If a crush injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Compensation for crush injuries from accidents like being pinned by machinery or collapsed structures, can cover your recovery costs, potential disability costs, psychological aftercare, and any loss of earnings and other expenses.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a crush injury, we can help. If the 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 serious injury compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist solicitor.
Key points when claiming for a crush injury
- You can claim for a crush injury at work, in a road collision, or in an accident in a public place.
- Employers and owners and operators of premises accessible to the public must follow health and safety regulations. Staff operating heavy machinery must be properly trained, and suitable PPE should be provided to both workers and site visitors.
- You have 3 years from the date of your crush injury to begin your claim.
- Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
- Compensation can also cover care costs, rehabilitation support, and pay for mobility aids and home modifications.
- You can also claim for PTSD and other psychological symptoms following a traumatic crush injury.
- You can claim on a no win, no fee basis.
You are not alone - crush injuries account for a high percentage of work injuries
In the workplace, crush injuries account for 10% of non-fatal injuries and 18% of fatal work injuries (hse.gov.uk).
If you decide to make a crush 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.
How much compensation can I claim for a crush injury?
Your compensation for a crush injury is influenced by:
- the degree of your injury,
- the restriction caused by your injury on your daily life and employment,
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred due to 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 for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for loss of wages, commission and any other income income, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as surgery, pain medication, debridement and fluid resuscitation.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average crush injury general damages compensation table
The following crush 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).
Arm injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation | One arm below elbow | £106,690 to £121,650 |
| Amputation | One arm above elbow | £121,650 to £145,250 |
Chest injuries
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rib fracture or soft tissue injury | Serious pain and/or disability for several weeks | Up to £4,380 |
| Chest injury (no damage to lung) | A chest injury with no significant, permanent lung damage (e.g. a penetrating chest wound) | £13,970 to £19,930 |
| Damage to chest or lung | Some ongoing disability | £34,740 to £60,840 |
| Traumatic lung injury | Lung function is significantly affected, causing disability and/or reduced life expectancy | £72,950 to £111,680 |
Finger injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation | Amputation of the little finger | £9,590 to £13,580 |
| Amputation | Amputation of the ring or index finger | Around £27,730 |
| Amputation | Amputation of the terminal phalanges of the index and middle fingers | Around £24,200 |
| Amputation of fingers | Where your grip is severely weakened and/or you are unable to use your hand | £68,680 to £100,680 |
Foot injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation | One foot | £93,150 to £121,650 |
| Amputation | Both feet | £187,940 to £223,550 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation | Below-knee amputation of one leg | £108,700 to £150,780 |
| Amputation | Above-knee amputation of one leg | £116,300 to £143,420 |
| Amputation | Below-knee amputation of both legs | £223,550 to £299,650 |
| Amputation | Loss of both legs above the knee, or one leg lost above and one leg lost below the knee | £267,140 to £312,860 |
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 |
Toe injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | Crush injuries to one or more toes, possibly requiring amputation, and other injuries resulting in severe damage | £15,250 to £23,370 |
| Amputation | Of the big toe | Around £34,740 |
| Amputation of all toes | Of all toes | £40,520 to £62,210 |
Can I claim compensation for a psychological injury?
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.
Crush injuries often trigger PTSD, as they are typically associated with traumatic and life-threatening situations.
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 a crush injury claim?
Yes, you can make a claim for a crush injury, if:
- you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
- someone else was at fault, and;
- they owed a duty of care to prevent 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.
My injury was partly my fault - can I still claim?
Cases where the defendant and claimant are both partly to blame are actually quite commonplace in personal injury claims.
In our 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, 13.99% of respondents believed they were partly responsible for their injuries, or were uncertain.
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 after a crush injury do I have to start a 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.
Rehabilitation and long-term care for crush injuries
Recovery from crush injuries often requires extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy to regain mobility and strength, and psychological counselling to address trauma.
Long-term care might involve ongoing treatment and support, adapting living spaces for accessibility, and potentially vocational rehabilitation for return to work. These services are vital for full recovery and quality of life post-injury.
Your solicitor will assist you with identifying the correct therapies and support services you will need for your recovery, and ensure that your compensation includes funding for this support.
Crush injury legislation
The legal framework around crush injuries involves workplace safety regulations and personal injury law. Employers are obligated to ensure a safe working environment under the Health and Safety at Work Act (hse.gov.uk).
When injuries occur due to negligence, victims have the right to seek compensation under personal injury law, which covers medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Preventive measures and safety protocols
To prevent crush injuries, it's essential to establish safety protocols. In workplaces, this means regular equipment inspections, safety training, and clear hazard signage. For public events, organizers should implement effective crowd control and provide accessible emergency exits.
These measures can significantly mitigate the risk of injuries and ensure a safer environment for workers and the public.
If an employer or occupier of premises has failed in their duty to protect you, whether you are an employee or a member of the public, you may have a right to claim compensation.
What factors affect the crush injury claims process?
The process for making a claim varies with how your crush injury happened. Click the icons to learn more.
Can I make a no win, no fee crush injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim crush 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 callbackSources
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – legislation explained (reviewed: 31/07/2024)
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.