Broken Rib, Fractured Rib Injury Compensation Claims Guide

By Daniel Kirk. Last Updated 17th February 2023. On this web page, you will read a guide to the process of making a compensation claim if you have suffered a rib injury. It covers many of the main causes of claims, and also why you may be eligible to make a claim in your own case. We also cover the process of starting a claim.

If you have any questions about the contents of this guide, or need any specific legal advice related to your claim, please speak to one of our claim advisors on 0161 696 9685. They will go over your claim with you, and give you the help and answers that you need.

Select A Section:

A Guide To Fractured Or Other Rib Injury Compensation Claims
Calculating Compensation For Rib Injuries Including Fractures And Breaks
Broken Rib – How Much Will My Settlement Be Worth?
What Are Rib Injuries?
Accidents Which Can Cause A Rib Injury
Fractured Rib – Evidence You’ll Need To Claim
Claim For A Soft Tissue Rib Injury
Claim For A Fractured Rib
Claim For Serious Organ And Chest Injuries
How Are Rib Injuries Judged For Severity
Claims For Childs Rib Injury Or Fractured Rib At School
Rib Injury Claims Against A Council Or Local Authority
Rib Injury Claims After A Car Accident
Workplace Accident Rib Injury Claims
Rib Injuries Caused By A Slip Or Fall
How Long After A Rib Injury Can I Claim Compensation
Steps To Take In Claiming Compensation For A Rib Injury
No Win No Fee Claims For A Rib Injury
Why Make A Rib Injury Compensation Claim With Our Team?
Contacting Our Advisors Today
Additional Advice And Resources

A Guide To Fractured Or Other Rib Injury Compensation Claims

Broken rib compensation claims guide

In the sections below, you will find a complete guide to the process of using a personal injury lawyer to get you fractured rib compensation. You will find information such as:

A table that presents actual real-world figures related to the amount of compensation that is typically won, for a range of rib and chest related injuries.
A list of the main kinds of damages that a compensation settlement for a rib wound is likely to consists of.
A basic definition of what a rib injury is, how they come about, why you may be eligible to make a claim and who could be liable to pay compensation.
A list of the most common kinds of accidents and incidents that can result in the victim suffering an injury to their ribs.
An overview of the process of making a claim for a rib wound that has damaged the soft tissue of the chest or back.
An overview of the process of making a claim for a broken or fractured rib, either a simple or compound fracture.
An overview of the process of making a claim for a rib injury that has caused either minor or severe damage to the chest cavity, the heart or the lungs.
An explanation of how the severity of a chest injury is judged, and the effect that the severity of the injury has on a compensation claim.
A discussion of the legal process of making a compensation claim for a child who has suffered a damaged rib at school.
A look at the process that needs to be followed, if you intend to claim compensation for a rib wound from the local council.
An overview of the most frequent of all of the accidents in the UK, road traffic accidents, and how they can frequently be the basis of a damaged rib claim.
An explanation of the situation faced by people who have suffered a rib injury in a workplace accident, and how they could possibly pursue their employer for damages.
A section that pertains to slip, trip and fall accidents, which are very common in the UK. Including how they can often be the basis of a rib wound claim.
A table that shows the time limits that are in place, within which you must begin to make your chest injury compensation claim.
A general overview of the process of starting a new claim, and how our team can simplify this process for you, getting your claims started right away.
An introduction to the personal injury claims service that we offer to people all across the UK. A very effective yet simple way for you to get the compensation you are entitled to.

If you need any additional information, or have specific questions that have not been answered in this guide, please speak to our claims team on the contact number down near the end of the page.

Calculating Compensation For Rib Injuries Including Fractures And Breaks

You might be able to find an online personal injury claims calculator that would estimate your claim, but these are generally quite inaccurate. The table below shows actual real-world compensation ranges for different types of chest injuries.

Injury	Potential Compensation	Notes
Chest (a)	£100,670 to £150,110	Prolonged suffering and pain plus significant scarring that is permanent in nature from total removal of one lung, possibly alongside serious heart damage.
Chest (b)	£65,740 to £100,670	Permanent damage resulting in functioning impairments, disability and a reduction in life expectancy from traumatic chest injury.
Chest (c)	£31,310 to £54,830	Continuing disability from damage to chest and lungs.
Chest (d)	£12,590 to £17,960	Some permanent damage to the tissue from a relatively simple injury.
Chest (f)	£2,190 to £5,320	Full and uncomplicated recovery from a collapsed lung.
Chest (g)	Up to £3,950	Serious pain and disability lasting no longer than weeks from rib fractures or soft tissue damage.
Scarring	£7,830 to £22,730	Single disfiguring scar to the chest or many laceration scars on the chest.

