By Megan Clearwater. Last Updated 22nd December 2022. Have you suffered an ankle injury and are looking to claim? Are you confused about how to begin the claims process? This article could help you through the process and guide you through the best course of action.
Ankle injury claims guide
This guide will address whether you’re eligible to make a claim for an ankle injury. We will also look at how compensation is calculated for successful claims.
In addition, this guide will explore how a No Win No Fee lawyer could be beneficial to you.
Our advisors are available to offer you free legal advice and to answer any of your questions. So, if you have any additional questions after reading, you can get in touch by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page
- Using our live chat feature
- Filling out our online contact form
Choose A Section
- Could I Claim Compensation For An Ankle Injury?
- Examples of Ankle Injury Scenarios
- What Evidence Do I Need For A Broken Ankle Claim?
- Maximum Payouts For An Ankle Injury
- Ankle Injury Compensation Amounts – Claim With A No Win No Fee Lawyer
- Further Information About Ankle Injury Claims
Could I Claim Compensation For An Ankle Injury?
You could claim compensation for an ankle injury if it was caused by someone else’s negligence. This could be within a workplace, on the road or in a public setting, such as a supermarket or park. In order to prove a personal injury claim demonstrated negligence, you would need to show that:
- You were owed a duty of care
- The duty of care that was owed to you was breached
- You suffered an injury or illness as a result
If you can prove that these criteria apply, then you could be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
Ankle Injury Claims – Time Limits And Exceptions
When making a claim for an ankle injury, you must adhere to the time limits that are set out in the Limitation Act 1980. Generally, the time limitations for ankle injury claims are:
- 3 years from the date you were injured.
- Or 3 years from the date of knowledge. This is when you discover that your injury was directly caused by negligence.
However, there are certain exceptions to the time limits set out above.
- If your child has suffered an injury due to negligence, they will have 3 years to start their claim once they turn 18. A court-appointed litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf before this point. In these instances, the time limit is suspended.
- If someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim for themselves, they will have 3 years to start their claim if they regain this capacity. Alternatively, a litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf.
Later in this guide, we will provide you with some potential ankle injury settlement amounts in the UK following a successful claim made within the time limits stated.
Contact our advisors today if you are unsure whether you still have time to start your personal injury claim.
Frequency Of Ankle Injuries
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) records and publishes health and safety at work statistics collated from reports they get from employers.
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), employers are expected to report certain accidents and injuries.
As such, for the year 2020/21, employers reported 51,211 non-fatal injuries to employees.
Additionally, statistics showed that 14,938 employees suffered a non-fatal injury to their lower limbs. Of this number, 4,889 suffered an injury to their ankle.
These statistics also showed that there were around 16,698 non-fatal slips, trips and falls on the same level, making it the most common accident type reported.
Please note the above figures are provisional.
Examples Of Ankle Injury Scenarios
As we have already mentioned, in order to claim compensation, your ankle injury must be the result of a breach of duty of care.
Below, we have provided some scenarios in which you’re owed a duty of care and how someone could have breached it.
Accident at work: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) outlines the duty of care that employers owe their employees. They need to take all reasonable measures to ensure an employee’s safety. Failing to do so could cause harm. For example, you may have damaged your ankle after dropping heavy stock due to receiving inadequate manual handling training.
Public place accident: The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that those in control of a public space must take all reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of any visitors. For example, they should carry out regular risk assessments to ensure the space is safe for members of the public. Failing to do so could mean someone experiencing a slip, trip or fall due to a wet floor sign not being put down.
Road traffic accident: The Highway Code provides guidance and rules for the different types of road users. All road users need to act with a reasonable level of care and attention to prevent one another from experiencing harm. If they fail to do this, another road user could be harmed. For example, a driver may have operated their vehicle under the influence of alcohol. As a result, they may have hit a pedestrian causing them to fracture their ankle.
If you have experienced a similar incident of negligence, speak with our team today to find out if you have a valid claim.
What Evidence Do I Need For A Broken Ankle Claim?
The first step to take after you have been involved in an accident is to seek out medical attention. In doing so, you can ensure you receive the proper treatment for your injuries. Also, medical records from your visits to the hospital or doctor could provide details on the severity of your injuries.
Additionally, gathering other evidence can be a good way to strengthen your personal injury claim. Some examples of evidence you could collect include:
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Photographs of the injury
- Contact details of witnesses
- CCTV footage or dashcam footage of the accident
You may also find it helpful to get legal advice while you are preparing to make your claim. A solicitor could help you when obtaining evidence to support your case. They could also help you through the different stages when seeking compensation.
