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

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

Solicitors Claiming Compensation For Broken Legs

Broken legs are invariably serious injuries, with even a simple fracture normally requiring at least 2-3 months off work and a prolonged period of immobility. Fortunately the main bones which make up the leg; the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) and fibula (alongside the shin bone), are all comparatively robust, and require considerable force to break. Existing weakness in the bones, or other diseases affecting the skeleton however can make a person more susceptible to breaking their leg in a fall. For these people the recovery time is likely to be far longer. An injured person will need to be cared for during the healing process, and may require round-the-clock care. Serious broken leg injuries can have important consequences for a person's ability to lead a normal life. They may be unable to return to work at all, or be forced to accept different roles. This is particularly the case in industries such as construction and factory-based jobs, where manual handling is central to the work. The resulting loss of earnings, including the loss of future earnings, can markedly alter a person's life and that of their family. The cost of ongoing medical treatment for complicated leg fractures may also impose additional financial strain.

Broken Legs Vary In Severity

The majority of broken leg injuries are simple fractures (cracks) to either the femur bone in the upper leg, or the tibula or fibula in the lower leg. Hairline fractures in these bones are also common, where a very small crack appears but the bone remains aligned. Both these types of broken leg injury will require time in plaster, crutches and physiotherapy during the standard healing process. More problematic fractures to the leg bones occur when a person has suffered a heavy fall or another kind of high impact accident. Apart from multiple simple fractures, these may be spiral fractures, where a crack spirals up a whole section of the bone, or comminuted fractures, where the bone has splintered into many pieces. One of the most traumatic types of broken leg injury is a open or compound fracture, where the force of impact has caused the broken bone to puncture the skin and protrude. As with all broken bone injuries, the factor of crucial importance is whether the bones will set properly. Surgery will be required in cases of serious leg breaks, with metal plates often inserted with pins and screws to support the bone while it gradually heals.

How Much Compensation For A Broken Leg At Supermarkets & In Public Places?

Almost any slip or trip accident may cause a broken leg, as each fall and landing will vary in force. Much also depends on the health of a person's bones prior to the accident, with the elderly and infirm particularly vulnerable to breaking bones even in minor falls. Along with ice and snow, slip and trip hazards in public spaces such as shops, supermarkets, and restaurants, include recently cleaned wet floors, spilled drinks, uneven surfaces (in the car park for example) and defective furnishings. Under the Occupier Liability Act 1957 the owners or tenants of premises visited by members of the public must take all reasonable measures to deal with health and safety risks when they arise. Therefore, when our lawyers are asked; can I claim compensation for a broken leg? The answer is usually yes if the accident took place less than 3 years ago. Our clients also want to know; how much compensation can I claim for a broken leg? The answer to this is that compensation awards for broken legs can rise to almost £200,000 in the most severe cases involving amputations and disability. For multiple fractures with ongoing complications, compensation will range between £17,750 and £25,000, while for less serious injuries, where some residual effects such as limp may persist, compensation will range between £11,500 and £17,750. For simple fractures, compensation will rarely exceed £5,570, except in the case of a broken femur, where the ceiling will rise to £9,000. These awards are made for the pain and suffering caused by an injury, while further damages may be awarded for financial factors such as the cost of medical treatment and loss of earnings.

Find Out More About: Supermarket Accidents

Broken Leg At Work

There are many potential causes of broken leg injuries both in the workplace and in public spaces. Freezing conditions, and the risk of slipping and falling heavily on ice, poses a threat in both spheres. Workers engaged in heavy manual work are the most likely to suffer accidents resulting in broken legs. Workers may fall from height, such as a contractor mending a TV aerial, or a builder working high up on scaffolding. Accidents of this kind may be the result of the actions or negligence of management or a co-worker. Guard rails and support ropes may be missing when working at height, or the structure itself may be unstable (e.g. a roof or lift shaft). Otherwise faulty or unsuitable work equipment and machinery may be primarily to blame. Heavy moving vehicles, such as forklifts and dump trucks also pose a threat to those around them. Some of the most severe leg fractures are caused by vehicles reversing into workers and crushing their legs against a hard surface. Legs may also get caught and trapped in pieces a machinery, resulting in similarly severe injuries. Employers have a duty to risk assess all working practises, and must ensure that their system of work does not create unnecessary threats to the welfare of their workforce.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of broken leg 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 do not pay a penny.