Broken Arm Compensation UK 2026 | How Much Can You Claim?

A broken arm can happen in a split second, but its effects often last far longer. Whether the fracture was caused by a road traffic accident, a fall at work, a trip on a poorly maintained pavement or a sporting or medical mishap, the pain, time off work and disruption to daily life can be considerable. If your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

This guide explains, in plain English, how broken arm compensation works in England and Wales in 2026: what a claim is worth, how payouts are calculated, the time limits that apply, and the steps involved in making a claim. It is written by the personal injury team at MCR Solicitors in Manchester. If you would prefer to talk it through with a solicitor, you can call us free on 0161 466 1280.

Can you claim compensation for a broken arm?

You can usually make a personal injury claim for a broken arm if two things are true:

Someone else was at fault (in whole or in part). Another person or organisation must have owed you a duty of care and breached it. Examples include a negligent driver, an employer who failed to provide a safe system of work, or an occupier who allowed a hazard to remain.
That breach caused your injury. There must be a clear link between the negligence and your broken arm.

You do not need to have been entirely blameless. Under the principle of contributory negligence, compensation can still be paid even if you were partly responsible, but your award may be reduced by the percentage you were at fault. For example, if you were found 25% to blame, a 100,000 pound award would reduce to 75,000 pounds.

How is broken arm compensation calculated?

Compensation in a personal injury claim is made up of two distinct parts. Understanding the difference matters, because the second part is often larger than people expect.

General damages: for pain, suffering and loss of amenity

General damages compensate you for the injury itself: the physical pain, the psychological impact, and the loss of your ability to do things you previously enjoyed (known as "loss of amenity"). These awards are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, the reference book judges and solicitors use to value injuries consistently, together with awards made in comparable past cases.

The Guidelines set out brackets for different levels of arm injury based on severity, degree of permanent disability, and impact on function. They are reviewed and updated periodically, and the figures are adjusted for inflation, so any amounts quoted online can quickly become out of date. As a general indication only, arm and forearm fractures range from a few thousand pounds for a straightforward fracture that heals well, up to six figures for the most serious injuries involving permanent and substantial disablement. The current bracket that applies to your case should always be confirmed against the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines.

Special damages: for your financial losses

Special damages reimburse the actual money the injury has cost you, past and future. This part of a claim is calculated from evidence such as payslips, receipts and invoices, and can include:

Lost earnings, including overtime, bonuses and lost pension contributions, for time off work during recovery.
Future loss of earnings if your ability to work, or to do your particular job, is permanently affected.
Medical and treatment costs, such as physiotherapy, private surgery, prescriptions, follow-up scans and, in some cases, future surgery like removal of metalwork.
Care and assistance, including the value of help provided by family and friends with washing, dressing, cooking and childcare while your arm was in a cast.
Travel costs to and from hospital and medical appointments.
Aids, equipment and adaptations needed at home during recovery.
Damaged property, such as clothing, a phone or a bicycle destroyed in the accident.

Because special damages are unique to your circumstances, two people with the same fracture can receive very different total settlements. Keeping receipts and a simple diary of your losses from the outset makes a real difference to the final figure.

What affects how much you can claim for a broken arm?

No two arm injuries are identical, and several factors influence the value of a claim:

The type and severity of the fracture. A simple, clean break that heals fully is valued very differently from a compound, comminuted or open fracture, or one requiring surgery, plates, pins or an external fixator.
Which bones are affected. Fractures of the humerus (upper arm), radius and ulna (forearm), elbow or wrist each carry their own considerations and can attract different valuations.
Whether it is your dominant arm. An injury to your dominant hand or arm typically has a greater impact on daily life and work.
Long-term effects. Ongoing pain, restricted movement, weakness, nerve damage, arthritis, visible scarring or a risk of future deterioration all increase the value of general damages.
Impact on work and hobbies. The extent to which the injury stops you working or doing the activities you enjoy.
Psychological impact. Anxiety, distress, travel phobia after a road accident, or a diagnosed condition such as PTSD can form part of the claim.
Your recovery. How completely and how quickly you recover, confirmed by an independent medical report.

Common causes of broken arm claims

Our personal injury team regularly handles broken arm claims arising from:

Road traffic accidents, including collisions involving cars, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Accidents at work, such as falls from height, being struck by falling objects, manual handling injuries and unsafe machinery, where an employer has breached its health and safety duties.
Slips, trips and falls on uneven pavements, in supermarkets, or in other public places where an occupier failed to keep the area reasonably safe.
Falls from ladders or scaffolding.
Sports and leisure injuries caused by faulty equipment or unsafe premises.
Medical negligence, for example a fracture that was missed on an X-ray or negligently treated, leading to a worse outcome.

What is the time limit for making a claim?

