Last Updated 16th February 2026. The ribcage has a vital protective function in the body by sheltering the internal organs behind it. Whether it be bruising, tears or even fractures, injuries to the ribs can therefore have harmful and potentially long-lasting effects on nearby organs. If a rib injury was caused by a third party, this can also add another layer of frustration to an already upsetting experience. If you’ve suffered something similar, you may be giving some thought to the broken rib injury claims process. Fortunately, our team is ready to help you pursue a compensation pay-out that you deserve. Don’t worry, we can show you how to claim today.
At Legal Expert, we understand that the process of starting a claim can seem daunting. Thankfully, our advisory team work around the clock to answer questions such as ‘how much compensation for broken ribs could I receive?’ You could also be connected with one of our experienced No Win No Fee solicitors to start your compensation claim. Having already gained over £80 million in compensation, our talented solicitors have decades of experience in providing a successful service.
What You Need To Know About Broken Rib Injury Claims
- How much could I receive for broken ribs? Broken rib injury compensation will be calculated on a unique, case-by-case basis. The severity of your injuries, your recovery period, the impact on your quality of life and any financial losses will be factored into your figure.
- Are broken rib injuries considered as serious? Depending on the severity, broken rib injuries can pose serious risks such as damage to the heart and surrounding blood vessels, a collapsed lung and organ damage.
- How long does it take for a fractured rib to heal? It will typically take around 2-6 weeks for a fractured rib to heal; most will not require surgical intervention.
- How can a broken rib be sustained in an accident? A broken rib can occur in many different situations such as in road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and accidents in a public place. A duty of care is owed in each of these scenarios.
- How long will I have to make a broken rib injury claim? You will typically have up to 3 years from the date of the accident to start your claim. However, time limits may be extended for children and individuals who lack mental capacity.
You can also contact us today for a free consultation about making a claim:
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How Can You Break Your Rib And When Can You Claim Compensation?
The first step in claiming for fractured ribs is establishing if you were owed a duty of care and if a breach of this duty caused your injuries. Together, these three factors amount to negligence. If you can prove that negligence occurred, you may be able to make a claim.
Some examples of when you could be owed a duty of care include:
- At work – You may be able to make an accident at work claim if your employer breached their duty of care, causing your rib injuries. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers owe their staff a duty of care to take reasonable steps to keep them safe while working.
- Using the roads – Drivers and road users have to navigate the roads in a way that prevents harm to others and themselves, which is their duty of care. To uphold this duty, they have to follow the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.
- In public – As established by the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, those in control of public spaces owe visitors a duty of care. This means that they have to ensure the reasonable safety of those using the premises for its intended purpose.
For more advice on whether you could make a broken rib claim, please contact our advisors today. You can speak to them for free either online or on the phone. Or, read on to learn about what types of damages could be included in the average payout for broken ribs in the UK.
Symptoms And Complications Of Broken Rib Injuries
Broken rib injuries can cause a multitude of symptoms and complications that can have significant impacts on a person’s life, ranging from breathing difficulties to pneumonia.
We’ve provided some examples below to illustrate some of the signs of broken rib injuries:
Symptoms:
- Severe, sharp chest pain
- Intensified pain when breathing, coughing, sneezing or twisting
- Bruising, swelling, and tenderness around the injury site
- Hearing or feeling a “crack” or “pop” sound
Complications:
- Punctured lungs (pneumothorax)
- Respiratory failure, which may involve lung collapse
- Flail chest
- Organ damage resulting from rib fragments
- Vascular injury
- Surgical emphysema
- Chronic pain
Speak to an advisor today to discuss broken rib injury claims and find out how we could help you in your specific circumstances.
How Do I Prove My Broken Rib Injury Claim?
When making a personal injury claim for broken ribs, it is important that you can prove that you sustained your injury due to someone breaching their duty of care to you. This is why evidence is crucial. Some of the potential evidence you could gather to help prove your claim includes:
- Any CCTV footage, photographs or videos of the incident.
- Eyewitness contact details (so a statement can be collected from them later).
- Medical evidence, such as a copy of your medical records stating you have suffered from shattered ribs, and any of the treatment you may have needed.
- An accident report book (if applicable).
- A police report number (if applicable).
- Evidence of any financial losses you have suffered due to your injury. This could be bank statements, receipts, or invoices.
Remember, if your claim is successful, how much compensation you receive will depend on the specific factors affecting your claim. Therefore, there is no average compensation for broken ribs that we can provide.
Contact our advisors today to learn more about how to claim.
How Long Do I Have To Start A Broken Rib Injury Claim?
You will typically have 3 years to start a claim for broken rib compensation from the day you sustained your injuries. This time limit applies to most personal injury claims under the Limitation Act 1980.
Understandably, everyone’s circumstances differ, and some may not be able to begin a claim within this time frame. Therefore, some exceptions to the time limit are in place so that everyone has a fair opportunity to start a claim.
The time limit may not directly apply to a claim if:
- The claimant is a minor. Here, the 3-year time limit is paused until the claimant turns 18 and will run until they turn 21.
- The claimant lacks mental capacity. Here, the 3-year time limit is indefinitely paused. However, if they regain mental capacity, it may commence.
If the time limit is paused, a litigation friend may start a claim on behalf of the claimant. It is their responsibility to ensure that they are acting in the claimant’s best interest throughout the claims process.
If you have any questions regarding the time limit for broken rib injury claims or the role of a litigation friend, please get in touch with our helpful advisors.
What Does The Broken Rib Injury Claims Process Involve?
The personal injury claims process is made up of a series of steps. You may start by seeking the expert support of a personal injury solicitor to help the process run smoothly. From there, the stages of what is known as pre-action protocol are:
- Informing the defendant that you intend to claim by sending a Letter of Notification. The defendant must reply to this letter within 21 calendar days and have three months to investigate.
