,800 |
| Severe | Severe spinal cord damage, nerve root damage, disc lesions, fractures and soft tissues leading to serious chronic conditions | £43,020 to £178,590 |
Cheekbone injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple fractures without surgery | Complete recovery with no surgery required | £2,570 to £3,320 |
| 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 |
Chest injuries
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rib fracture or soft tissue injury | Serious pain and/or disability for several weeks | Up to £4,380 |
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 |
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 |
Finger injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relatively minor injury | Finger fractures that recover in under 6 months, and/or injuries with tenderness, pain in cold weather, or scarring | Up to £5,270 |
| Index finger fracture | Fracture fully heals, but with ongoing pain, disability and an increased risk of osteoarthritis | £10,110 to £13,570 |
| Finger fractures | Fractures that cause deformity, affect sensation, and/or have a long term affect on your grip and ability to use your hand | Up to £40,760 |
Foot injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Modest | Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments, or puncture wounds | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | Displaced metatarsal fractures, deformity and/or continuing symptoms, where further surgery is required | £15,250 to £27,730 |
| Serious | Injuries affecting your mobility, including fracture of both heels or feet, heel fusion, osteoporosis, ulceration and symptoms including deformity that requires a brace | £27,730 to £43,490 |
Hand injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) injuries to one or both hands | A fracture or break recovering within 6 months, and/or with scarring, tenderness and pain in cold weather | Up to £5,270 |
Jaw injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Simple fracture requiring immobilisation, and/or with full recovery | £7,160 to £9,690 |
| 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 |
Knee injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple tibia or fibula fracture | Simple fracture with full recovery | Up to £13,140 |
| Simple femur fracture | Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| Less serious | Less serious injuries, e.g. simple leg fractures | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Fracture or dislocation injuries, or worsening of existing conditions, including wrenching, disc lesions and cervical spondylosis | £27,730 to £42,700 |
| 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 |
Nose injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Undisplaced fracture | Simple undisplaced fracture with full recovery | £1,890 to £2,800 |
| Displaced fracture | Recovery after manipulation with no surgery required; | £2,800 to £3,500 |
| Displaced fracture with surgery | Complete recovery following surgery | £4,380 to £5,660 |
| Serious/multiple fractures | After surgery, permanent damage to airways with breathing difficulty, and/or nerve damage, scarring or disfigurement | £11,810 to £25,650 |
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 |
| 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 |
Thumb injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Thumb fracture with recovery in under 6 months, and/or with scarring, tenderness or pain in the cold | Up to £5,270 |
| Serious | Injuries that impair your grip and dexerity, including partial amputation, nerve damage, and fractures requiring wires | £13,970 to £18,600 |
Toe injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Simple fractures or cuts, with discomfort and scarring, or worsening of an existing condition | Up to £10,650 |
| Serious | Multiple fractures of two or more toes or a serious injury to your big toe, and/or permanent disability from pain or sensitive scarring | £10,650 to £15,250 |
Wrist injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser | Relatively minor soft tissue injury or displaced fracture, with a full recovery within 12 months | £3,920 to £5,260 |
| Moderate | Uncomplicated Colles' fracture | Around £8,250 |
| Moderate | Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery | £6,750 to £11,480 |
Claiming compensation for psychological injuries
Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.
According to our 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey shows that 29.03% of potential claimants sustained a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.
Fractured bones can cause anxiety about recovery time, potential complications, and basiphobia (fear of falling).
Your solicitor will help ensure that any psychological harm you have suffered as the result of another party's negligence is recognised and included in the calculation of your compensation award or settlement. In addition, you can also claim for mental health treatment costs that may not be readily available on 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.
Am I eligible for broken bone injury compensation?
You have the right to claim compensation for a fracture or broken bone, if:
- you were made ill in the last 3 years, and;
- someone else was responsible, and;
- they owed you a duty of care.
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 if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
Determining who is to blame for an accident is not always black and white.
In our recent 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents believed they may have been partly (or wholly) responsible for 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 make a fractured or broken bone injury 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.
Are some fractures and broken bone too minor to claim for?
It depends on the impact the injury has had on your life and finances. Fractures, breaks and crushed bone injuries can affect any part of the skeleton, including:
- Limbs - arms, legs
- Hands, wrists, fingers, toes
- Jaw, cheekbones, nose
- Hips, pelvis
- Ribs
- Spine
- Skull
Although fractures and breaks are sometimes viewed as ‘minor' injuries, there are risks of serious complications.
No matter how relatively minor the injury, if you have suffered pain and disruption to your life and ability to work, you should be able to claim compensation.
See also:
Workplace injury compensation claims
Construction and building site injury compensation claims
Can I claim compensation for complications after a break or fracture?
Usually, yes. Complications are more likely with a broken or fractured skull or spinal bones, and also with crushed bone injuries.
The impact of misaligned bones, and protruding bone fragments, can cause serious damage to internal organs.
Complications can also arise with breaks that are not easily accessible for repair. Surgery may be required to open the limb, or part of the body, to access the damaged bone and tissue. Bones can also be splintered at the point of breakage, requiring surgical intervention to clean up the damaged ends.
With some injuries, bones have been too severely damaged to be able to knit together neatly on their own. In these cases, pins, plates or wires may need to be surgically attached to the bones to help them heal tidily. In severe cases, plates or pins may be needed permanently at the injury site.
You are usually entitled to claim compensation for the full extent of your injuries, including the consequences of any complications.
See also:
Can I claim for the long-term impact of fractures and broken bone injuries?
In most cases, yes. Fractured and broken bones can result in permanent, disabling injuries and long-term chronic pain. Issues can include:
- Necrosis of surrounding soft tissue
- Scarring from surgical intervention
- Difficulties in walking, holding objects, or operating machinery - depending on the injury
- Increased risk of arthritis in the future
When you claim compensation, your solicitor will arrange for an independent medical report of your injuries. The report will also assess whether you can expect a full recovery, and if not, what impact any ongoing symptoms will have on your life and work.
If you decide to make a fractured or broken bone 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 deserve.
What factors affect the broken bone claims process?
The process for making a claim varies with how you broke a bone. Click the icons to learn more.
Can I make a no win, no fee fractured or broken bone injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim fractured or broken bone 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?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackAuthor:
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.