In England and Wales, the general time limit for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident, under the Limitation Act 1980. If you do not settle your claim or issue court proceedings within that period, you may lose the right to claim altogether. There are some important exceptions:

Children. For an injured child, the three-year clock does not start until their 18th birthday, so a claim can be brought at any time before they turn 21. Before then, a parent or guardian can act on the child's behalf.
People who lack mental capacity. Where an injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage their own claim, the time limit does not run for as long as that remains the case.
Date of knowledge. In some cases, such as certain medical negligence claims, the three years can run from the date you first knew (or should reasonably have known) that your injury was linked to negligence.

Even though three years can sound like a long time, it is always best to seek advice early, while evidence is fresh and witnesses can be traced. If you are close to a deadline, contact us straight away.

How the claims process works

Most broken arm claims never reach a courtroom; the majority settle by negotiation. A typical claim follows these stages:

Free initial assessment. We discuss what happened, check whether you have a valid claim, and explain how funding works.
Investigation and gathering evidence. We collect accident records, witness statements, photographs, CCTV, medical notes and proof of your financial losses.
Notifying the defendant. We formally set out your claim to the person or organisation at fault, or their insurer, who then has a set period to respond and say whether they admit liability.
Independent medical evidence. You are examined by an independent medical expert who reports on your injury, treatment and likely long-term prognosis. This report is central to valuing general damages.
Valuation and negotiation. We calculate the full value of your claim and negotiate with the other side to achieve the best possible settlement.
Court proceedings if necessary. If liability is denied or a fair offer is not made, we can issue court proceedings. Even then, cases often settle before any hearing.

If liability is admitted but your recovery is ongoing, we may be able to secure an interim payment, an advance on your compensation, to help with immediate costs and treatment before the claim is finalised.

Will my claim go through the small claims or official injury portal?

Lower-value claims are handled through streamlined processes. Road traffic accident soft-tissue claims are dealt with through the Official Injury Claim portal, and there are fixed small claims limits for the injury element of both road traffic and other personal injury claims. Many broken arm claims are worth more than these limits and so proceed as standard claims with full legal representation. The exact thresholds are set by the Government and can change, so we will confirm the correct route for your case at the outset. If you are unsure, it is worth speaking to a solicitor before using any portal, as the injury element of a fracture claim is frequently more valuable than people first assume.

No win no fee: how funding works

MCR Solicitors handles personal injury claims on a no win no fee basis, formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement. In simple terms:

You pay nothing upfront to start your claim.
If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not pay our fees.
If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from your compensation. By law this is capped at a maximum of 25% of certain heads of your damages.

We will explain the funding arrangement clearly and in writing before you commit to anything, including the role of any "after the event" insurance to protect you against the other side's costs. There are no hidden surprises.

Why choose MCR Solicitors?

Based in Manchester and acting for clients across England and Wales, MCR Solicitors has extensive experience in personal injury claims, including fractures and orthopaedic injuries. We take the time to understand how your injury has affected your life and your finances, we pursue every head of loss you are entitled to, and we keep you informed in plain language at every stage. Our aim is to secure the maximum compensation you are due while making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Frequently asked questions

How much compensation will I get for a broken arm in the UK?

There is no fixed figure. Your award depends on the severity of the fracture, whether it causes any lasting problems, and your financial losses. Straightforward fractures that heal well attract lower awards, while serious injuries with permanent disability can reach six figures. The pain-and-suffering element is guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, and your financial losses are added on top. The only reliable way to value your claim is to have the specific facts assessed, so it is worth speaking to a solicitor.

How long does a broken arm claim take?

It varies. A straightforward claim where fault is admitted and you make a good recovery might settle within a few months to around a year. More serious claims, or those where liability is disputed or your prognosis is not yet clear, can take longer, because it is important not to settle until the full, long-term impact of the injury is understood. Rushing to settle too early risks leaving you undercompensated.

Do I have to go to court for a broken arm claim?

Almost certainly not. The large majority of personal injury claims settle by negotiation without any court hearing. Court proceedings are sometimes issued to apply pressure or protect a time limit, but even then most cases settle before trial. If a hearing does become necessary, your solicitor will prepare and support you throughout.

Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes, you can often still claim. Under the rules on contributory negligence, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage you were responsible for, but you can still recover the balance. It is always worth getting advice rather than assuming you have no claim.

Is there a time limit to claim for a broken arm?

Yes. In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident to settle your claim or issue court proceedings. Different rules apply to children, whose time limit runs from their 18th birthday, and to people who lack mental capacity. Because evidence is easier to gather early, you should seek advice as soon as you can.

How do I start a broken arm compensation claim?

The simplest way is to speak to a personal injury solicitor for a free, no-obligation assessment of your case. You can call MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280. We will listen to what happened, tell you honestly whether you have a claim, explain no win no fee funding, and, if you wish to proceed, handle everything from there.

Speak to MCR Solicitors today

If you have suffered a broken arm because of someone else's negligence, you deserve straightforward advice and dedicated representation. Call the personal injury team at MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. There is no pressure and no upfront cost, just clear guidance on where you stand and what your claim could be worth.

Compensation for Broken Arm UK - How Much Can You Claim?