By Cat Grayson. Last Updated 22nd November 2023. Below, you will find a guide to making a compensation claim for an accident causing a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are the most common of all injuries. They range from simple bruises to sprains and strains. This guide aims to teach you all that you need to know about making a claim for such an injury.
If you finish reading this guide and still have questions that need to be answered, please speak to one of our claims team on 0161 696 9685. They will be able to answer any questions for you, and also tell you how we can help you to make your claim using our simple and effective claims service.
Soft tissue injury claims guide
Select A Section:
- Who Can Make A Claim For Soft Tissue Damage In The UK?
- Average Compensation For A Soft Tissue Injury In The UK
- Soft Tissue Injury Claim – Time Limits
- Soft Tissue Injury Claim – Do I Need Evidence?
- No Win No Fee Soft Tissue Injury Claims
- Further Help And Advice
Who Can Make A Claim For Soft Tissue Damage In The UK?
In order to have valid grounds to make a soft tissue injury claim, you must meet the personal injury claims criteria. This means that you must prove that:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty was breached.
- You suffered an injury because of this breach.
There are various daily situations where you could suffer a soft tissue injury. These include:
- A road traffic accident. Road users owe each other a duty of care to navigate in a way that prevents injury and damage to themselves and others. To uphold this duty, they must adhere to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and any relevant rules and regulations found in the Highway Code.
- An accident at work. Employers owe their employees a duty of care. This is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), which stipulates that your employer must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees while working.
- A public liability accident. While in a public place, the controller of the space owes you a duty of care. This is set out under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, which states that they must take steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors.
Read on to learn about the average payout for a soft tissue injury. Or, contact our team of helpful advisors to start a free consultation.
Average Compensation For A Soft Tissue Injury In The UK
As previously explained, we cannot give you an average payout for a soft tissue injury in the UK. However, the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) can give you a better idea of your potential general damages compensation. The figures below are taken from the latest guidelines, published in April 2022.
Please bear in mind that these figures only relate to past successful claims that took place in England and Wales. As such, if you’re looking to claim in Scotland and Northern Ireland, please remember that the figures below may be less useful when determining your potential compensation amount.
With that in mind, it’s important to know that these figures are not guaranteed as every claim is different. There are many factors that can determine the amount of compensation you receive from a successful claim.
Soft Tissue Injury Compensation Calculator
Type of Injury Severity Information About the Injury Compensation Amount
Multiple Injuries Plus Special Damages Severe Several injuries combined with substantial monetary losses, such as lost earnings. Up to £50,000+
Arm Less Severe Significant disabilities but mostly a full recovery. £19,200 to £39,170
Foot Modest Injuries such as lacerations, abrasions, sprains, strains, scrapes and burns of the soft tissue of the foot. Up to £13,740
Ankle Modest Injuries such as lacerations, sprains, strains, abrasions, scrapes and burns of the soft tissue of the ankle. Up to £13,740
Hand Moderate This covers crush injuries, penetrating wounds and soft tissue injuries. £5,720 to £13,280
Back Minor (i) Surgery not required in order to make a full recovery normally within two to five years. Potentially covers exacerbation or acceleration injuries too. £7,890 to £12,510
Leg Less Serious (iii) Injuries such as lacerations, abrasions, sprains, strains, scrapes and burns of the soft tissue of the leg. Up to £11,840
Toe Moderate Injuries to the toe such as cuts, sprains, strains, scrapes, burns and torn nails. Up to £9,600
Neck Minor (i) Injuries such as lacerations, abrasions, sprains, strains, scrapes and burns of the soft tissue of the neck. Full recovery in around one to two years. £4,350 to £7,890
Whiplash Injuries With Psychological Injuries One or more Lasting for 18-24 months £4,345
Whiplash Injuries One or more Lasting for 18-24 months £4,215
Special Damages
Whether you have suffered a soft tissue injury in your foot or in your arm, your injury claim may also include special damages. This head of claim compensates you for any financial harm you have incurred as a result of your accident.
Types of financial losses or expenses you could endure, include:
- A loss of earnings if you need time off work as you recover from your injuries.
- Prescription fees if you require medication to alleviate any symptoms of your injuries.
- Adaptations made to your home to accommodate your injuries, such as a stairlift if you have broken your legs.
Please contact us for a free consultation if you would like an estimate of your soft tissue injury claim value in the UK. We can answer any queries you have and give you a compensation estimate that relates to your specific injury. Additionally, we can also connect you with a solicitor from our panel who could work your case using a No Win No Fee basis.
Soft Tissue Injury Claim – Time Limits
It’s important to make sure that your soft tissue injury claim falls within the relevant time limit. For personal injury claims, you will typically have three years to start a claim, starting on the date that you suffer your injuries. This is outlined in the Limitation Act 1980, which also outlines the exceptions to this rule.
For example, the time limit freezes for those injured while under the age of eighteen. A litigation friend can start the claim on their behalf while it is frozen. If no claim is started, then the time limit is reinstated on their eighteenth birthday and runs until they turn twenty-one.
Similarly, the time limit does not apply to those who lack the mental capacity to make their own claim. A litigation friend can start the claim on their behalf, but if no claim is made, the time limit will only be reinstated if they regain the needed capacity.
To learn more about your potential soft tissue injury claim value, or to find out if you are within the correct time limit to claim, contact our helpful advisors today.
Soft Tissue Injury Claim – Do I Need Evidence?
Evidence can benefit your personal injury claim in several ways. Firstly, it can be used to demonstrate that you experienced harm as a result of your employer breaching the duty of care they owed you. As such, you could gather:
- Contact details of those who witnessed the accident in which you were injured
- CCTV footage of the accident
- Photographs of the accident scene and any hazards which may have caused your accident and subsequent injuries
Secondly, evidence can be used to estimate your soft tissue injury claim value and how much you could be awarded in compensation.
For example, if you have suffered a soft tissue injury to your knee, compensation can be calculated by looking at several factors, such as the severity of your injury and the treatment you required. As such, medical evidence, such as a report from a medical assessment can help to assess how much you should be awarded.
Speak to our advisors if you would like to be put in touch with an expert personal injury solicitor from our panel. They can give you tips on what evidence to gather and can discuss the average compensation for a soft tissue injury in the UK.
Soft Tissue Injury Claims – No Win No Fee Solicitors
If you are eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation, a solicitor from our panel could help you. They could assist you with gathering evidence and ensuring your claim is filed within the correct limitation period. Furthermore, they may offer to represent you in your soft tissue injury claim under a type of No Win No Fee agreement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement.
Some of the benefits of making a personal injury claim with a No Win No Fee solicitor under this arrangement include:
- Zero upfront service fees to pay to your solicitor.
- No ongoing services fees to pay during your claims process.
- Not having to pay your solicitor for their work if your claim does not succeed.
Should your claim succeed, your solicitor will take a small, legally capped percentage from your compensation settlement. This is known as a success fee.
To find out if you could be eligible to work with a solicitor on our panel for your soft tissue injury claim, you can contact our advisors. They can be reached via:
- Calling 0161 696 9685
- Using our live chat pop-up.
- Contacting us online for a free callback.
Further Help And Advice
You might find the following related links to give useful information:
- Information about soft tissue injuries
- NHS information about sprain and strain injuries
- Information about the treatment of soft tissue injuries
- Workplace Rights
- No Win No Fee Claims
We have lots of guides on claiming personal injury compensation, which you can find below.