How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Chest Injury?

Last Updated 11th December 2025. A chest injury suffered in an accident can cause physical, mental, and financial difficulties. The physical effects alone often leave those affected to navigate the impact of collapsed lungs, heart issues, and breathing problems. If you were hurt through the negligent acts of a third party, you may be giving some thought to the chest injury compensation claims process. Fortunately, our dedicated team of advisors are here to help you.

At Legal Expert, our advisors work around the clock to answer questions and give the information needed to start pursuing compensation. As part of the free services we offer, you can receive an eligibility assessment to see if you can be put in touch with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors. With decades of experience in personal injury claims, one of them is ready to support you and secure the payout you deserve.

Key Information

• • What types of chest injuries can I claim compensation for? Chest injury claims often involve rib fractures, muscle strains, collapsed lungs, and damage to the heart and blood vessels.
  • What are the long-term impacts of a chest injury? A chest injury can have long-term effects on mobility, breathing, and lung function.
  • How much compensation can you receive for chest injury claims? Chest injury compensation can range from up to £4,820 for rib fractures and soft tissue damage to between £122,850 and £183,190 for serious heart damage and/or removal of a lung.
  • Can I make a chest injury claim? Yes, you could claim if you demonstrate that your chest injuries were directly caused by the negligent acts or inactions of a third party.
  • Can I seek compensation for PTSD in my chest injury claim? Yes, PTSD can be claimed for if it resulted from the same accident that caused the chest injury.

To learn more, read on, or contact our team of friendly advisors anytime during the week.

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How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded For Chest Injury Claims?

There are two potential heads of claim that you could receive should your chest injury compensation claim succeed. The first, general damages, is awarded to all successful claimants. This compensates you for your injuries and the pain and suffering they have caused you.

Often, solicitors and other legal professionals will use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help them value this head of claim. The JCG is a document that lists guideline compensation brackets for various injuries. Below you can find some of these. Additionally, we’ve provided a figure in the top row to show you how compensation could be awarded for multiple injuries and related expenses. This figure was not taken from the JCG.

Please only use this table as a guide.

Injury	Compensation
Multiple Serious Injuries and Special Damages	Up to £500,000+
Loss of one lung/heart damage	£122,850 to £183,190
Chest injury causing loss of function/loss of life expectancy	£80,240 to £122,850
Chest injury causing some disability	£38,210 to £66,920
Simple penetrating injury of the chest	£15,370 to £21,920
Toxic fume/smoke inhalation	£6,500 to £15,370
Collapsed lung	£2,680 to £6,500
Rib fracture	Up to £4,820

The second head of claim, special damages, is awarded to those who have suffered financial losses because of their injuries. In order to claim under this heading, you need to be able to provide proof of your losses with bank statements, receipts, or bills.

Under special damages, you could potentially claim back the cost of:

• Lost earnings.
• Medicines and prescriptions.
• Domestic help.
• Childcare.
• Essential travel.

To find out more about claiming compensation for a chest injury, contact our team of advisors today.

Our Case Studies On Chest Injury Claims

What Types Of Chest Injury Can You Claim For?

Chest injury is a very wide term that is used to describe a range of different injury types and illnesses. All of these can affect the chest area of the body; commonly, the chest is defined as the area between the neck and the diaphragm. It can include everything from broken bones to musculoskeletal injuries to other problems. Specific types of injury can include;

• • Fractured and broken bones (including ribs, the clavicle, sternum, or even the breastbone).
    Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the chest and sternum.
  • Any other injuries or illnesses which can affect the internal organs.

Chest injuries can have a serious and long-term effect on those who suffer from them. To get the compensation you deserve, talk to Legal Expert today.

Am I Eligible To Claim For A Chest Injury?

There are various day-to-day situations that could result in a chest injury. However, if you are seeking compensation, you must be able to prove that a liable party’s actions or inactions caused your injury.

Situations where you might be eligible to make a chest injury claim include:

• Public liability accidents. Visitors to public spaces are owed a duty of care by the individual or organisation responsible for the premises (otherwise known as the occupier) under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This means that the occupier must ensure your reasonable safety as a visitor. For example, if the occupier is aware that a sharp railing is sticking up but fails to repair it or make it safe, and you slip and impale yourself on this railing, you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim.
• Road traffic accidents. Anyone using the roads, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorbike riders and vehicle drivers, owes a duty of care to everyone else on the roads. This means that they must navigate in a way that avoids causing injuries to themselves and others. As part of this duty, anyone using the roads should adhere to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. For example, if a driver speeds through a red light while you are crossing the road and runs you over, you could claim compensation for your injuries.
• Accidents at work. While you are in the workplace, your employer must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure your health, safety and welfare. This duty of care is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). If you would like to claim chest injury compensation, you need to prove that your employer failed to comply with relevant health and safety regulations. For example, your employer doesn’t carry out regular maintenance, causing your chest injury.

Direct any questions about your eligibility to seek personal injury compensation to a member of our advisory team.

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Time Limit For Starting A Chest Injury Claim

It is vital that you start your chest injury claim within the time limit set by the Limitation Act 1980. For personal injury claims, this is generally three years from the date of the accident.

