Last Updated On 29th January 2026. You could be entitled to make a personal injury claim for damage to your ribs if this resulted from a third party’s failure to comply with relevant health and safety legislation. The accident in which you were injured could have occurred while at work, in public spaces, or on the roads. Rib injuries can be debilitating, making even simple tasks a painful challenge. If you’re dealing with such harm alongside any financial fallout, an expert solicitor from our panel could provide you with support throughout the rib injury claims process.
Key Takeaways
- Rib injury compensation will cover the physical pain and mental suffering caused by the accident and any associated financial effects, such as lost income.
- Injured rib claims can arise from collisions on the road, trips and falls in public places like supermarkets, and unsafe conditions at work.
- Evidence is a crucial part of any personal injury claim, as you will need to prove that the liable party was responsible for your rib injury.
- You must also begin the claims process within the time limit, which is generally 3 years from the date you suffered a rib injury.
- A No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel can support you with a rib injury compensation claim by gathering evidence on your behalf and negotiating with the defendant’s insurers.
One of our advisors can assess whether you are eligible to claim compensation for your rib injury. They can also estimate how much compensation you could claim, advise on what expenses you could recover, and discuss what evidence would be needed to prove your version of events. If you are eligible and wish to pursue your rib injury claim with Public Interest Lawyers, they can connect you to a solicitor on our panel.
Jump To A Section
- Who Can Make Rib Injury Claims?
- The Most Common Rib Injury Causes
- What Compensation Could I Get For A Rib Injury?
- Could A Rib Injury Become Serious?
- How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Rib Injury?
- What Evidence Is Needed For Rib Injury Claims?
- How Our Panel Of Solicitors Could Help You
- FAQs About Rib Injury Claims
- More Information
Who Can Make Rib Injury Claims?
Anyone can make rib injury claims if they are hurt due to a liable third party’s failure to adhere to relevant health and safety legislation. To break this down for you, the following criteria must be met regardless of whether you suffered your rib injury at work, on the roads, or while out in public:
- You Were Owed A Duty of Care
A duty of care is a legal obligation that certain parties have to ensure others’ reasonable safety. This duty varies by situation and is governed by different legislation (more on this later), but a key part of personal injury claims is proving you were owed this duty at the point of your accident.
- That Duty Of Care Was Breached
You must be able to demonstrate that the liable party failed to adhere to the relevant safety rules and regulations, otherwise known as ‘breaching their duty of care.’ For example, your employer may have neglected to provide you with the training you needed to perform your job safely.
- You Suffered An Injury Or Illness
To be eligible for rib injury compensation, you must have evidence that the breach caused the harm you suffered. You can claim for minor injuries, such as bruised and broken ribs, as well as more severe chest damage. Additionally, if you suffered psychological damage, this can be considered in your rib injury compensation claim. However, any injury you are claiming for needs to be medically recognised.
Can I Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, you may be able to start a rib injury claim on behalf of a loved one if they are unable to do so themselves. Under such circumstances, you can help someone pursue compensation by acting as a litigation friend. Litigation friends may be necessary for minors and those who lack mental capacity, as neither group is able to start a claim on their own.
Some of the main duties of a litigation friend include:
- Making decisions for the claimant
- Obtaining evidence to support the claim
- Communicating with the solicitor
- Signing documents
You can get in touch with our helpful advisors anytime to find out if you are eligible to claim rib injury compensation with our solicitors for yourself or a loved one.
The Most Common Rib Injury Causes
In the following sections, you can find some of the most common causes of rib injuries and some examples of how they might occur as a result of negligent conduct or omissions.
Road Traffic Accidents
All road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, owe each other a duty of care. That duty involves using roads safely and responsibly in order to prevent injury to each other and themselves. As such, they must abide by the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. Failure to do so may result in road traffic accidents and rib injuries.
- Example: A driver becomes distracted by their mobile phone, causing them to swerve their vehicle and hit your bicycle. You are thrown off the bike as a result, leading you to sustain a broken rib and multiple fractures.
Accidents At Work
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employees must take reasonable steps to ensure the wellbeing, health, and safety of staff. That duty of care can be met in a number of ways, including conducting regular risk assessments and supplying appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Example: While working on a construction site, you are asked to use a ladder that your employer knows to be in serious disrepair. Subsequently, the poorly maintained ladder gives way, causing you to fall from a height and fracture your rib.
Accidents In A Public Place
All those in control of a public place have a duty of care laid out by the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Per their duty, occupiers must take practical measures to ensure the reasonable safety of all visitors to their premises. They can fulfil this obligation by taking steps like cordoning off hazards or using signs to inform visitors of potential risks, like wet floors.
