Ankles, Feet, Toes

Summary

  • Ankles – £11,000 – £58,000
  • Achilles Tendon – £6,000 – £32,000
  • Feet – £11,000 – £168,000
  • Toes – £8,000 – £46,000

Ankles

Modest injuries (£11,000) are less serious fractures or sprains where recovery is expected.  Moderate injuries (£11,000 – £22,000) include fractures and tears which will result in difficulty climbing stairs, walking and standing still – usually companied by an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the future. Severe injuries (£26,000 – £41,000) typically involve time in plaster but in some cases pins and plates may have to be inserted, causing difficulty walking and a lengthy recovery period. Very severe injuries (£41,000 – £58,000) include cases of transmalleolar fracture with extensive soft tissue damage increasing the risk of a below knee amputation should further injury occur in the future. Such injuries can also cause premature degeneration of the joints.

Achilles Tendon

Minor injuries (£6,000 – £10,000) results in damage to the tendon leading to a feeling of weak ankle support.  Moderate injuries (£10,000 – £17,000) will have caused significant damage to the tendon which can result in ongoing pain, disability and permanent scarring. Serious injuries (£20,000 – £25,000) are those where the tendon has been repaired but a full recovery is not expected leaving the injured person with continued weakness, limited ankle movement, a limp and scarring. Most serious injuries (£32,000) include severance of the tendon and the peroneus longus muscle which will cause cramp, swelling and restrictive ankle movement. As a result the injured person will no longer be able to play sports.

Feet

Modest injuries (£11,000) are simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments and puncture wounds. A near or complete recovery is generally expected, however in some cases, there are ongoing symptoms such as a permanent limp, pain or aching. Moderate injuries (£11,000 – £20,000) include displaced metatarsal fractures that result in a permanent disability and increases the risk of long-term osteoarthritis. Surgery in the future may also be possible. Serious injuries (£20,000 – £32,000) result in permanent pain and restricted mobility which can leave the injured person with an inability to wear ordinary shoes. Very severe injuries (£70,000 – £91,000) include amputation of the forefoot, worsening of an existing back injury and loss of a large section of the heel causing permanent pain and disability.  Amputation of one foot (£70,000 – £91,000) and amputation of both feet (£141,000 – £168,000) are both treated in a similar way to below-knee amputations (see “Legs and Knees”) due to the loss of the ankle joint.

Toes

Moderate injuries (£8,000) include straightforward fractures or worsening of a pre-existing injury to one or more toes. Recovery is generally expected, however in some cases surgery may be required resulting in long term discomfort and permanent scarring. Serious injuries (£8,000 – £11,000) are defined as damage to the big toe but this can also be fractures to two or more smaller toes resulting in permanent discomfort, pain or scarring. Severe injuries (£11,000 – £17,000) include bursting wounds and injuries which will cause ongoing symptoms. They can also lead to full or partial amputation of one or more toes, with exception to amputation of the great toe (£26,000). The amount of compensation for amputation of all toes (£30,000 – £46,000) depends upon the extend of loss and whether amputation was carried out surgically or traumatically.

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

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