- Considerations over whether you have a reasonable need for medical treatment or rehabilitation. This could involve discussions on how to address the cost of such care.
- A Letter of Claim, which provides the defendant with a more detailed summary of your claim and the facts it is based on.
- The defendant’s response, which must be given within 21 calendar days of receiving the Letter of Claim.
- Disclosure. This is where you and the defendant can exchange relevant documents to address the claims you have made.
- The contribution of experts. For example, a medical professional could be asked to provide an independent assessment of your injuries.
- Negotiations between the two parties. They could result in an early offer or an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which is a form of mediation intended to prevent a case from going to court.
If the defendant refuses to accept liability, the case may go to court. If you are wondering whether your broken rib injury claim would go to court, it is worth noting that only a very small number personal injury claims require a court hearing.
You can call us today to ask about how claims work. Get a free case assessment from us to learn if one of our solicitors could take your case and help you through every step of the claims process.
How Much Compensation Could I Claim For A Broken Rib?
Understandably, many people ask our advisors how much compensation they would get for rib injuries. The average payout for broken ribs in the UK would not tell you much about what you would get personally, as compensation is calculated on a case-by-case basis.
If your claim is successful, your broken rib compensation will definitely include a payment under the general damages head of loss. This accounts for the physical pain and mental anguish caused by the accident. It’s possible to claim for other injuries or mental conditions on top of a broken rib.
Those calculating general damages compensation for broken rib injury claims can look at the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) and its collection of guideline compensation brackets for some support.
We’ve created a table using these brackets, focusing on injuries related to broken ribs. Only the top entry hasn’t come out of the JCG.
Just remember that this is only a guide and you’ll get a better idea of what personal injury compensation you can claim by speaking to us.
Injury Severity Amount
Serious Multiple Injuries And Monetary Losses Serious Up to £250,000+ where also awarded special damages including things such as private medical costs, childcare costs and loss of wages.
Chest Injury (a) - Lung Removal/Serious Heart Damage £122,850 to £183,190
Chest Injury (b) - Traumatic Injury £80,240 to £122,850
Chest Injury (c) - Damage to Chest and Lung(s) £38,210 to £66,920
Chest Injury (d) - Simple Injury Causing Some Permanent Damage £15,370 to £21,920
Chest Injury (g) - Fractures of Ribs Up to £4,820
Digestive System (i) - Damage Resulting from Traumatic Injury (i) £52,490 to £75,550
Special Damages For Injured Ribs Claims
Your compensation award may also include special damages. Special damages can cover for the financial losses that have been directly caused by your injuries.
Examples of special damages can include:
- Loss of earnings due to needing to take time off work to recover. This can include past, present and future losses.
- Travel costs if, for example, you’ve had to pay for public transport to receive treatment needed for your injuries.
- The cost of ongoing care or special aid equipment you require for day-to-day activities while still recovering from your injuries.
You will need to provide evidence of these financial losses in order to claim the back under special damages. Receipts, invoices and payslips could all be used as proof of your financial losses.
You can contact our advisors for more information on how much compensation for broken ribs you could claim if you have a valid case.
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Case Study: £6,600 Payout In A Broken Rib Injury Claim
In this example* case study of a broken rib claim, Miss K was involved in a rear-end collision when a speeding drink driver crashed into her vehicle. The force of the collision and the sudden jolt in her seat caused her to hit her ribcage against the steering wheel, which resulted in her sustaining a broken rib.
Due to the severity of the injury, Miss K had to be off work for several weeks from her manual labour job. With the help of a personal injury solicitor, Miss K secured £6,600 in compensation.
To read more about this case, head over to our other guide on Miss K’s £6,600 compensation for a broken rib.
You may have an eligible claim, like the one discussed here. Call us today to see if you can claim broken-rib compensation.
Make A Broken Rib Claim With One Of Our No Win No Fee Solicitors
If you are eligible to seek compensation for fractured ribs, you may wish to work with a solicitor on your claim. One of our personal injury solicitors could support your case. They typically work under a No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
When your solicitor works on your claim under this type of agreement, they generally don’t charge you upfront for their services. Additionally, if your claim does not succeed, you will not be charged for their work.
However, if the outcome of your claim for a broken rib is successful, your solicitor will take a success fee out of your compensation. This amount is a percentage that is subject to a legal limit.
To see if you are eligible to claim for cracked ribs, speak to an advisor from our team. If it seems like you have valid grounds for a claim, they could connect you to one of our solicitors.
To talk to an advisor:
- Visit our ‘contact us‘ page
- Call 0800 073 8804
- Use our live webchat
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to some of the most common FAQs:
Are Broken Ribs Considered Serious Injuries?
Broken ribs are considered serious injuries because of the severe pain a person can experience, long recovery times, and the risk of damage to internal organs, such as the lungs.
Can Broken Ribs At Work Lead To Compensation?
Yes, broken ribs at work can lead to compensation if you are able to prove that your injury was a direct result of the negligent actions of your employer.
Can You Claim For Time Off Work After Breaking Ribs?
Yes, you can claim for time off work after breaking ribs under special damages, which is a head of loss that can compensate claimants for any financial costs directly caused by the injury.
Can Multiple Broken Ribs Lead To Higher Compensation?
Yes, multiple broken ribs can lead to higher compensation due to the severity of the injury and the claimant’s greater likelihood of incurring substantial financial losses.
Do you think you are entitled to compensation for a broken rib? Connect with an advisor today so we can assess your broken rib injury claim.
Thank you for reading our broken rib injury claims guide, including our *illustrative case study. For more information on what your compensation payout may include following a successful bruise ribs injury claim, call our team.