Compensation to Expect for Leg Injuries

Before pursuing a personal injury claim, most people want to know what kind of compensation they can expect. Most often, depending on the compensation, people will decide whether it is worth making a claim. The truth is that the compensation in each case differs, because it depends largely on the merits of the case. This is because each personal injury case is different, and sometimes a seemingly minor injury could have major consequences on the victim's life. However for those looking at concrete answers, the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines would be a good place to start.

Starting with leg injuries, the factors that will decide the amount of compensation depend on the part that was injured – calf, ankle, foot and also the type of injury – muscle damage, fracture and amputation. Coupled together, both are used to determine the severity of the injury and the chances of full recovery to be able to lead a normal life again. For example a tissue injury or a hairline fracture that can fully heal will fetch a compensation of 6000 to 8000 pounds. But this is the amount that comes directly from the injury as well. The remaining comes out of all the indirect expenses that have resulted out of the injury – like lost wages, emotional trauma, medical expenses, etc. That amount will depend on the ability of your lawyer to argue the case well, and provide evidence to back it up.

When it comes to serious leg injuries, an ankle injury is considered to be the least serious. (Serious injuries being loss of use of leg or loss of foot/leg altogether) Although ankles take long to heal, they do heal, unlike amputations where there is no question of healing whatsoever. In ankle injuries the compensation could go up to 15, 000 pounds, though this happens quite rarely. On an average, the compensation is around the 4000 pound mark

A rather small part of the leg – the Achilles' tendon – can receive a fairly decent compensation, particularly if their profession demands extensive use of their feet. Professional sportsmen, athletes, dancers, can receive compensations upto 11, 500 pounds. Sometime, if the recovery period is much longer, then the compensation is higher to accommodate it.

The highest compensation in leg injuries is awarded for knee injuries. The knee is a crucial joint for the movement of the leg and foot. Injury to the knee could often result in irreparable damage or at least long term loss of some movement of the leg. A serious injury that result in the victim losing capabilities like walking independently, bending or running could fetch compensations of over 45, 00 pounds to 60, 000 pounds. A minor injury to the knee – dislocation, twisting – which can heal completely can fetch about 8000 pounds.