Ligament damage
compensation claims

If a ligament injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Ligament damage, often sustained when playing sports or on other accidents, can require extensive recovery periods. Compensation typically covers the cost of surgery, physiotherapy, and any loss of income during the period of incapacitation.

If you have been affected by a ligament damage 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 compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

Claiming ligament injury compensation

If you suffered a torn tendon, ACL or other ligament injury as the result of someone else's negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. You must usually start your claim within three years of the date of your accident.

Do I qualify for ligament damage compensation?

If you've been injured or made ill in the last three years and it wasn't your fault, then you will be entitled to claim compensation for ligament damage.

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 if the accident was partly my fault?

Attributing blame for an accident isn't always clear-cut.

In our 2023 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, we found that 13.99% of respondents felt they had at least some responsibility for the injuries they sustained.

When fault on both sides caused a claimant's injuries, this is called 'contributory negligence'. In these situations, compensation may still be payable on the basis of 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 a ligament damage claim?

For most injury claims, you have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start the claims process.

The 3 year limitation period does not apply to minors (under 18s). A parent, guardian or litigation friend can start a claim on a child's behalf up to their 18th birthday and the child has until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.

How much compensation can I claim for a ligament damage?

The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:

• the seriousness of your injury, and
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.

General damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).

Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

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 lost earnings, bonuses and overtime, 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 ligament injury, including X-rays, CT and MRI scans, and physiotherapy.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

Claiming compensation for psychological injuries

If you have experienced psychological issues in addition to physical symptoms, you are not alone.

Our 2023 Personal Injury Claimant Survey found that 29.03% of claimants reported a psychological injury, with 70.97% of these relating to a physical injury.

Ligament damage can cause anxiety about long-term joint stability and fears of re-injury during physical activities.

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.

Types of ligament damage

Personal injury solicitors regularly handle ligament injury claims on behalf of a wide range of claimants.

Ligament damage compensation is often sought following work accidents and accidents in public places, particularly slips and trips, but claims can also be made, in some cases, for sporting injuries and for accidents in the home.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries, a category of knee injury, are among the most common ligament injuries that compensation is claimed for.

The Courts recognise that ligament damage, including stretches, tears or ruptures, can cause significant pain, suffering and disruption wherever in the it occurs, and compensation for longer-term injury is consequently higher.

Read more:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury compensation claims

Knee injury compensation claims

Home accident injury compensation claims

Are ligament injury claims more complex?

Ligament damage has a variety of causes and symptoms. You should consider speaking to a solicitor about your compensation options as soon as you can.

A claim for a neck injury caused by a road accident may require different evidence and may take more or less time than a hand ligament injury sustained in the workplace, depending on a wide range of factors.

Your solicitor will arrange for necessary medical evidence, witness statements and other evidence to be gathered and will help you to negotiate the entire claims process.

See also:

Neck injury compensation claims

Hand ligament injury compensation claims

How do I prove who caused my ligament injury?

How your accident or ligament injury occurred will usually indicate who is responsible for your injury:

On the road

The most common compensation claim for a ligament injury is whiplash caused by a rear-end motor vehicle collision. This triggers soft tissue damage to the neck, shoulders and back In these cases, if the accident is non-fault, the other driver would be held liable for failing their duty of care to other road users.

Read more:

Road accident compensation claims

As the result of a slip, trip or fall

Another common compensation claim is for ligament injuries sustained as the result of a slip trip, or fall. If the slip, trip or fall was the result of a property owner failing to ensure visitors or members of the public were kept safe from harm, they could be held accountable under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

Damage due to slips, trips and falls often affects the ankles and knees and the wrists and hands.

Read more:

Slip, trip and fall compensation claims

In the workplace

Many claims are also made due to accidents in the workplace. Often incorrect manual handling practices are to blame, leading to ligament injuries in the shoulders, elbows and hands - through repetitive strain or a one-off incident. Other scenarios include falling awkwardly from a ladder or into an un-signposted gap or trapdoor, leading to ankle or leg sprains.

In these instances the employer could be liable for failing their legal duty of care towards their employees. This is provided for in a range of legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Read more:

Work accident compensation claims

How did your injury happen?

The claims process for a ligament damage will depend on where and how the accident happened. Click the icons below for more information:

Work
accidents

Public
places

Road
accidents

Medical
negligence

Other
accidents

FAQs

How long does an injury claim take?

What are my chances of winning my claim?

Will my claim go to court?

Can I claim for someone else?

How long do I have to make an injury claim?

What if a child was injured?

How we can help you with your injury claim

Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.

• FREE
  consultation
• Find out
  if you can claim
• No obligation
  to start a claim

Handled with the utmost professionalism... extremely kind, courteous and empathetic.

The Good Solicitor Guide

Rakhi Chauhan secures £80,000 following a road collision with a lorry

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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.