To get free legal advice, our advisors are happy to help. They could assign a solicitor from our panel to work on your claim. Call on the number above for more information.
Maximum Payouts For An Ankle Injury
The compensation you receive for your injuries may be awarded under general damages.
The Judicial College produces guidelines that outline bracket compensation amounts for different injuries. They are often used to help when valuing your injuries. We have used these brackets to create the table below.
However, it’s important to note that there are many different factors that are considered when determining how much compensation you could be awarded. For instance, medical evidence may be used to determine:
- The severity of the injury
- How long you have suffered
- The effects the injury has had on your day-to-day life
For that reason, you should only use the figures below as a guide because you’re actual settlement will differ.
| Injury | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries: Very Severe | Injuries might include a transmalleolar fracture alongside extensive soft-tissue damage that has resulted in a deformity. | £50,060 to £69,700 |
| Ankle Injuries: Severe | Injuries that require extensive treatment or the need for pins or plates. | £31,310 to £50,060 |
| Ankle Injuries: Moderate | Fractures and tears in the ligaments, making it difficult to walk on uneven ground and stand/walk for a long time. | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Ankle Injuries: Modest | Minor fractures, sprains or injury to the ligaments. The recovery rate will affect how much is awarded. | Up to £13,740 |
| Achilles Tendon: Most Serious | The tendon and peroneus longus muscle have been severed, which results in swelling, cramps and restricted ankle movement. | In the region of £38,430 |
| Achilles Tendon: Serious | The tendon has been repaired successfully after being completely divided but there is a weakness and loss of movement in the ankle. | £24,990 to £30,090 |
| Achilles Tendon: Moderate | The tendon has been ruptured or significantly injured. Factors such as recovery rate, treatment received and any ongoing pain will affect how much is awarded. | £12,590 to £21,070 |
| Achilles Tendon: Minor | Injuries resulting in some damage to the tendon as a result of turning over on the ankle can be included in this bracket. | £7,270 to £12,590 |
| Foot Injuries: Moderate | Metatarsal fractures that are displaced and that have resulted in a permanent deformity. | £13,740 to £24,990 |
| Foot Injuries: Modest | Simple fractures of the metatarsal or ruptured ligaments. Injuries may cause continuing pain. | Up to £13,740 |
In addition to compensation for your injuries, you may also be able to claim back any financial losses incurred as a result of the harm you sustained. These will be awarded under special damages provided you have evidence to prove the losses.
Types of financial losses you may be able to claim back might include:
- Travel expenses
- Prescriptions
- Special equipment, e.g. mobility aids
- Loss of wages
- Childcare costs
If you have any further questions about ankle injury compensation, don’t hesitate to contact our advisors today.
Ankle Injury Compensation Amounts – Claim With A No Win No Fee Lawyer
You may be considering hiring a solicitor to help you claim for an ankle injury. Settlement amounts in the UK can be negotiated with the help of a solicitor, and they can also help you collect evidence and organise medical appointments.
However, if you are concerned about the cost of hiring a solicitor, we recommend you seek one that could offer you a No Win No Fee arrangement.
If a solicitor offers you a No Win No Fee agreement, such as a Conditional Fee Agreement, this means you will not need to pay them upfront.
If your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation amount. The success fee deducted from your compensation is capped under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013. However, if you do not receive compensation, you will not be required to pay them this success fee.
Our advisors offer a free consultation where they can check your eligibility to work with our team and also discuss ankle injury compensation amounts and the average payout for an ankle injury. Use the contact details in this guide to get in touch whenever suits you.
Call Us To Make An Ankle Injury Claim
If you would like any more information on claiming for an ankle injury, then please contact us by:
- Using our live chat feature
- Calling us on the number at the top of the page
- Filling out our online contact form
Further Information About Ankle Injury Claims
Here are some additional resources, with further information:
- Visit the HSE website for workplace statistics.
- For any medical advice, visit the NHS website.
- See the government guide on claiming compensation after an accident or injury.
Below, you can find links to more of our guides on personal injury claims:
- A guide to personal injury claims
- How to claim compensation for a brain injury
- What is a mesothelioma case worth?
- A guide to the personal injury claims time limit
- Learn about claiming after suffering a torn bicep
- Slip trip and fall claims – see if you can claim compensation
- How to prove a personal injury claim
- A guide to No Win No Fee agreements
- Personal injury claims guidelines
- A guide to neck injury claims
- Wrist injury claims – an overview
- What is a personal injury claim?
- How to find serious injury solicitors for personal injury claims
- Advice for ankle dislocation injury claims
For any further information in relation to an ankle injury claim, please feel free to contact us on the number at the top of the page.