WHAT IS A BROKEN BONE CLAIM?
A fracture can stop your life in its tracks — a claim helps you put it back together.
A broken bone claim is a personal injury claim for compensation after you've fractured a bone in an accident someone else caused. That might be a trip on a broken pavement, a fall from height at work, a road accident, or a slip in a shop or restaurant. Whether it's a hairline fracture in a finger or a badly shattered leg that needs surgery, if the accident wasn't your fault you have the right to ask for compensation — for the pain itself and for everything the injury has cost you.
No two breaks are the same, so no two claims are valued the same way. A simple fracture that heals cleanly in a few weeks sits at the lower end; a complex injury needing plates, pins or a long recovery sits far higher. To get a feel for the figures, try our personal injury claim calculator — though only a proper assessment of your medical evidence gives a reliable answer. The brackets that judges and solicitors work from come from the Judicial College Guidelines. And if your fracture was caused by a violent attack rather than an accident, a different route may apply — see our guide to making a criminal injury claim.
Fracture compensation by type of break
The body part matters as much as the severity. We regularly handle bone fracture compensation claims for:
- Fractured leg — tibia, fibula and femur fractures, from clean breaks to injuries needing rods, plates or repeat surgery.
- Fractured ankle — including bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures that can leave lasting stiffness or arthritis.
- Fractured wrist and scaphoid — common after a fall on an outstretched hand; scaphoid fractures can be slow to heal.
- Broken arm, elbow, shoulder and collarbone — injuries that affect lifting, driving and work.
- Broken hand, fingers and metacarpals — small bones, but often a big effect on grip and everyday tasks.
- Fractured jaw, eye socket and skull — facial and head fractures, often alongside scarring, dental or head and brain injuries.
- Fractured spine and vertebrae — from stable compression fractures to injuries with nerve damage.
- Fractured pelvis and hip — serious injuries that can mean a long recovery and reduced mobility.
- Fractured sternum and broken ribs — often from seatbelt or steering-wheel impact in road accidents.
- Broken foot, toes and metatarsals — including crush injuries at work.
Hairline, compound and comminuted fractures
A hairline (stress) fracture is a small crack that may heal with rest; a compound (open) fracture breaks through the skin and carries a risk of infection; a comminuted fracture shatters the bone into several pieces and usually needs surgery. Greenstick fractures are common in children, and avulsion fractures happen when a tendon or ligament pulls off a piece of bone. The more complex the fracture and the longer the recovery, the higher the compensation is likely to be.
How much compensation for a broken bone?
Compensation is made up of two parts: an award for the injury itself, guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, and your financial losses such as wages, care and treatment costs. A simple finger or toe fracture that heals fully might be worth a few thousand pounds; a serious leg, pelvis or spinal fracture with lasting effects can be worth far more. We will never quote a figure until we have seen your medical evidence — but our personal injury claim calculator gives a free starting point.
Where broken bone claims come from
What you can claim for
Pain & suffering
Compensation for the injury itself — the pain of the break, the impact on your daily life, and any lasting effects such as stiffness, reduced movement or scarring.
Lost earnings
Wages or income you've missed while off work, plus any future loss if your fracture stops you returning to the same job or working the same hours.
Care & assistance
The value of help you've needed at home — washing, dressing, cooking or childcare — even when it's a partner, parent or friend who stepped in unpaid.
Treatment & rehab
Physiotherapy, surgery, pain management, private treatment and rehab to get you moving again and rebuild strength in the injured limb.
Travel & expenses
Hospital and physio trips, prescriptions, parking, and any other reasonable out-of-pocket costs that flow directly from your injury.
Home & mobility costs
Crutches, splints, mobility aids and any changes you've needed at home — like temporary downstairs living — while you couldn't get about as normal.
You may have a claim if…
Your fracture was caused by someone else's negligence — an employer, driver, council or business that failed in their duty to keep you safe.
The accident happened in the last three years (different time limits apply for children and for people who lack mental capacity).
You have, or can get, medical evidence confirming the break — A&E records, X-rays or a consultant's report.
You've had losses or expenses, or simply suffered pain and a disrupted life, because of the injury.
How your claim works
01
Free consultation
Call us or request a callback and tell us what happened. We'll listen, answer your questions and tell you honestly whether you have a claim — no pressure, no jargon.
02
We build your case
We gather your medical records, arrange an independent expert report on your fracture, and pull together evidence of your losses to value the claim properly.
03
We handle the claim
We deal with the other side and their insurers, negotiate firmly on your behalf and keep you updated. The vast majority of claims settle without ever going near a courtroom.
04
You're compensated
We secure your settlement and make sure you receive what you're owed — with No Win No Fee, our success fee is capped and only ever comes out of a winning result.
Broken bone & fracture claim FAQs
Is a broken bone claim really No Win No Fee?+
Yes. We run broken bone claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement — No Win No Fee — so there's nothing to pay upfront and nothing to pay at all if your claim doesn't succeed. If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation, capped at 25% of certain damages for personal injury claims. We'll explain exactly what that means for you before you sign anything.
How long do I have to make a claim?+
In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. There are important exceptions: for a child, the three years don't begin until their 18th birthday, and for someone who lacks mental capacity the time limit may not apply at all. It's still best to come to us early, while evidence is fresh — call 01422 647175 to check where you stand.
How much compensation could I get for a fracture?+
It depends entirely on the bone, how badly it broke and how well it heals. A minor fracture that recovers fully might be worth a few thousand pounds, while a severe leg fracture with lasting disability can run well into six figures. Those figures are illustrative — your actual amount is based on independent medical evidence and your specific losses, and should be reviewed by a solicitor before you rely on it.
What if my fracture needed surgery or hasn't healed properly?+
Complications matter, and they increase the value of a claim. If you've needed surgery, plates, pins or screws, or if the bone has healed in the wrong position (malunion) or hasn't joined at all (non-union), that ongoing pain and limitation is reflected in your compensation. We'll make sure your medical report captures the full long-term picture rather than just the original break.
Can I claim if my break was caused by an assault?+
Possibly — but through a different route. If your fracture was the result of a violent crime, you may be able to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) rather than against an individual. The rules and time limits differ, so speak to us and read our guide to a criminal injury claim. We'll point you to the right path.
Will I have to go to court?+
Almost certainly not. The large majority of broken bone claims are settled by negotiation, without anyone setting foot in a courtroom. Court is very much the last resort, used only if the other side refuses a fair offer — and even then, we'd prepare you fully and be beside you every step of the way.
FREE CLAIM CHECK
See if you can claim in 60 seconds
