We can claim compensation for employees who have injured a toe at work. We can also claim if you have hurt your toe in a shop or public place. Catherine Smith has experience in claiming compensation for toe pain. She introduces our no win no fee service in this video.

Read more about toe injuries below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us can I claim compensation if I have injured my toe in a supermarket?

Toe Injury Compensation Claims

Toes are susceptible to a variety of injuries of widely differing severity. Toes are extremely delicate and therefore particularly prone to injury. They may be bruised, cut, sprained, fractured, crushed or even amputated in extreme circumstances. Toes injuries can have just as serious consequences as injuries to the feet or ankles, as they effectively provide balance to the body, allowing us to stand up and walk. Toes injuries can therefore result in periods of complete immobility or limited personal mobility, either of which can have serious implications for an injured person's daily lifestyle and ability to work.

Types Of Toe Injury

Each foot contains 14 phalanges, which are the small bones which make up the toes. Given their delicacy, these bones can easily be broken or fractured following a sudden impact. Stress fractures may also develop from repeated pressure being applied to these bones over a period of time, or following a sudden change in physical routine involving increased use of the toes. Soft tissues in the toes may also become strained or sprained when subjected to a twisting movement or sharp extension in an unnatural direction. Ligaments and tendons in the toes may be torn, ruptured or completely snapped due to similar sudden pressures. Damage to the toes following an accident will often combine two or more different specific injuries, which may not be immediately apparent to the injured person. Walking may still be possible, though often this will only serve to worsen the original injury. Pain, swelling, numbness, stiffness and bruising or the skin are all common symptoms of toe injuries, and an x-ray will normally be required to assess the full extent of the damage.

Find Out More About: Claiming Compensation For A Broken Toe

Find Out More About: Claiming Compensation For A Broken Foot

Compensation For A Toe Injury From A Supermarket Or Public Premises

Commercials premises such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotels owe a duty of care to their visitors under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957. They must take all reasonable measures to reduce the risk of accidents on their premises and injuries to their visitors to the lowest possible level. Where they negligently fail in this respect, they may be liable to pay compensation to an injured person. Typical accidents include slips, trips and falls, on wet floors and uneven surfaces for example. In supermarkets, dairy products may be spilt and not cleared up sufficiently quickly, or product packaging materials may be discarded in aisles creating a tripping hazard. Store car parks and entrances can become particularly dangerous for visitors in freezing conditions. Commercial premises must store adequate supplies of salt or grit with this in mind, and must use it promptly, and in sufficient quantities when conditions become treacherous. Broken bones are common when a person falls heavily, or at an awkward angle. Where the blame for the injury lies with the occupier, owner, or a member of their staff, compensation may be claimed under the terms of their compulsory public liability insurance policy. Claims also have the added benefit of driving up standards, and preventing similar accidents occurring in the future.

Find Out More About: Supermarket Accidents

Toe Injuries From Work

Toe injuries can occur in almost any working environment. A bruise, laceration or fracture may result from stubbing the toe on a heavy stationary object, whether in a factory or in an office. Toes may be injured more severely when heavy or sharp objects are dropped or fall onto them. These accidents often take place in working environments where manual handling of heavy objects (such as in a warehouse) or rapid work with sharp objects (a kitchen for example) are common. Where an object is particularly heavy, the type of crush injuries caused can be particularly severe, even necessitating amputation of one or more toes. Slips, trips and falls are another regular cause of toe injuries at work. Repetitive movements which apply pressure to the toes, when prolonged over a period of time, may also cause stress fractures, such as climbing up and down ladders for example. Employers have a duty to provide a safe system of work for employees, including providing appropriate protective footwear where necessary. They must also ensure that the workplace is kept free from obstacles which may cause falls, and that objects are not left in precarious positions from which they might fall and cause injury.

How Much Can I Claim For A Toe Injury?

The most severe category or toe injury will involve the amputation of all toes. Damages will range between £23,250 and £36,000 depending on factors such as whether the amputation was surgical or traumatic and the residual effects on the injured person's mobility. The amputation of the great / big toe will lead to awards in the region of £20,000. Injuries causing severe damage, such as a crush injury, that fall short of complete amputation but result in ongoing complications will lead to compensation awards between £8,750 and £12,250. Awards between £6,150 and £8,750 will reflect serious toe injuries such as multiple fractures where there is ongoing pain, discomfort or sensitive scarring. Moderate toe injuries include simple fractures, and compensation will rarely exceed £3,500 where a full recovery is made within a short period of time. Compensation may rise to £6,150 where the recovery time is longer, or where a pre-existing degenerative condition is exacerbated. Lacerations, bruising and minor soft tissue injuries will normally result in compensation awards under £3,500 where a full recovery is made.

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