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Rib Injury Claim - Am I Eligible?
Learn about the average payout for broken ribs in the UK and the process of claiming for rib injuries.
£85 million in compensation
Rib Injury Claim - Am I Eligible?
Learn about the average payout for broken ribs in the UK and the process of claiming for rib injuries.
A rib injury can be painful and it could take a long time to recover. If you’ve broken your ribs because of somebody else’s fault, you may be able to claim compensation.
In this guide, the process to make a rib injury claim.
Key Points On Rib Injury Claims
- You may be able to claim compensation if you suffer an injury to your ribs because of the fault of another person.
- Your rib injury payout may include compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
- There are various situations where you could suffer broken ribs, such as accidents at work, road traffic accidents and public place accidents.
- It is important to collect evidence and be mindful of the time limit when you start your claim.
- You may be able to claim compensation with the support of one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
To learn more about personal injury compensation claims, contact us:
- Call at 0151 375 9916.
- Fill out our online form and request a callback.
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Broken Rib Claims - Eligibility Criteria
In order for any personal injury claim to be valid, you will need to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements. You will need evidence (which we examine later on) that proves:
- A liable party owed you a duty of care (a legal obligation owed from an individual or organisation to others to take proper care to prevent causing foreseeable harm).
- There was a breach in this duty.
- You sustained an injury because of this breach.
In the following sections, we examine a few common causes of rib injuries and how a breach of duty can cause them.
Common Causes Of Rib Cage Fractures
The next few sections examine some common causes for rib fractures and situations in which a liable party owes you a duty of care.
Accidents At Work
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), employers are responsible for taking reasonable and practicable steps to ensure the safety of their employees while at work. This duty includes providing safety equipment and training to employees. If your employer breaches this duty and you consequently suffer an injury, you may have an accident at work claim against them.
Example: You fall from a height from scaffolding at work due to improper construction. This causes a crush injury in your chest and broken ribs. You may have good grounds to launch a rib injury claim against your employer.
Road Traffic Accidents
All road users are supposed to navigate the roads responsibly so as to avoid harm to themselves and others. The Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code emphasise this duty. If you suffer an injury due to a breach of this duty, you might have a valid reason to start a road traffic accident claim.
Example: A speeding car collides with your car from behind. The sudden impact makes you crash with the steering wheel, breaking your ribs. You may have a valid claim against the other driver.
Public Place Accidents
The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 holds the occupier, a person or organisation who controls a public place, responsible for the reasonable safety of all lawful visitors. If somebody suffers an injury due to a breach of this duty, there could be a public liability claim.
Example: You slip on a wet floor at the supermarket. The floor had just been cleaned, but there was no warning sign that it is wet. Due to the fall, your chest hit the floor, injuring your ribs. You could have a chest injury claim against the supermarket.
You can contact our advisory team for a free case assessment. They will help you establish who was liable for your injury and advise on whether you could have a valid rib injury claim.
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We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
Average Payouts For Broken Ribs
Terms such as ‘average payouts for broken ribs’ suggest that every personal injury claim is handled in the same way. Settlements for successful rib injury claims are awarded on their own individual merits. As such, knowing the average settlement for a rib injury claim may not be of particular use to you. However, there is a standard way to value claims.
The settlement for broken ribs in the UK may consist of two heads:
- General Damages: This is the compensation which you could claim for your physical pain and mental suffering brought on by the rib injuries.
- Special Damages: This is the compensation which you may seek for financial losses caused by these same rib injuries.
How Compensation Is Calculated
You may have to appear for an independent medical assessment as part of your rib injury claim. This would help to determine the severity of your injuries for general damages. Your solicitor (or the person responsible for valuing your claim) would also refer to the Judicial College Guidelines. It is a compilation of different kinds of injuries and the compensation you could claim for them.
The table below contains some JCG figures. However, these are only guidelines, and the first row is not quoted from the JCG.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Multiple injuries along with a loss of earnings and need for professional care. | Up to £300,000+ |
| Chest Injuries- Serious and prolonged (a) | There is complete removal of one lung and/or serious heart damage along with prolonged and serious pain and suffering and significant permanent scarring. | £122,850 to £183,190 |
| Chest Injuries- Permanent Damage (b) | There is a traumatic injury to the chest, one or both the lungs and/or the heart, resulting in permanent damage, impairment in function, physical disability and reduction in life expectancy. | £80,240 to £122,850 |
| Chest Injuries- Continuing Disability (c) | Some continuing disability because of damage to the chest and lungs. | £38,210 to £66,920 |
| Chest Injuries- Relatively Simple (d) | A single injury like a penetrating wound causes some permanent damage to the tissue but there is no serious long-term effect on lung function. | £15,370 to £21,920 |
| Chest Injuries- Toxic Fume Inhalation (e) | Residual damage due to smoke inhalation or toxic fumes but not serious enough to permanently impact lung function. | £6,500 to £15,370 |
| Chest Injuries- Uncomplicated Recovery (f) | Injuries causing collapsed lungs but a full recovery is made without any complications. | £2,680 to £6,500 |
| Chest Injuries- Fractures (g) | Rib fractures or soft tissue injuries causing serious pain and disability for only a few weeks. | Up to £4,820 |
Special Damages- How They Affect Your Payout
As explained above, you may be able to claim for special damages or financial losses as part of your broken rib claim. You could claim for the following:
- Loss of earnings
- Travel costs for medical appointments
- Medical costs such as prescriptions and treatment
- Cost of professional care
- Modifications made to your car or house
You could claim the above by using bank statements, invoices or payslips.
