If you have suffered a broken bone because of someone else's negligence, you can usually claim compensation in the UK. How much compensation for a broken bone depends on which bone, the severity of the fracture and whether you recovered fully. Under the Judicial College Guidelines (17th edition, 2024), general damages for fractures range from around £2,500 for a simple break that heals without complication up to £137,000+ for a severe leg fracture with lasting disability. Lost earnings, treatment costs and care are added on top as special damages. You normally have three years to claim.
Broken bones are one of the most common injuries in personal injury claims. A fracture can happen in a road accident, a fall at work, a slip on a defective pavement or an assault. The compensation you receive depends on the type and location of the fracture, how it was treated, how long recovery took and whether any permanent effects remain. This guide explains how broken bone compensation works in the UK, the guideline amounts, what evidence you need and the steps to take. We are an independent information service, not a law firm, and we point you to regulated solicitors.
How much compensation for a broken bone?
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), 17th edition (April 2024), provide the brackets courts use to value pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The 17th edition increased figures by approximately 22% over the previous edition to reflect inflation. Below is a representative selection — actual awards depend on individual circumstances and further inflation uplift may apply from the date of assessment.
| Fracture type | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Simple wrist fracture, full recovery | £4,670 – £8,640 |
| Simple forearm or radius fracture | £7,430 – £21,700 |
| Less serious leg fracture, good recovery | £10,350 – £19,200 |
| Moderate ankle fracture | £16,770 – £32,450 |
| Serious arm fracture with lasting limitation | £21,700 – £45,540 |
| Severe leg fracture, imperfect union or permanent effects | £44,740 – £137,080 |
These are for general damages alone. Special damages — lost earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, care, travel, aids and equipment — are calculated separately and can exceed the general damages figure, particularly where a fracture prevents you from working for months or leaves lasting restrictions.
What affects the amount?
Courts and insurers look at several factors when valuing a broken bone claim:
- Which bone and how it broke. A clean, simple fracture of a finger is very different from a comminuted (shattered) fracture of the femur. Multiple fractures attract higher awards.
- Treatment required. Fractures managed with a plaster cast settle lower than those needing open reduction and internal fixation (plates, screws, rods), external fixation or bone grafting.
- Recovery time and prognosis. A fracture that heals in six weeks is worth far less than one causing chronic pain, osteoarthritis, restricted movement or the need for future surgery such as metalwork removal or joint replacement.
- Impact on daily life and work. If the fracture stops you doing your job or affects activities you enjoy, that increases the award.
- Age. Children's bones generally heal better, but a growth-plate fracture in a child can have consequences that only emerge over years.
Proving your fracture claim
You need to show that someone else was at fault (negligence, breach of statutory duty, or strict liability in some situations) and that their breach caused your fracture. The main types of evidence are:
| Evidence | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hospital records, X-rays, CT or MRI scans | Proves the fracture, its type and location |
| Independent medical report | Expert prognosis, lasting effects and causation |
| Accident report / police report | Documents how the injury happened and who may be liable |
| Photographs of the scene and injury | Shows hazard or mechanism of injury |
| Witness statements | Corroborates how the accident occurred |
| Payslips, tax returns, employer letter | Proves lost earnings |
| Receipts for treatment, travel, care | Supports special damages |
Your solicitor will arrange an independent medical examination. For complex fractures this may involve an orthopaedic surgeon; for lasting pain issues, a pain specialist. The expert's prognosis — particularly on whether you will make a full recovery and over what timescale — is the single most important factor in valuing the claim.
Time limits
In England and Wales you generally have three years from the date of the fracture to issue court proceedings, under the Limitation Act 1980. Scotland applies a three-year limit under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, and Northern Ireland under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. For children, the three years does not start until their 18th birthday. If a fracture was caused by a criminal act and the person responsible cannot pay, a CICA application must usually be made within two years.
Contributory negligence
If you were partly at fault — for example, not wearing a seatbelt in a car accident or ignoring a warning sign — the court can reduce your compensation by the percentage you were responsible. This is called contributory negligence. You can still claim; your award is simply reduced. Not wearing a seatbelt, for instance, typically leads to a reduction of 15–25%.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. We don't take on claims, sell your details or recommend particular firms. To find a regulated personal injury solicitor experienced in fracture claims, use the Solicitors Regulation Authority register and the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service. Citizens Advice gives free, impartial guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation for a broken bone in the UK?
It depends on which bone, how badly it broke, and whether you recovered fully. Judicial College Guidelines (17th edition, 2024) set brackets from around 2,500 pounds for a simple fracture that heals well up to over 130,000 pounds for a severe leg fracture with lasting disability. Special damages for lost earnings, care and treatment are added on top.
Can I claim for a fracture that was partly my fault?
Yes, you can still claim. The court applies contributory negligence, reducing your compensation by the percentage you were at fault. For example, if you were 25 percent responsible, your award is reduced by 25 percent.
How long do I have to claim for a broken bone?
In England and Wales the standard time limit is three years from the date of injury under the Limitation Act 1980. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own three-year limit. For children, time does not start until they turn 18.
Do I need an X-ray or medical report to claim?
You need medical evidence. Hospital records, X-rays and scan reports are the starting point. Your solicitor will also arrange an independent medical report from a specialist to assess prognosis and any lasting effects, which is central to valuing your claim.
What if my fracture needed surgery with plates or pins?
Fractures requiring surgical fixation with plates, screws or pins generally attract higher compensation than those managed conservatively, because the injury is more severe, recovery is longer and there is a greater risk of lasting problems such as restricted movement or the need for metalwork removal.
Can I claim for a stress fracture caused at work?
Potentially, if your employer failed to manage the risk. Stress fractures can result from repetitive tasks without adequate rest or equipment. You would need medical evidence linking the fracture to your working conditions, and evidence that your employer breached their duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
- GOV.UK — court procedures and time limits
Related guides: ankle injury claims, wrist injury claims, knee injury claims, foot injury claims, how compensation works, and no win, no fee explained.