For a more accurate estimate of how much damages for broken ribs, please speak to one of our claims team on the telephone number towards the end of the page.

Broken Rib – How Much Will My Settlement Be Worth?

If you suffered a broken rib injury due to negligence, you might be curious to know about the average compensation for broken ribs. However, every broken rib claim is different. Therefore, we cannot provide an average compensation.

This section looks at how compensation will be calculated in a successful claim.

Firstly, general damages compensates for the pain and suffering. The table above addresses general damages. It was put together using figures from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), last updated in 2022. The JCG contains rough guideline values for injuries. It cannot give you an exact figure.

Some broken rib claims may have a second head called special damages. Under this head, you could be compensated for any expenses incurred due to your broken rib. To claim special damages, you will need to prove your expenses. For example, with receipts or wage slips.

Special damages could help you recover:

Loss of earnings.
Medical expenses.
Travel costs.
Property replacement/repair.
Home and vehicle adaptions.
Carer costs.

The above list is not exhaustive. If you give our advisors a call, they can discuss what you could claim under special damages and advice on what evidence you could use to support this. Additionally, they can provide a free estimation of your broken rib claim and provide an eligibility check for injuries such as bruised ribs after a car accident.

What Are Rib Injuries?

Rib fractures are generally caused by blunt trauma, such as a heavy blow to the chest. For example, the chest impacting with a steering wheel during a car crash. Fractures can affect just one rib, or multiple ribs. These can be simple fractures, hairline fractures of compound fractures. The injury can also damage the chest cavity and organs such as the heart and lungs.

If you have suffered a rib injury due to the actions of a third party, then you could be eligible to claim compensation for a broken rib. This would be true even if you were partially to blame for the incident that caused the injury. Your solicitor would negotiate a reduced percentage of liability with the third party involved, and any settlement would reflect this percentage.

Accidents Which Can Cause A Rib Injury

There are many accidents and incidents that can lead a person to make a claim for rib injury compensation. However, some are much more commonly seen than others, and this includes:

Road traffic accidents of all kinds.
Accidents that involve a person being crushed.
Sporting accidents.
Falls from a height.
Assault with a blunt weapon.

Fractured Rib – Evidence You’ll Need To Claim

When claiming for a fractured rib, you need to be able to present evidence to support your claim. To illustrate, we have included some examples of proof you could provide. It’s important to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. There are other forms of evidence you may be able to present as well.

Medical records – These records could include documents such as X-rays and other relevant tests and treatments. You have the right to access your medical records at any time.
Visual evidence – For example, the incident that caused a broken bone such as a hairline fracture of the rib may have been captured on CCTV. You could also take photographs of the hazard(s) that contributed to you sustaining the injury.
Witness contact information – If anyone saw how you were injured, make sure you have a way of reaching them to see if they will consider submitting a written statement during the process of a claim.
Independent medical examination – This needs to be carried out as part of the claims process.

If you’ve suffered broken ribs from an accident, get in touch if you want to know more about gathering evidence. Our advisors can also give you a bespoke estimate regarding how much compensation for broken ribs you could be owed.

Claim For A Soft Tissue Rib Injury

Even though a soft tissue injury of the chest is generally going to be a fairly minor medical problem, it could still be possible for a personal injury solicitor to process a claim for you. Soft tissue injuries include:

Costochondral separation – here, the rib is completely ripped away from the sternum and is no longer attached to the costal cartilage, it is entirely disconnected and floating free.
Intercostal strains – here, the intercostal muscles have become strained, and the rib cage can now move vertically.
Bruising – where blunt trauma has broken or ruptured the tissue of the chest cavity or the chest wall.

Claim For A Fractured Rib

A fractured rib is a very common injury that people make a personal injury claim for. The ribs are really rather resilient, due to their flexibility and the curved shape. They are able to absorb a high level of blunt trauma before they are damaged. Most fractures occur on the outer edge of the rib. Older people are far more susceptible to rib fractures than the very young.

Claim For Serious Organ And Chest Injuries

Often the highest compensation for broken ribs, is paid to people that have suffered organ damage due to a damaged rib piercing the lungs or heart. There are a number o serious medical conditions in this category, and these are:

Splenic rupture – here, one of the ribs has penetrated the spleen, on the left side of the stomach below the rib cage.
Cardiac and associated blood vessel injury – here, a damaged rib has pierced the heart, or has damaged or severed one of the main arteries of the heart.
Pneumothorax – here, a fractured rib has punctured the lung, which in turn, has caused the lung to collapse.

