Chest Injury Claims

If you’ve been injured in the chest through no fault of your own, why should you have to pay rehabilitation costs out of your own pocket, or live with the pain and suffering because of someone else’s negligence?

You have every right to seek chest injury compensation to help you get back on your feet and back on with your life. The money you receive will help you recover and get back to everyday life, but securing compensation for a chest injury can often seem like a gauntlet full of lawyers and negotiations.

If you’re unsure whether you’re entitled to bring a chest injury claim, call X today and speak to a trained legal advisor for free. They will listen to your story and can help determine whether you’re eligible for compensation. If they believe you have a claim, they will pass your details onto a specialist personal injury lawyer who will take your case on a no win no fee basis.

Injuries to the chest can occur due to impact or illness, and the two distinctions are important. While the chest is one of the most active body parts, it’s also quite fragile, so any injuries can cause long-term complications, even reduce life expectancy.

The most common causes of chest injury claims usually occur in the workplace or during road traffic accidents, where blunt traumatic injury can result in multiple injuries including a collapsed lung, soft tissue damage, reduced lung function, even a heart injury.

Car drivers and motorcyclists often suffer from rib damage due to the high impact of crashes. People working in construction and industrial environments can also be subject to accidents such as falling off ladders (fall from heights) or tripping over equipment.

Professionals who work with chemicals can also become sick, especially when exposed to asbestos and other hazardous substances that result in lung injuries.

Toxic fume inhalation can also occur with fire incidents, which often result in immediate and prolonged chest trauma.

There are plenty of situations where a chest injury can occur, but to be eligible to make a compensation claim, the other party has to be at fault.

Chest injuries can be minor or severe, depending on the situation. For example, general rib cage fractures will heal quickly, while other injuries can cause lifelong complications.

Here are the most common chest injuries.

Fractured ribs heal quickly but can cause severe pain and complications when the injury initially occurs. Any heavy impact, such as car crashes, falling off motorbikes and being hit with large objects.

The common symptoms of a rib cage injury include severe pain when trying to move around, trouble taking deep breaths, and a lack of sleep due to the discomfort rib injuries cause.

Penetrating injuries occur when something like a gun or knife pierces the skin. It can be the result of violent crime or happen due to an accident at work. Blunt force injuries occur when a heavy object, such as a table or equipment, hits the chest.

These injuries can be fatal, and people might need surgery. The sheer force of a blunt force chest injury can also cause issues to other body parts, such as the gallbladder.

Physiological injuries are common types of chest injury compensation claims and usually happen when a person suffers exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Asbestos-related diseases are the most common industrial injuries, and the toxic substance can increase a person’s risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

According to statistics, there were 2369 mesothelioma deaths in the UK in 2021, which shows that asbestos-related sickness is still common (Action On Asbestos).

However, other hazardous substances can cause COPD, emphysema and other severe lung and breathing conditions.

To find out if you’re eligible to make a chest injury claim, the first step is to speak to a free legal advice service at 0800 234 6438. They’ll be able to discuss your eligibility and put you in touch with a no win no fee solicitor.

After that, you can get the ball rolling on your claim and get the money you deserve. Here’s how the claims process works:

Personal injury solicitors specialising in no win no fee claims will be able to help you get compensation for broken ribs, injuries to your chest wall and any other illnesses caused by negligence.

These lawyers don’t charge fees unless you win the chest injury compensation claim, so there are no financial risks involved.

Evidence is central to claiming chest injury compensation because you must prove that the other party was negligent. The defendant will probably have insurance, and the company expects to see proper proof of negligence before offering compensation.

It’s always a good idea to gather evidence for the claim because everything will help. Typical forms of evidence include:

• Witnesses: Try to ask for the contact details of any witnesses, as this will benefit you when it comes to verifying your claim.
• Medical reports: If you received treatment for your injuries, it’s essential to give your lawyer access to your medical records so they can present the evidence to the insurance company.
• Report forms: Accidents at work must be recorded, so you should also ask for copies of the report forms.
• Photographs: Most injuries fade with time, so taking pictures when they occur is an excellent way to prove how they impacted your life.
• Expenses: Whether it’s transport to the hospital or paying for extra care, your financial records could define how much money you receive.

Most claimants will deal with insurance companies, but it depends on the nature of the incident and where it occurred. In most cases, the claim will go smoothly, but some personal injury claims take longer to settle when both parties fail to reach an agreement.

You might have to attend court, but both parties will want to avoid it. If you can prove your injuries and attend a medical assessment, your lawyer can negotiate for the maximum compensation you could receive.

Once you settle your claim, your lawyer will take their fees, and you’ll be able to use the money for private medical expenses, adjustments to your home or anything else that will make your life easier.

If you’d like to get the ball rolling and claim compensation, call 0800 234 6438 and discuss your eligibility. You can also use the online form and request a free callback from a specialist legal advisor.

The compensation you’ll get depends on the extent of your injury and how it impacts your life. For example, you’ll receive less for a broken rib or cracked ribs than for an asbestos-related illness.

Aside from general damages, the lawyer will also take special costs into account, including:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of earnings
• Loss of a salary (if the person is deceased)
• Adjustments to properties or cars

While there’s no definitive figure, the following amounts should give you a guideline of what you could receive: 

• Minor rib fractures and tissue damage: £3950.
• Collapsed lungs, with full recovery: £2190 to £5320.
• Inhalation of toxic fumes or smoke with some damage: £5320 to £12590.
• Minor injuries to the chest cavity, lungs and ribs: £12,590 to £17,960.
• Traumatic injuries to the chest and lungs that cause mild disability: £31,310 to £54,830.
• Any injuries that cause long-term damage and disability: £65,740 to £100,670.
• Permanent damage involves the heart of the removal of one lung: £100,670 to £150,110.

A compensation calculator will give you an estimate if you’d like to find out how much you could claim. However, it’s best to speak to a legal advisor, too, as they’ll now be able to tell you based on your personal circumstances.

The time limit associated with chest injury compensation claims depends on whether you were in an accident or developed an illness.

As with most claims, you’ll have three years from the date of the accident, but if an injury to the chest results from harmful substances, hazardous toxins or smoke, then you’ll have longer to make a claim.

The ‘date of knowledge’ rule applies here, as people might not receive a diagnosis until years after the original injury. In cases like this, you’ll have three years to claim compensation, but it’s crucial to begin the claim ASAP, as it can take some time to resolve.

Children can claim from the time they turn 18 years old, and people can file for compensation on behalf of a family member should they die due to the incident.

It’s perfectly normal for people to worry about making a chest injury claim against their employer, but the system is in place to protect you should your workplace let you down.

Chest injuries are avoidable, and if your employer fails to protect you, that could result in long-term injuries or chronic lung disease, so it’s worth claiming to stop it from happening to anyone else.

To find out more about how to claim compensation, call 0800 234 6438 and discuss your eligibility. You can also use the online form and request a free callback from a specialist legal advisor.