- Example: While playing in a public park, a child breaks their rib and arm when a swing breaks, throwing them into the air. The council had received multiple reports about the swings being in danger of collapse ,but failed to make repairs or cordon off the equipment.
Sporting Activities
Playing sports comes with risks, but some rib injuries may be sustained in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. These accidents might occur because of things like faulty equipment, inadequate safety measures, or hazards like poor lighting.
- Example: While training on a treadmill at your local sports facility, the machine malfunctions and suddenly speeds up. You subsequently skid off the treadmill, causing a serious rib injury that means you can no longer play football. The facility failed to properly maintain the equipment and hadn’t conducted any regular inspections.
Regardless of how you sustained your rib injury, you may be entitled to compensation if you meet the eligibility criteria discussed earlier. To talk about your own experience, please get in touch with a member of our advisory team.
What Compensation Could I Get For A Rib Injury?
The compensation you might get for a successful rib injury claim will depend on several factors, including how long it takes for you to make a recovery and whether you also suffered psychological damage.
Personal injury compensation is calculated under 2 heads of claim, general and special damages. If awarded general damages, you will be compensated for your rib injury and any others, including psychological ones. Under special damages, you can claim for the financial losses resulting from those injuries.
The solicitor responsible for assessing the general damages part of the claim will use your medical report alongside the guidelines published by the Judicial College. These guidelines contain a list of suggested compensation brackets, which cover a variety of physical and psychological injuries.
In the table below, we provide some examples of the suggested brackets compiled by the JCG. However, they should be used only as guidelines, as compensation is not guaranteed, and the top figure doesn’t come from the document.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries + Special Damages (e.g. Private Medical Treatments) | Very severe injuries, special damages may recover lost wages, domestic support and prescription charges | Up to £250,000 plus |
| Chest Injuries (a) | Removal of one lung and/or serious heart damage | £122,850 to £183,190 |
| Chest Injuries (b) | Traumatic injury causing permanent damage | £80,240 to £122,850 |
| Chest Injuries (c) | Some continuing disability | £38,210 to £66,920 |
| Chest Injuries (d) | Relatively simple injury, but some permanent tissue damage | £15,370 to £21,920 |
| Chest Injuries (f) | Uncomplicated recovery from collapsed lungs | £2,680 to £6,500 |
| Chest Injuries (g) | Fractured ribs/soft tissue injuries | Up to £4,820 |
| Bodily scarring | Multiple Laceration Scars or 1 Scar That Is Disfiguring | £9,560 to £27,740 |
| Bodily scarring | Scarring With No Significant Internal Injury | In the region of £10,550 |
What Other Damages Could I Be Compensated For?
As touched on above, you may also be eligible to claim compensation for any financial losses your injuries caused you to incur. Some examples of the financial losses you can claim for under special damages include:
- Loss of earnings for the time spent off work. Additionally, lost work benefits, including bonuses, pension contributions, and holiday entitlement
- Medical costs, if you needed to pay for medication, therapy, or specialist private treatment
- Travel expenses for getting to and from appointments, such as bus fares and petrol
- Special equipment, such as a compression rib brace
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy to assist with your recovery
If you are claiming compensation for special damages, you will need documentation to prove your losses. This evidence can range from receipts for train tickets to invoices for any professional care you’ve received.
Interim Payments
You may also be eligible for interim payments, which is a portion of your compensation paid out before a claim concludes. Interim payments can cover urgent costs during the claims process, like rehabilitative care or private treatments. You may be able to apply for an interim payment if the defendant accepts liability or you’re likely to win compensation.
For more information on rib injury compensation, please contact our helpful advisors.
Could A Rib Injury Become Serious?
It is possible for a rib injury to become serious and even life-threatening. The purpose of the rib cage is to protect vital internal organs such as the heart and lungs. In some cases, the protection of such organs may be compromised, resulting in severe pain and a range of complications, such as:
- Hemothorax: Chest trauma affecting the ribs may lead to blood building up in the pleural space. This area is the space between the lungs and the chest wall
- Organ damage: The heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys can all be damaged by a rib injury
- Respiratory failure: In some cases, a rib injury can cause pneumonia, difficulties breathing, and even respiratory failure
Symptoms Of A Broken Rib
The symptoms of a broken rib injury can vary and include the following:
- Strong pain in your chest, such as when you breathe or cough
- Tenderness or swelling around the broken rib
- Bruising on the skin over the broken rib
- A cracking sound or feeling at the time of the injury
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, the best thing to do is seek medical attention. Although broken ribs often heal on their own, it is still important to take precautions and have your injuries examined by a medical professional.
No matter whether your rib injuries are major or minor, you may have grounds to claim compensation. Find out more by getting in touch with our team of advisors.
