Broken Foot Compensation Amounts
Foot fractures are common in UK personal injury claims — from dropped objects at work, falls from height producing heel fractures, road accidents involving pedestrians and motorcyclists, and slips and trips. The Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition) value broken foot cases under the wider foot injury brackets, with figures ranging from modest amounts for simple metatarsal fractures with full recovery through to substantial compensation for catastrophic crush injuries.
In this guide
- The Main Broken Foot Brackets
- Specific Fracture Types
- Factors That Move a Broken Foot Case Up or Down
- Special Damages in Broken Foot Claims
- Common Broken Foot Claim Scenarios
- Common Questions About Broken Foot Compensation
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide focuses on broken foot compensation amounts specifically. For the wider foot injury framework — including soft-tissue injuries, amputation, and chronic foot conditions — see our foot injury compensation amounts guide.
The Main Broken Foot Brackets
Very Severe Foot Injury — typically £83,000 to £109,000
Cases practically equivalent to amputation, with permanent severe pain and very limited function. Often involves catastrophic crush injuries with vascular and nerve damage.
Severe Foot Injury — typically £41,000 to £70,000
Fractures of both heels or both feet with substantial restriction on mobility and considerable pain. Cases involve:
- Calcaneus (heel bone) fractures with serious complications
- Lisfranc injuries (severe disruption of the midfoot)
- Multiple metatarsal fractures with poor outcomes
- Permanent restriction on walking distance and prolonged standing
- High risk of future osteoarthritis
Serious Foot Injury — typically £30,000 to £41,000
Continuing pain from traumatic arthritis, prolonged treatment, and likely future surgery. Substantial restriction on walking and standing.
Moderate Foot Injury — typically £14,000 to £25,000
Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in:
- Permanent deformity
- Continuing symptoms over a long period
- Restricted ability to walk long distances
- Difficulty with stairs and uneven surfaces
- Some impact on choice of footwear
Modest Foot Injury — typically up to £14,000
Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments, puncture wounds, and similar injuries with full or near-full recovery. Within this bracket valuation depends on recovery time, surgical fixation, and any residual symptoms.
Specific Fracture Types
Metatarsal Fractures
The metatarsals are the long bones running along the middle of the foot. Common patterns:
- Fifth metatarsal (outside foot) fractures — common from twisting injuries and direct trauma. Single fracture with full recovery — typically £3,000 to £8,000
- Jones fracture — specific fifth metatarsal fracture, notoriously slow to heal. Typically £6,000 to £14,000 depending on outcome
- Stress fractures — common in runners and military personnel, attract more modest compensation unless preventable
- Multiple metatarsal fractures — typically £10,000 to £25,000 depending on severity and outcome
Calcaneus (Heel Bone) Fractures
Calcaneus fractures — typically from falls from height — are notoriously difficult to treat and often produce lifelong consequences:
- Simple closed calcaneus fracture with good outcome — typically £14,000 to £25,000
- Calcaneus fracture with subtalar joint involvement — typically £25,000 to £45,000
- Bilateral calcaneus fractures from falls from height — typically £41,000 to £70,000 (Severe bracket)
- Calcaneus fractures with chronic pain and future fusion need — moves up the bracket significantly
Workplace falls from height producing calcaneus fractures typically generate strong claims under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 — see our falls from height compensation claims guide.
Lisfranc Injuries
Lisfranc injuries — disruption of the midfoot joint complex — are often missed at initial assessment. Common features:
- Often initially misdiagnosed as “sprain” on first attendance
- Require surgical fixation when properly diagnosed
- Chronic pain common even with proper treatment
- High risk of midfoot osteoarthritis
Missed Lisfranc injuries can give rise to both a personal injury claim against the original cause and a medical negligence claim against any doctor who missed the diagnosis.
