Legs and Knees

Knee Injuries

Modest injuries (£4,000 - £12,000) Includes twisting, bruising and lacerations as well as torn cartilage, dislocation or meniscus where a virtually full recovery is made quickly. Moderate injuries (£11,000 - £23,000) includes torn cartilage, dislocation, meniscus or the worsening of a pre-existing condition which results in ongoing symptoms such as instability, weakness or muscle wasting. Less  Severe injuries (£22,900 - £38,000) causing ongoing symptoms such as pain, discomfort, loss of movement, instability or deformity, which may lead to corrective surgery in the future. Fracture extending into knee joint (£45,700 - £61,000) will result in a great deal of pain, reduced movement and increasing the risk of osteoarthritis or an arthroplasty. Serious injuries (£61,000  - £84,300) where there has been a disruption of the joint and ligamentous damage needing lengthy treatment including arthroplasty or arthodesis and resulting in severe pain, loss of movement and osteoarthritis.

Leg Injuries

Less serious injuries (£1,000 - £24,300) are simple fractures, soft tissue damage, laceration or bruising where a reasonable recovery can be made in a few months. Compensation towards the top of the band will be awarded when there is permanent damage such as a defective gait or limp, loss of movement, loss of sensation or worsening of a pre-existing disability. Moderate injuries (£24,300 - £34,300) include complicated or multiple fractures and severe crushing, usually to one limb. Serious injuries (£34,300 - £48,000) have a lengthy treatment and recovery period and can result in instability, scarring and high risk of arthritis.  Very serious injuries (£48,000 - £74,000) will cause permanent problems with movement and result in prolonged treatment, life-long use of mobility aids, severe deformity or development of arthritis requiring surgery.  Severe injuries (£84,000 - £119,200) short of amputation such as extensive degloving of the leg causing shortening or fractures that require extensive bone grafts. 

Amputations

Below knee amputation of one leg (£85,900 - £116,500) awards will be based on the nature of the amputation, with traumatic amputation or following unsuccessful surgeries to save the leg receiving higher compensation, as well as ongoing issues such as phantom pains, osteoarthritis, psychological impact and if a prosthetic can be successfully used.  Above knee amputation of one leg (£91,900 - £120,500) compensation will vary based on the level of the amputation as well as ongoing issues such as phantom pains, psychological impact, if a prosthetic can be successfully used, backache and risk of osteoarthritis. Below knee amputation of both legs (£176,600 - £236,800) awards will be take into account the level of the amputation as well as ongoing issues such as phantom pains, psychological impact, if a prosthetic can be successfully used, backache and risk of degenerative damage to spine, hips and remaining joints. Loss of both legs (£211,000 - £247,200) where either both legs are amputated above the knee or where one leg has been lost above and the other leg below the knee. Compensation will take into account ongoing issues such as phantom pains, psychological impact, if a prosthetic can be successfully used, backache and risk of degenerative damage to spine, hips and remaining joints.