We can claim compensation for a worker who has sprained a foot at work. We can also claim if you have sprained a foot in a shop or other public place. Catherine Smith has experience in suing for sprained foot accidents. She introduces our no win no fee service in this video.

Read more about sprained foot accidents below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us can I sue a supermarket or employer for a sprained foot?

Solicitors Claiming Compensation For Sprained Feet

There are 26 bones in the human foot held together by ligaments, strong fibrous tissues that connect the bones to each other. A sprain occurs when these ligaments are over-stretched or torn. The feet are critical to a person's ability to stand up and move around. An injured person may be unable to place any weight on the foot following a sprain, effectively rendering them immobile without the assistance of crutches. A moderate to severe foot sprain will take 6-8 weeks to heal fully, and during that period an injured person's mobility will be restricted. They may be unable to return to work for some time, especially where their job involves standing for lengthy periods, or if their profession is physically demanding. Loss of earnings are therefore a common result of sprained foot injuries. Loss of mobility and function in the foot can also affect a person's ability to perform daily tasks, such as washing, getting dressed, going shopping, playing sports, and driving to work.

Symptoms & Treatment Of A Sprained Foot

Injuries that cause sprains in the feet are invariably painful initially, though this will normally subside into a persistent, dull ache. Sprains are usually sustained in the midfoot, where the foot arches. This area effectively serves as a shock absorber for the foot as a whole, and as such is particularly prone to damage. The metatarsal joints, where the toes connect to the foot, are also liable to sprains, especially the first metatarsal joint at the base of the big toe. Sprain injuries will be worsened by any weight being placed on the joint. For this reason a doctor's first priority will be to stabilise and support the foot using plaster or a splint. They will follow the medical principles of 'PRICE' (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). Temporary elevation of the foot will limit the flow of the blood to the joint, reducing both pain and swelling. In severe cases, where the ligament has been completely torn, arthroscopic surgery may be required to repair it. In rare cases doctors may be unable to fully repair the ligament, and an injured person may suffer chronic, permanent foot problems as a result.

Typical Causes Of Sprained Foot Injuries

The vast majority of sprained foot injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls, where the foot is violently wrenched or twisted in an unnatural direction. Accidents of this kind are most common in winter, when snow and ice pose a hazard to anyone venturing outdoors. Elderly people and children are particularly vulnerable to sprained foot injuries, as their bones and soft tissues are naturally weaker than those of a normal adult. Any type of high impact trauma can cause a sprained foot injury, including motor vehicle collisions, where the feet are braced at the moment of impact. Falls from height at work are another regular cause of sprained foot injuries, for example where a rung on a ladder gives way and a person falls directly downwards landing on their feet. The same could be true of an office worker changing a light bulb if the chair they were standing on collapsed. Trips and falls may also result in sprained foot injuries, especially in crowded, busy working environments where the risk of accidents cannot be altogether eliminated.

Find Out More About: Foot Injury Compensation

Find Out More About: Claiming Compensation For A Broken Foot

Legal Responsibilities Of Employers, Shops & Supermarkets

Employers must take all reasonable measures to keep the workplace free from slip and trip hazards. This includes implementing a safe system of work, and providing supervision of tasks where necessary. All equipment used for work should be in good condition, and suitable for the intended task. Workers must be fully trained and competent to perform their roles. Accidents are often caused by the actions of co-workers, for which management will be ultimately responsible. Sprained foot injuries may also affect people in public places, such as shops and supermarkets, where a number of potential hazards may cause falls and sprains. These are usually the result of poor maintenance, or a failure of inspection and cleaning routines. In icy conditions both employers and the owners or occupiers of public premises must have sufficient supplies of grit to treat outdoor areas and protect their visitors.

Find Out More About: Supermarket Accidents

How Much Compensation For A Sprained Foot?

Compensation awards for sprained foot injuries depend largely on the residual, long-term effects of the injury. Where a full recovery is made awards will rarely exceed £4,250. Continuing, permanent symptoms of an injury, such as aches or a limp may lead to higher awards of up to £8,750.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of sprained foot injury compensation claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case you keep 100% of the compensation awarded, and if you lose you will not pay a penny.