If you’ve suffered a rib injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you’re probably already well aware of how badly it can affect someone’s day-to-day life and finances. You may have found this guide while looking for information on rib injury claims. If that is the case, you’ll find everything you need to know laid out in this guide.
Our guide starts by exploring who can make a claim and takes a look at some of the common reasons behind why someone might seek compensation. You will also discover what rib injury compensation can cover and whether it’s possible to claim for financial losses.
Next, we walk you through various aspects of the claims process, including what kind of evidence can be beneficial and how long it may take for a case to be settled. Finally, we reveal how a solicitor from our expert panel can help you seek personal injury compensation.
Whether you suffered a rib injury at work, in a road traffic accident, or in a public place, you may have grounds to make a claim if someone else was responsible. Start your claims journey today by getting in touch:
- Call one of our advisors on 0333 000 0729.
- Tell us what happened through our chat.
- Send a message to our team using our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who Is Eligible To Make Rib Injury Claims?
- The Most Common Causes Of Rib Injuries
- The Symptoms Of Injured Or Broken Ribs
- How Much Injured Rib Compensation Could I Get?
- What Evidence Will I Need To Make A Rib Injury Claim?
- Is There A Time Limit To Claiming Rib Compensation?
- How Long Will It Take To Settle A Rib Injury Claim?
- Getting Advice From Legal Helpline
- Learn More
Who Is Eligible To Make Rib Injury Claims?
Anyone is eligible to make a rib injury claim so long as the following criteria are met:
- Your accident was caused by another party who had a duty of care towards you.
- They breached this duty of care.
- You were injured as a result of the breach.
Essentially, a duty of care is a responsibility that someone has to take reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing, health, and safety of others. This obligation is governed by different pieces of legislation, but the principle of protecting others is the same regardless.
If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to claim rib injury compensation, please get in touch. Our advisory team is available 24/7 and always ready to answer your questions.
The Most Common Causes Of Rib Injuries
Below, we look at some of the more common causes of rib injuries and why they may lead to a compensation claim.
Road Traffic Accidents
Everyone has a duty of care to use roads in such a way as to avoid causing injury to one another. To help meet this duty, road users must comply with the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988. Failing to follow these rules and regulations, such as obeying traffic signals or checking their mirrors, often leads to road traffic accidents.
- Example: A drink driver fails to stop at a zebra crossing while going over the speed limit. Consequently, they hit someone crossing the road, leaving the pedestrian with multiple cracked and broken ribs.
Workplace Accidents
Employers must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those in the workplace, per legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). These steps can involve conducting risk assessments, giving proper training, and providing workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Example: Construction site management delays installing safety railings and does not provide safety harnesses to their workers. Despite this, work continues on the site, resulting in a worker suffering a rib injury and a broken leg after falling from scaffolding.
Public Liability Accidents
Anyone in control of a public space has a duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 to take reasonable measures in order to keep visitors safe on their premises. These steps could range from regular inspections of stairwells and lifts to marking spills with wet floor signs.
- Example: A supermarket has known about a raised paving slab in a car park for some time, but doesn’t make repairs or erect signs to alert others to the tripping hazard. In the resulting pedestrian accident, a shopper trips and falls on the slab, suffering cracked ribs and a broken wrist.
These examples are only a small selection of why rib injury claims happen. If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please contact us for free and confidential advice today.
The Symptoms Of Injured Or Broken Ribs
The symptoms of broken, bruised, or otherwise injured ribs include:
- Feeling or hearing a cracking sound in the bone.
- Significant pain in the chest and rib cage, particularly when coughing or breathing in.
- Visible bruising or deformity.
- Swelling and/or tenderness around the affected ribs.
- Restricted movement, such as not being able to freely move your chest and arms.
- Coughing up green/yellow mucus or blood.
You can discuss the specifics of your rib injury with our advisory team by using the contact details listed in this guide.
How Much Injured Rib Compensation Could I Get?
You could be awarded between £122,850 and £183,190 if you suffered a chest injury that led to the removal of a lung and/or serious heart damage. These figures come from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a document that solicitors sometimes use to help value a range of injuries covered under general damages. These damages compensate for the pain and suffering caused by an injury, such as a fractured rib.