How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Rib Injury?
Typically, you have 3 years from the date you sustained your rib injury to start a claim for compensation. This time limit is established by the Limitation Act 1980 and applies to most cases. However, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to claim compensation, the limit is paused for children and mentally incapacitated people.
As mentioned, neither group can claim for themselves, so the 3-year time limit only takes effect in the following circumstances:
- A claimant turns 18, giving them until their 21st birthday to file a claim.
- If a claimant regains their mental capacity. Here, the limitation period begins when that capacity returns.
In both cases, a litigation friend can help a person claim while time limits are suspended. You can find out more and see if you’re still within the limitation period by reaching out to one of our advisors.
What Evidence Is Needed For Rib Injury Claims?
The evidence needed for rib injury claims must show how a third party breached their duty of care, directly resulting in the harm. Some examples of evidence that may support your claim include:
- Copies of your medical reports showing the severity of your rib injury, what treatments you’ve needed, and the prognosis for recovery
- Copies of your prescriptions or medical scans, such as X-rays
- Photographs of your injury, such as visible bruising or swelling
- Dashcam or CCTV footage showing the accident take place
- A copy of the accident report book, if applicable
- Copies of police reports, if they were called to the scene
- Details for the other party if your rib injuries occurred in a road traffic accident. You’ll want their insurance, as well as the vehicle’s model, make, and registration
- The contact details of any potential witnesses. You can give their information to your solicitor so they can gather statements for your rib injury claim
If you have concerns about collecting evidence like the above examples, help is available. By working with a solicitor from our panel, you can get assistance with obtaining whatever proof might be needed to support your claim.
You can contact our helpful advisors anytime for more information on how to obtain evidence for a rib injury claim.
How Our Panel Of Solicitors Could Help You
Our panel of solicitors are specialists in personal injury claims and have the expertise needed to help you pursue compensation. They have years of combined experience working on cases across the country, helping clients like you claim the compensation they deserve.
If you decide to work with one of the dedicated solicitors from our panel, you’ll not only gain access to cutting-edge expertise but also benefit from services like:
- Helping obtain proof to build a strong body of evidence
- Giving clear advice and regular updates throughout the claims process
- Handling documentation and communications with other parties
- Ensuring your claim is filed in time
All the services provided by our solicitors are offered on a No Win No Fee basis through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This agreement means that you won’t need to pay any upfront or ongoing solicitor fees.
If you win, your solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation. It’s payment for their work, but the percentage taken is small and capped. Should your claim not be successful, then you won’t have to pay any solicitor fees at all.
Contact Our Advisors
If you would like to learn more about the rib injury claims process or want to get started, please get in touch with our friendly advisors by:
- Visiting our ‘contact us’ page online
- Calling our advisors on 0800 073 8803
- Messaging our advisors on our live chat
FAQs About Rib Injury Claims
Quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about rib injury claims.
How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Broken Rib?
Up to £4,820 can be awarded for rib fractures or soft tissue injuries thatcause serious pain and disability over a period of weeks, according to the Judicial College Guidelines. However, your rib injury compensation may be considerably higher if you suffered severe organ damage, multiple injuries, and had significant related expenses.
How Long Does It Take For A Rib Injury To Heal?
According to the NHS, a broken or bruised rib injury usually takes 2-6 weeks to heal. However, more severe rib and chest injuries may take longer.
What Is The Difference Between A Bruised Rib And A Broken Rib?
The difference between a bruised rib and a broken rib is that the former involves bruising to the bone and surrounding soft tissue, whereas the latter is an actual bone fracture. Both are often very painful and can be included in a rib injury compensation claim.
Can I Still Claim For A Rib Injury If I Was Partially At Fault?
Yes, you certainly can claim for a rib injury if you were partially at fault for the accident itself or the harm. The amount of compensation awarded in these types of claims is determined by your level of responsibility on the basis of split liability (contributing to the accident) or contributory negligence (contributing to the injury).
How Long Will My Rib Injury Claim Take?
There are no set rules for how long your rib injury claim will take, as it may be settled in a matter of months if it is straightforward with undisputed liability and clear evidence. However, more complex claims involving multiple, severe injuries or uncertain liability may take longer.
More Information
For more information on personal injury claims and rib injuries, you can access the links below.
- Here are some FAQs on how to claim personal injury compensation
- Learn more about the personal injury claims process
- Information on accepting a personal injury offer without a solicitor
References:
- Use the NHS’s 111 service to get help with your symptoms
- Access your nearest urgent care service through this NHS page
- Find out if you might be entitled to statutory sick pay with this government overview
We appreciate you reading this guide, which discusses the rib injury claims process.