How Are Rib Injuries Judged For Severity

When it comes to making rib injury compensation claims, the severity of the injury and the effect it has on the victim’s life, is a primary driver of the amount of compensation awarded. Aspects of the injury that are evaluated to judge severity, include:

The level of physical pain endured.
The psychological effects of the injury.
Whether the injury does or did lower the life quality of the victim.
How painful and traumatic the recovery period was.

Claims For Childs Rib Injury Or Fractured Rib At School

If your child suffers an accident at school that results in a fractured rib, then as long as it can be proven that the school has failed in its duty of care, then a reason to make a claim should exist. In this case, you, the parent, would act as a litigation friend for your child, and represent them as you claim for compensation for a rib injury on their behalf.

Rib Injury Claims Against A Council Or Local Authority

If the local authority or council has failed in its legal obligation to provide a safe place (both inside council premises and on the public streets) at all times, then you should be able to pursue the organisation for broken ribs and pain compensation. You would need to be able to demonstrate how the council has failed in its duty of care towards you to proceed.

Rib Injury Claims After A Car Accident

A common cause of a broken rib is a car accident, motorcycle accident, or even a pedestrian accident involving a moving vehicle. Road traffic accidents are the most frequent of all of the accidents in the UK each year. In order for you to claim compensation for broken ribs in a car accident, you will need to be able to prove that one of the other parties involved, was at least partially to blame for causing the accident.

Workplace Accident Rib Injury Claims

Broken rib from work accident

Every employer in the UK must comply with all Health & Safety regulations, as well as general bodies of legislation such as the Occupiers Liability Act, to ensure their staff are kept safe at all times. If the employer fails in this compliance, resulting in a broken rib at work for one of the staff, then a reason to make a claim would likely exist.

Rib Injuries Caused By A Slip Or Fall

Slips, trips and falls are the most frequent of all non-vehicle related accidents in the UK each year. They can happen for a range of reasons, such as:

Wet or dirty floors that have not been signposted as a hazard.
Obstructions left on a public footpath or walkway.
Damaged floor coverings such as torn carpets or cracked tiles.
Broken paving slabs and curbstones in the street.

Use the telephone number below to speak to a claim expert today.

How Long After A Rib Injury Can I Claim Compensation

If you need to make a claim for an injured rib, then there are certain time limits that apply. You can see which personal injury claims time limit applies in your own case, buy checking the table below:

Circumstances of Claim	Time Limit
If the victim is under 18 years of age.	3 years from the date they turn 18.
If the victim is over 18 years of age.	3 years from you being aware you have suffered an injury.

Steps To Take In Claiming Compensation For A Rib Injury

If you want to make a claim for broken ribs pain and suffering, then the process of starting a claim is very simple. Speak to one of our claims team on the number below, and they will ask you questions such as:

When did the injury occur?
How did it happen?
Who do you think was to blame?
Why do you think you have a valid reason to claim?
What does your doctor say about the possibility of a long-term or permanent health problem?
Have you suffered any financial losses due to the injury?
Have you had to take an extended period away from work?

The answers to question such as these, will help us learn about your claim, so that we can give you some free legal advice on how we think you should proceed.

No Win No Fee Claims For A Rib Injury

We offer a No Win No Fee claims service that is available to all residents of the UK, no matter where they happen to live. This is a very effective service, that is very easy to use. We charge no fee at all to start work on your claim, and no fee at all as we process it, even if this takes months. We also charge no fee if we fail at getting you any settlement. In fact, the only time that we will charge a fee, is when we have successfully won you a compensation settlement. We then take our fee directly from the money we have received on your behalf, and then pass the remainder over to you. Speak to one of our claim advisors on the number below to learn more about this simple service.

Why Make A Rib Injury Compensation Claim With Our Team?

If you use us to process your claim, you are assured of the following:

We will explain everything in simple English with no legal jargon.
We will keep you apprised of the status of your claim regularly.
We will be available to answer any questions you have at all times.
We always try and win you the highest compensation possible.
We do everything we can to ensure your claim is successful.

To get started with a claim today, follow this simple three-step process:

Speak to a claim advisor on the phone, by email or using web chat.

Explain your case to the claim advisor, who will then evaluate it.

If appropriate, the claim advisor will offer you a simple way to get your claim started.

Contacting Our Advisors Today

Do you need an answer to a question such as how much damages for bruised ribs? Or are you already at the stage where you want to get your claim underway? Either way, phone us on 0161 696 9685 today. One of our claims team will be ready to take your details, and get your claim started as soon as possible.