Torn cartilage injury
compensation claims

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

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

With nearly 10,000 cartilage injury admissions every year, you are not alone

9,777 people were admitted to hospital in 2021-22 for cartilage injuries and disorders, according to an analysis of NHS England data (digital.nhs.uk).

Torn cartilage is most often a knee injury from twisting or impact in sports or other accidents, leading to pain, swelling, and joint instability. Treatments include rest, ice, compression, elevation, and physiotherapy, with surgery a possibility for more severe tears.

For information on knee injury symptoms and treatment, see: meniscus tear (nhs.uk).

Do I qualify for torn cartilage injury 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 torn cartilage injury.

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 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey, we found that 13.99% of respondents felt they had at least some responsibility for the injuries they sustained.

The legal term for cases where an injured person was (to some extent) responsible for their injuries is 'contributory negligence'. If there is fault on both sides of a claim, it is possible to pay reduced compensation on 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 torn cartilage injury 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 torn cartilage?

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 (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying compensation for lost earnings, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as arthroscopic surgery, pain medication, physical therapy and joint injections.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

Average torn cartilage injury general damages compensation

The following torn cartilage injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Sixteenth 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).

What is a torn cartilage injury?

Cartilage is a flexible, shock-absorbing tissue found throughout the body. It distributes weight evenly across the bones and protects the joints from wear and tear.

In the knee, the primary areas of cartilage tissue are known as menisci. The knee also contains secondary areas of cartilage known as articular cartilages - these protect the ends of the bones at the knee joint. Both of these areas of cartilage may become damaged causing significant pain and discomfort for the injured person.

Torn cartilage is often the result of sudden physical trauma, such as a sports injury. It can also be the result of gradual damage over time (osteoarthritis). In some cases, torn cartilage injuries are sustained in accidents caused by someone else's negligence.

Your solicitor will arrange for a medical assessment to prove what caused your torn cartilage and to work out how much compensation you should receive.

Who is at risk of suffering a torn cartilage injury?

Torn cartilage injuries can happen whenever you are involved in a collision, fall or twist awkwardly. Overuse and repetitive tasks can also lead to cartilage injuries.

The meniscus comprises two bands of cartilage on the inside and outside of the knee. It absorbs shock, ensures that weight is distributed evenly over the knee joint and generally allows the knee to function.

Certain types of physical trauma can cause damage to these cartilages. The classic injury is a footballer who rotates his knee in order to tackle whilst the foot is still on the ground.

Other accidents include:

• Road traffic accidents that deliver a large impact to the knee.
• Accidents at work such as heavy loading or machine failure.
• Sports and recreational activities, typically football, rugby, tennis and skiing.

Can I still claim if an accident made an existing cartilage injury worse?

Yes. Your right to claim is not affected if you have existing cartilage damage, or are at greater risk of injury.

Older people are at special risk of cartilage tears since the meniscus weakens with age. More than four out of ten people aged 65 or older have experienced some sort of damage to the knee cartilage, according to the NHS. Treatment depends on how much of the cartilage is torn and the exact site of the damage.

While most cartilage tears heal on their own, larger tears, or a rupture in the middle of the meniscus, may not heal fully without surgery. This is mainly because the centre of the meniscus has no direct blood supply. In the long term, people who have had meniscus surgery are at a greater risk of developing arthritis in later years.

How did your injury happen?

The process for a torn cartilage injury claim depends the circumstances of the accident. To learn more, click the icons below:

Work accidents Public places Road accidents Medical negligence Other accidents

Citations

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.