Toe Fractures
Toe fractures are valued separately under their own brackets — see our foot injury compensation amounts guide for the detail. Summary:
- Simple toe fracture with full recovery — typically up to £9,500
- Severe toe fracture with permanent deformity — typically £9,500 to £21,000
- Big toe fractures attract higher figures because of greater functional importance
Factors That Move a Broken Foot Case Up or Down
- Number of bones fractured — multiple metatarsal fractures attract substantially higher compensation than single
- Articular involvement — fractures extending into joints (subtalar, ankle, midfoot) produce higher figures
- Need for surgery — particularly fixation, fusion, or revision
- Risk of future osteoarthritis — particularly relevant for intra-articular fractures
- Bilateral vs single foot — bilateral fractures move cases up substantially
- Impact on occupation — particularly relevant for trades requiring extensive walking or standing
- Restriction on footwear choice — recognised loss of amenity element
- Need for permanent orthotics
- Risk of chronic pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Age of the claimant — younger claimants attract higher figures
Special Damages in Broken Foot Claims
Lost Earnings
Foot fracture absence is typically 8 to 12 weeks for non-weight-bearing trades; longer for jobs requiring extensive walking, climbing, or standing (construction, retail, hospitality, nursing). Future loss of earnings can apply where return to previous occupation is prevented.
Treatment Costs
- Surgical fixation, fusion, or revision
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Pain management programmes
- Custom orthotics and footwear
- Future revision surgeries
Aids and Equipment
- Walking aids — crutches, sticks, walking frames
- Wheelchairs (for non-weight-bearing periods)
- Custom footwear and orthotic insoles
- Mobility scooters for severe cases
Common Broken Foot Claim Scenarios
- Falls from height — particularly producing calcaneus and Lisfranc injuries. See our falls from height claims guide
- Dropped objects at work — particularly common in warehouses, construction, retail
- Workplace machinery — crush injuries from forklifts, vehicles, factory equipment
- Road traffic accidents — particularly motorcycle and pedestrian impacts
- Slips and trips — particularly producing metatarsal and ankle-extension fractures. See our slips and falls hub
- Sports injuries — only where another party was at fault
Common Questions About Broken Foot Compensation
I broke my fifth metatarsal at work. How much could I claim?
A simple fifth metatarsal fracture with full recovery typically attracts £3,000 to £8,000 in general damages. The valuation depends on recovery time, need for fixation, and any residual symptoms. Special damages for time off work and any private treatment add to this. The workplace claim itself depends on whether the employer breached health and safety duties — see our workplace accident claims hub.
I fell from a ladder and broke my heel. What is that worth?
Calcaneus fractures from falls are usually substantial. Simple cases with good outcome typically attract £14,000 to £25,000 in general damages. Cases with subtalar joint involvement, chronic pain, or future fusion needs typically attract £25,000 to £45,000. Bilateral calcaneus fractures move into the Severe bracket (£41,000 to £70,000). Workplace falls from height usually succeed where the Work at Height Regulations 2005 were breached — see our falls from height claims guide.
My foot fracture was missed at A&E for 3 weeks. Is that a claim?
Possibly two claims. First, the original cause of the fracture (whoever was responsible for the accident). Second, a medical negligence claim against the hospital for the missed diagnosis — particularly where the delayed treatment made the outcome worse. Missed Lisfranc injuries are a well-recognised category of A&E negligence. See our A&E negligence claims guide.
My broken foot has caused chronic pain (CRPS). Does that affect the claim?
Substantially. Complex regional pain syndrome moves cases up the bracket significantly because of the lifelong impact on function and quality of life. A case that would normally attract Moderate (£14,000 to £25,000) with CRPS may move into Serious (£30,000 to £41,000) or higher. The medical expert documents the CRPS diagnosis and impact.
My broken toe is healing crooked. Is it worth claiming?
Yes, particularly for the big toe or multiple toes. Simple toe fracture with deformity typically attracts £4,000 to £9,500. Big toe fractures with deformity can attract £9,500 to £14,000+. The visibility and functional impact (gait abnormality, footwear restriction) both affect valuation.
How long does a broken foot claim take?
Simple cases typically settle within 9 to 18 months. Cases involving surgery, chronic symptoms, or risk of future arthritis can take 18 months to 3 years. Severe cases involving CRPS or future fusion needs can take 2 to 4 years because the long-term position needs to stabilise. See our how long does a claim take guide.
Related Guides
Compensation by Injury Type | UK Payout Amounts
Foot Injury Compensation Amounts
Ankle Injury Compensation Amounts
Leg Injury Compensation Amounts
Broken Leg Compensation Amounts
Falls from Height Compensation Claims
How Much Compensation for Personal Injury?
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