However, in certain circumstances, there is a suspension applied to this three year time limit. These include:

• When an injured person is under the age of 18. The time limit is paused until their 18th birthday, giving them three years from that date to begin a claim for chest injury compensation. However, during this pause, a litigation friend could be appointed by the court to seek compensation on their behalf.
• When an injured party does not have the mental capacity to make their own chest injury claim. In these cases, the time limit is suspended for as long as they do not have this capacity, perhaps indefinitely. At any point during this time, a litigation friend can manage the claims process for them. Should the injured person recover this capacity and a claim was not made on their behalf, they will have three years from the date it was deemed they made this recovery to start one.

Direct any questions you have about the time limits that apply when claiming for your chest injury to a member of our advisory team.

Will I Need Evidence To Claim For Chest Injury?

Yes, you will need to present evidence in order to claim for a chest injury. This will need to show the injury you have suffered, the impact it has had on your life and the negligent actions that caused it. 

The evidence you present may depend on the type of accident you have had and what you want your compensation to cover. You can supply:

• Your medical information (you can request a copy of your medical records)
• Photos of the chest injury
• Videos of the incident (including CCTV)
• A copy of an accident report (some accidents in a workplace or public place require the person in charge to make a report) 
• Payslips, receipts and bank statements (these are especially important if you want to claim special damages)
• Vehicle and insurance details (this can apply if you experienced an accident on the road)
• The contact information of anyone who witnessed your accident (your solicitor may later take witness statements to support your case)

Speak with our advisors today for more tips on gathering evidence for a chest injury compensation claim. If you are connected with one of our solicitors, they may even organise an independent medical assessment for you. This can be extremely helpful when it comes to proving the severity of your injury and how it may affect you in future.

No Win No Fee Chest Injury Claims

Those with valid grounds to claim chest injury compensation can consider getting support from a solicitor. If you talk to our advisors about your claim, they may connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Our solicitors can support chest injury claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With such an agreement in place, you won’t need to pay upfront or ongoing fees for your solicitor’s services. Also, you won’t need to pay your solicitor for their work if your injury claim proves unsuccessful.

If your claim does succeed, a success fee will be taken. This is a percentage that is legally capped and will be subtracted from your compensation.

To learn more about how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you with your chest injury claim, you can contact our advisors for free. You can reach our team through the following methods:

• Call us on 0800 073 8804
• Write to us using our ‘Contact Us‘ form about your claim online
• Message us online through our 24/7 live chat service

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to some commonly asked questions on chest injury compensation claims:

How Are The Compensation Levels For Fractured Ribs Or Soft Tissue Damage Calculated?

Compensation levels are primarily determined by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) and depend on the severity and recovery time.

• Minor Injuries (simple rib fractures, soft tissue damage with full recovery within months) receive lower awards.
• Severe Injuries (multiple/unstable rib fractures, flail chest, or injuries causing long-term pain and breathlessness) receive significantly higher awards due to the permanent impact on function and quality of life. Medical reports confirm the prognosis.

How Does Long-Term Respiratory Impairment Affect The Total Value Of A Chest Injury Claim?

Long-term respiratory impairment dramatically increases the total claim value. If the injury results in permanently reduced breathing capacity, chronic pain, or long-term issues like recurrent pneumonia, the compensation awarded for General Damages (pain and suffering) is substantially higher. It also allows for greater Special Damages claims covering future care and loss of earning capacity due to reduced stamina and ability to work.

Can I Claim For Damage To Internal Organs Following A Chest Trauma?

Yes, absolutely. Injuries involving internal organs, such as lung collapse (pneumothorax), damage to the heart (contusion), or major blood vessel tears, lead to the highest value chest injury claims. These severe internal injuries require extensive medical evidence and result in significant compensation reflecting the lifelong medical monitoring, permanent disability, and potential reduction in life expectancy.

Can I Claim If My Chest Injury Was Caused By A Crush Accident Or Heavy Lifting At Work?

Yes, if employer negligence can be proven. Crush injuries often occur in construction or factory settings due to heavy machinery or falling objects. Heavy lifting claims arise if the employer failed to provide proper manual handling training, adequate assistance, or appropriate risk assessments. Your solicitor must prove the employer breached the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

What Financial Losses Can I Claim If My Chest Injury Prevents Me From Working?

You can claim for Special Damages, which covers all financial losses resulting from the injury:

• Past Loss of Earnings: All income lost from the date of the accident until the settlement date.
• Future Loss of Earnings: Compensation if the injury prevents you from returning to your former job or reduces your earning capacity long-term.
• Care and Assistance: Costs for any help you need with daily tasks (e.g., housework, personal care) during recovery, even if provided by family members.

Will My Compensation Cover The Cost Of Private Pulmonary Or Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Yes. If an independent medical expert recommends private pulmonary rehabilitation, specialised cardiology treatment, or long-term physiotherapy to maximise your recovery and restore respiratory function, the cost will be included in your Special Damages award. The compensation aims to fund necessary treatment that the NHS may not provide promptly or fully.

Does A Severe Chest Injury Qualify For An Interim Payment While The Claim Is Ongoing?

Yes. If your chest injury is severe (e.g., causing prolonged hospitalisation, surgery, or inability to work) and the defendant has admitted liability, you can apply for an interim payment. This early payment is crucial for covering immediate costs like lost income, medical bills, or paying for essential private care while the full claim is still being prepared and valued.

Useful Links

• Read our guide on Car Accident Claims to find out whether or not you could make a No Win No Fee claim.
• Are you wondering whether you Can Claim For A Serious Road Accident? Our guide offers more information.

If you have suffered a chest injury, get free legal advice and find out how much you can claim.