If you’ve suffered a crush injury or multiple fractures at work, you may be entitled to compensation. This guide explains your rights, the steps to take, how compensation is calculated under the Judicial College Guidelines, and how National Claims can help you move fast and maximise your outcome.
Featured summary: Crush injuries and multiple fractures at work can lead to long recoveries, lost earnings and lasting disability. You can claim compensation for pain, suffering, earnings loss, treatment and care. Report the accident, get medical evidence and contact National Claims to begin your claim on a no win, no fee basis.
Why crush injuries and multiple fractures need urgent action
Crush trauma and multi-fracture cases are among the most serious workplace accidents. They often involve heavy machinery, defective equipment, warehouse vehicles, collapsing stock, or falls from height. Research and official data show the human and economic cost is significant: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates £22.9 billion as the cost of work-related injuries and ill-health in 2023/24, with tens of millions of working days lost each year.
Work accidents causing specified serious injuries (including fractures and amputations) must be reported under RIDDOR. Employers are legally obliged to report these incidents to the HSE.
Do I have a claim?
You may have a valid claim if:
- Your injury happened at work or in the course of your employment.
- The accident was caused by employer negligence (unsafe systems, poor training, missing guards, lack of PPE) or another party’s fault (e.g., contractors).
- The incident occurred within the usual three-year limitation period (some exceptions apply, e.g., for children or lack of capacity).
Common scenarios:
- Pallet racking collapse crushing the lower limbs.
- Conveyor or press entrapment causing hand crush injuries.
- Forklift or pallet truck collisions causing multiple fractures.
- Falls from height leading to polytrauma.
Tip: Even if you think you were partly at fault, you may still recover compensation on a “contributory negligence” basis.
What to do immediately after the accident
- Get medical help now. Emergency treatment comes first. Follow clinical guidance through your GP/A&E or specialist trauma services. (See NHS advice for head/serious injuries and red-flag symptoms.)
- Report it and record it. Ensure the accident is entered in the accident book and that any RIDDOR report is made where required.
- Gather evidence:
- Photos/videos of the scene, defects and guarding.
- Names of witnesses and contact details.
- Copies of training records, risk assessments, permits to work, maintenance logs.
- Keep a recovery diary. Track pain levels, mobility, medication, time off work and care provided by family or professionals.
- Contact National Claims. We’ll assess fault, preserve evidence and connect you with experienced solicitors for swift action.
What can I claim for?
A successful claim can include:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (valued with reference to the Judicial College Guidelines).
- Past and future loss of earnings (including overtime, bonuses and reduced earning capacity).
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation (surgery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support).
- Care and assistance (paid care or help given by family).
- Specialist equipment, home and vehicle adaptations.
- Travel and out-of-pocket expenses.
National Claims will help you evidence each head of loss and seek interim payments where liability is admitted, so treatment and bills don’t have to wait.
How compensation is calculated (JCG-guided)
Courts and negotiators use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to benchmark compensation for different injuries. The overall value then adds your financial losses on top. For crush injuries and multiple fractures, brackets vary with severity, treatment, surgery, lingering symptoms, impact on dexterity or mobility, and prognosis.
Below is an illustrative table of JCG-guided brackets frequently cited in serious work injury cases (figures are approximate ranges and for guidance only):
| Injury type (illustrative) | Indicative JCG-guided bracket* |
|---|---|
| Serious fractures to both forearms causing substantial disability | £39,000 – £60,000 |
| Severe crush injury to one hand with significant function loss | £55,000 – £96,000+ |
| Multiple fractures to one leg with impaired mobility and risk of future surgery | £30,000 – £60,000+ |
| Severe leg injuries short of amputation (extensive fractures/crush, prolonged treatment) | £100,000+ |
| Complex regional pain syndrome (where present) | Highly variable; can exceed £50,000 |
*Brackets based on the JCG (16th ed.) as used widely in UK personal injury practice and example summaries published by legal practitioners. For instance, serious forearm fracture brackets are commonly reported within £39,170–£59,860. Your precise valuation depends on age, occupation, complications, surgeries, scarring, psychological injury, and recovery trajectory.