Still confused about the payout figures? Contact our advisory team, and they will help you make a compensation claim (if eligible). They can also advise on how much compensation you might be eligible for as well as discuss what evidence you could submit to be reimbursed your out of pocket expenses.
How To Start Your Broken Rib Claim
If you think you have an eligible broken rib claim, reach out to our advisory team for a free case assessment. Although it isn’t mandatory to claim with a solicitor’s support, seeking expert guidance is always recommended.
A personal injury solicitor could help you in many ways, such as ensuring all the correct documents are filed in full and within relevant time limits, making sure your rib injury claim is correctly valued with all damages accounted for, and supporting you through the claims process.
Gathering Evidence To Support Your Claim
Collecting evidence is one of the most important steps in your rib injury claim. This will help to highlight the severity of your injuries and the fault of another person. Some of the potential evidence which you could use for your claim include:
- Medical records
- Photographs of your injuries or the accident site (if applicable)
- CCTV footage of the incident
- Details from the accident book
- Contact details of eyewitnesses so that they can be contacted later for witness statements.
Time Limits - How Long You Have To Claim
According to the Limitation Act 1980, you have 3 years to start your rib injury claim. However, there are certain circumstances where this time limit won’t apply:
- For Minors: Since minors cannot claim for themselves, the time limit for their claim applies only once they turn 18. Afterwards, they will have three years, or until their 21st birthday, to start their claim. However, the minor’s loved ones can claim on their behalf by applying to become a litigation friend. This way, the claim can be started before the minor attains majority.
- Diminished Mental Capacity: There is no time limit to start a claim for an individual with diminished mental capacity. Such a person’s loved one could claim on their behalf as a litigation friend. However, if the individual regains their mental capacity, the time limit will start from then.
How Long It Takes To Get A Compensation Payout
There is no fixed time duration for the conclusion of your rib injury claim since no two claims are the same. There are various factors which could impact the time it would take to receive a payout for broken ribs:
- Claim complexity
- Strength of evidence
- Acceptance or denial of liability by the other party
- Negotiations
- Nature of injuries
An experienced personal injury solicitor may be able to give you a rough estimate of how long your claim will take. If you have an eligible claim, our team will connect you with a skilled personal injury solicitor who will advise you on your case timeline.
How Our Panel Of Solicitors Can Help You
At JF Law, our friendly team of advisors are here to help you after you’ve suffered a rib injury. As part of the free services that we offer, you could receive a free case check to look at the strengths of your claim. Furthermore, you could be connected with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors to help you make a rib injury claim. By operating under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you could enjoy the following:
- No solicitor service fees at the start or throughout your claim.
- No solicitor fees if your claim in the event that your claim is unsuccessful
- You will have a requirement to pay a small success fee for your solicitor’s services if your claim is successful. Please note that the percentage will be deducted from your compensation and is capped by law. Therefore, you’ll always receive the bulk of your compensation pay-out.
Furthermore, you could also receive the following advantages by making a claim:
- Regular claim updates so you always know where your case stands
- Help with evidence-gathering such as medical reports and witness statements
- Explanations of key legal terminologies
- Assistance with signing legal documents
- Arrangement of an independent medical assessment to support the harm you suffered or your injuries.
- Advice that strictly adheres to the rules of confidentiality
- A free eligibility assessment
To learn more about how a CFA could benefit your rib injury compensation claim, please contact one of our friendly advisors today. Contact us for your claim now:
- Call at 0151 375 9916.
- Contact us by filling out our online form
More Information
Thank you for reading our guide. Here are some more guides from our site:
- Our guide on making a fall at work claim.
- Information on forklift accident claims.
- Details on warehouse accident claims.
Here are some external resources for more information:
- Information from the NHS on broken or bruised ribs.
- Guidance from the NHS on when to call 999.
- A detailed guide from the government on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Please get in touch to get your rib injury claim started today.