We have included a selection of injuries from the JCG. However, it’s important to point out that the top figure doesn’t come from the publication, and the table itself isn’t a guarantee of rib injury compensation.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple forms of severe injury and special damages. | Severe | Severe injuries to the chest/ribs + special damages, such as medical costs. | Up to £500,000+ special damages, such as medical costs. |
| Chest injuries | Worst (a) | The most severe in this bracket would involve removal of a lung and/or serious heart damage. There would be persistent pain and permanent scarring would be significant. | £122,850 to £183,190 |
| Traumatic (b) | Affecting the lungs, chest and/or the heart. It will result in damage that is permanent, impaired function, reduced life expectancy, and a physical disability. | £80,240 to £122,850 | |
| Damage causing ongoing disability (c) | The damage will affect the chest and lungs. | £38,210 to £66,920 | |
| Simple injury (d) | Cases can include a single penetrating wound causing permanent tissue damage without a significant long-term impact on lungs. | £15,370 to £21,920 | |
| Smoke/toxic fume inhalation (e) | Which causes some residual harm that isn't sufficiently serious to permanently impact lung function. | £6,500 to £15,370 | |
| Collapsed lungs (f) | This bracket covers injuries that result in a collapsed lung where claimants make an uncomplicated and complete recovery. | £2,680 to £6,500 | |
| Rib fractures (g) | Fractured ribs or soft tissue injuries resulting in serious pain/disability over a number of weeks. | Up to £4,820 | |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | Severe | Permanently affecting a claimant's ability to function anywhere near to pre-trauma levels or leaving them unable to work. The PTSD will impact all aspects of a person's life. | £73,050 to £122,850 |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | Moderately severe | Similar to the above but the claimant has an improved prognosis with professional help aiding some degree of recovery. There will still be a likelihood that the PTSD causes significant disability. | £28,250 to £73,050 |
Additionally, special damages can compensate for any financial losses related to your rib injury. So long as you have evidence like payslips and invoices, you could claim for:
- Loss of earnings and income due to taking time off work or reduced working capacity.
- Medical expenses, such as pain medication to help manage the symptoms of bruised ribs..
- The cost of attending medical appointments.
- Physiotherapy to support your recovery from a rib injury.
- Professional care or assistance with daily tasks from loved ones.
- Therapy or counselling if your mental health was also affected.
This is not an exhaustive list of what special damages can cover. You can get information tailored to your unique circumstances by reaching out to a team member.
What Evidence Will I Need To Make A Rib Injury Claim?
You will need evidence that shows how another party was responsible for your injuries, how the accident occurred, and the extent and severity of your injuries. Key evidence in a rib injury compensation claim may include:
- Medical records detailing your injury, such as bruised ribs, fractured, or broken ribs. This information could include diagnostic notes, GP reports, and the results of X-rays or other tests.
- Your accident book report, if the rib injury happened at work, and your employer has one.
- Footage from CCTV, dashcams, or other recording devices.
- Witness contact information. These details could be given to a solicitor so that supporting statements can be gathered on your behalf.
- Photographs of any visible injuries, such as visible deformities.
The more evidence you can submit, the stronger your broken or bruised ribs injury claim may be. For more information, please discuss your case with an advisor.
Is There A Time Limit To Claiming Rib Compensation?
Yes, there is usually a 3-year time limit in which a rib injury compensation claim must be filed, as set out in the Limitation Act 1980. Exceptions to the time limit may apply if a claim involves a minor or someone who has diminished mental capacity. Since these 2 groups cannot seek compensation by themselves, the 3-year time limit won’t take effect until:
- A claimant turns 18.
- Mental capacity returns. If that happens, time limits apply from the point of recovery.
In either case, a litigation friend may file a claim for them while time limits are on hold.
Would you like to discuss being a litigation friend, or are you unsure whether you have enough time to claim? Then, please get in touch at a time convenient for you.
How Long Will It Take To Settle A Rib Injury Claim?
How long it takes to settle a rib injury compensation claim will depend on the individual circumstances of a case. Certain factors are more likely to affect timeframes, such as:
- The evidence needed and how easy it is to obtain proof.
- How soon a defendant admits to their liability. Claims may take longer if they dispute liability.
- Whether you are still receiving treatment for your rib injury.
- If there are disagreements over compensation during negotiations.
We’re here to help, so please contact us for guidance with your case or if you have any questions about the claims process.
Getting Advice From Legal Helpline
Our team is available 24/7 to provide free, no-obligation advice to help you take your first steps towards claiming compensation for a rib injury. The solicitors on our panel have years of expertise in securing personal injury compensation and have taken on claims throughout the country.
If you meet the rib injury claims criteria we discussed earlier, a solicitor from our panel could help you pursue compensation under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This agreement means you only pay for the solicitor’s work if you win your case, ensuring:
- No upfront solicitor fees.
- No additional solicitor fees during the process.
- No fees to pay at all if you don’t get compensation.
If you do win, your solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation as payment for their services. The percentage taken is pre-agreed and capped by law.
Contact Our Panel Of Solicitors
Ready to get started with your rib injury compensation claim? Contact an advisor to see if you could be connected to a personal injury solicitor from our expert panel:
- Calling 0333 000 0729.
- Using our live chat.
- Sending a message via our contact form.
Learn More
Below, you can explore additional resources related to our guide on rib injury compensation claims.
- Read about claiming for fractured and broken bones with a No Win No Fee solicitor.
- Learn about claiming compensation for a fractured calcaneus.
- Find out about claiming for a broken fibula.
These external references provide further information:
- NHS guidance on performing first aid.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for workers.
- Learn more about Statutory Sick Pay from the government.
We hope our guide has provided you with everything you need to know about rib injury claims.