Important: If your case involves multiple injuries (e.g., crushed hand and multiple fractures elsewhere), the valuation is not a simple add-up. Practitioners assess a global award reflecting overlaps and combined impact, then add your financial losses.
Proving employer fault (and common defences)
How we prove negligence:
- Breach of duty: Unsafe systems of work, missing guards, defective equipment, poor housekeeping, inadequate training/supervision.
- Causation: Expert evidence linking the breach to your injuries.
- Breach of regulations: References to PUWER, Work at Height, and reporting under RIDDOR help demonstrate systemic failures.
Typical employer arguments (and responses):
- “You were trained.” — Training must be adequate, current, and task-specific, with safe plant and supervision.
- “It was a freak accident.” — Risk assessments should identify foreseeable hazards like entrapment and falling loads.
- “You’re partly to blame.” — Even then, compensation may be reduced rather than denied; evidence matters.
Timelines and the claims journey
- Free assessment with National Claims. We’ll review merits and urgency (e.g., need for reconstruction surgery, hand therapy, or pain management).
- Pre-action steps: Letter of claim, disclosure requests (risk assessments, maintenance logs, training records), witness statements, surveillance where appropriate.
- Rehabilitation first: Early interim payments targeted at physiotherapy, orthotics, or psychological therapy.
- Medical evidence: Orthopaedic/hand surgery experts, pain specialists, and if needed, vocational and care experts to cost your future needs.
- Negotiation & settlement: Using your medical reports and JCG guidance, plus documented financial losses.
- Court proceedings (if required): Most claims settle before trial, but we’re ready to litigate firmly and efficiently.
Evidence that helps win serious injury claims
- Ambulance and A&E records; operation notes; imaging (X-ray/CT/MRI).
- Photos of wounds, hardware, scarring and at-home adaptations.
- Occupational therapy assessments showing care/equipment needs.
- Employer documents: induction and refresher training, job risk assessments, safe operating procedures, guarding/lock-off procedures, and RIDDOR references.
Frequently asked questions
1. How long do I have to claim?
In most cases, three years from the accident date or date of knowledge. For those lacking mental capacity, or for children, special rules apply.
2. Will I have to go to court?
Most claims settle after exchange of evidence and negotiations. We prepare thoroughly so you’re in the strongest position whether settling or proceeding.
3. Can I get private treatment while the case is ongoing?
Yes. Where appropriate, we’ll seek interim payments to fund surgery, physiotherapy, psychological support and vocational rehabilitation.
4. What if my injury is life-changing?
We build a full future-needs claim: long-term care, case management, prosthetics/orthotics if indicated, workplace adjustments, retraining, and pension loss.
Why choose National Claims?
Experts recommend instructing a specialist team early in crush and multi-fracture claims because early rehabilitation and evidence preservation can materially increase settlement value. With National Claims you get:
- Specialist serious-injury focus: We coordinate orthopaedic, hand, pain and vocational experts to quantify your true needs.
- JCG-guided valuations + full financial loss modelling: Clear, defensible numbers aimed at maximum recovery.
- Interim payments and rehabilitation first: We push for funding when you need it most.
- No win, no fee: See the statement below.
Mandatory costs statement: Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Quick compensation estimate (example only)
Below is a simple framework to help you think about potential value. Your claim may be higher or lower depending on medical evidence, recovery, job demands and care needs.
- General damages (JCG-guided) – see table above.
- Earnings loss: Multiply net weekly pay by weeks off work; include overtime/bonuses.
- Care & assistance: Hours per week × market rate (professional or family).
- Treatment & rehab: Surgery, physio, OT, pain programmes.
- Future losses: Reduced earning capacity, aids/equipment, home/vehicle adaptations, therapies.
Take the next step
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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