Breaking or fracturing a bone is not just painful – it can turn your daily life upside down. Whether it is your arm, leg, wrist, ankle or even your spine, such an injury can leave you struggling with work, mobility, and even basic activities. If your injury happened because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
This guide explains how much compensation you could claim for a fractured or broken bone, what factors affect the amount, and how you can start the claims process.
Why Claim Compensation For A Broken Bone?
If you’ve suffered a broken bone, you’ll know how disruptive it can be. The pain itself may ease over time, but the recovery can take weeks or even months. In severe cases, you may be left with permanent damage.
Compensation is not just about money – it is about justice and support. You can use the settlement to cover your financial losses, treatment costs, and future needs. It also acknowledges the pain and suffering you have gone through.
By claiming, you also hold the responsible party accountable, which can help prevent similar accidents from happening to others.
The Two Main Types Of Compensation
When you claim for a fractured or broken bone, your compensation is usually made up of two parts:
- General damages: This covers the pain, suffering and loss of quality of life caused by your injury.
- Special damages: This is compensation for financial losses linked to your injury. For example, loss of earnings, travel costs to medical appointments, physiotherapy bills, or the cost of mobility aids.
Together, these create the total value of your claim.
How Much Compensation Could You Get?
The exact amount depends on many factors:
- The severity of the break.
- Which bone is broken.
- How long it takes to recover.
- Whether there are long-term effects like stiffness or reduced mobility.
- Your age, lifestyle and the impact on your daily life and work.
To give you an idea, solicitors often refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which set out recommended compensation brackets for different injuries.
Here are some examples based on recent guidelines:
| Injury | Possible Compensation Amount | Notes |
| Multiple very severe injuries with financial losses | Up to £500,000+ | Includes multiple broken bones with long-term care needs and loss of earnings. |
| Severe leg injuries (similar to amputation) | £117,460 – £165,860 | Where fractures are so serious that mobility is permanently affected. |
| Multiple fractures in legs with lasting problems | £66,920 – £109,290 | Includes cases where mobility is restricted even after years of treatment. |
| Severe knee injury | £85,100 – £117,410 | Where joint function is badly damaged and causes constant pain. |
| Wrist injury – complete loss of function | £58,710 – £73,050 | When the wrist never regains movement or strength. |
| Elbow injury – severe disability | £47,810 – £66,920 | For long-term impairment where normal arm use is limited. |
| Severe fractured foot | £51,220 – £85,460 | Includes fractures to both heels or very severe breaks. |
| Severe ankle injuries | £61,090 – £85,070 | Where fractures cause long-term instability and mobility problems. |
| Fractured nose | £12,990 – £28,220 | Multiple fractures requiring surgery and leaving permanent damage. |
| Simple fracture of the forearm | £8,060 – £23,430 | A less serious break that heals with time. |
| Modest ankle injury (minor fracture) | Up to £16,770 | Covers less serious fractures with full recovery expected. |
These figures are only guidelines. The amount you may receive depends on your specific circumstances.
Can You Claim For Financial Losses Too?
Yes, and this is an important part of your claim. If your broken bone has affected your ability to work, you may have lost wages, bonuses or overtime. You may also have spent money on:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Travel to hospital appointments.
- Adjustments to your home or car.
- Hiring extra help at home.
These losses can be claimed back as special damages, as long as you can provide proof like receipts, invoices or payslips.
Who Is Responsible For Your Broken Bone?
To claim compensation, you must show that your injury was caused by someone else breaching their duty of care. Depending on the accident, the responsible party could be:
- An employer – Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to keep you safe at work. If you were injured because of faulty equipment, poor training or unsafe conditions, you may have a claim.
- An occupier of a public place – Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, businesses and local councils must make public spaces reasonably safe. If you slipped on a wet floor or tripped over a hazard in a shop, they could be liable.
- A road user – All drivers and road users must follow the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. If another driver was careless and caused an accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
Examples Of Accidents That Can Lead To Broken Bones
Broken bones can happen in many different situations. For example:
- Falling from a faulty ladder at work, breaking your legs.
- Being knocked off your bike by a car and suffering a fractured arm.
- Slipping on a spillage in a supermarket and breaking your ankle.
- A dangerous pothole causing you to lose control of your bike and fracture your wrist.
- Falling from unsafe scaffolding at a construction site.
If any of these accidents were caused by negligence, you could have a valid claim.
What Evidence Do You Need?
Evidence is key to a successful claim. Some useful examples include:
- Medical records – hospital notes, X-rays and GP reports.
- Photographs – of your injuries and the accident scene.
- CCTV or dashcam footage – if available.
- Witness statements – from people who saw the accident.
- Accident reports – from your workplace or the local council.
The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your claim will be.
How Long Do You Have To Claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim. This time limit comes from the Limitation Act 1980.
There are some exceptions:
- If the injured person is under 18, the three-year limit does not start until their 18th birthday. A parent or guardian can make a claim earlier on their behalf.
- If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit is suspended. If they regain capacity, the three years starts from that point.
It’s always best to start the process as soon as possible while evidence is still fresh.
Is There A Difference Between A Broken Bone And A Fracture?
You may wonder whether there’s any difference between a “broken bone” and a “fracture.” In reality, both terms mean the same thing – a bone has been cracked or broken.
Doctors might use “fracture” to describe the medical detail, such as a hairline fracture or a complete break, while “broken bone” is the more everyday term.
No Win No Fee Broken Bone Claims
One concern you may have is the cost of legal help. The good news is that many solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means:
- You do not pay anything upfront.
- If your case is unsuccessful, you don’t have to pay solicitor’s fees.
- If you win, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation as their success fee.
This makes the process less risky and more accessible for people worried about costs.
How To Start A Claim
If you believe you are entitled to compensation for a fractured or broken bone, here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention straight away to ensure your injury is treated and recorded.
- Gather evidence – photos, records, receipts, witness details.
- Get legal advice from a personal injury solicitor who can guide you through your options.
- File your claim within the three-year time limit.
Final Thoughts
Suffering a broken bone is never easy. It can affect your health, career, family life and finances. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the consequences alone.
Compensation can help you recover lost income, pay for treatment, and give you financial security while you focus on healing. How much you receive will depend on the seriousness of your injury, how it impacts your life, and the evidence you provide.
The key is to act quickly, gather the right information, and get professional advice. By doing this, you give yourself the best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.