By Cat Reeves. Last Updated 21st April 2023. Have you suffered a bruised rib in an accident? Was the accident caused by the negligence of someone who owed you a duty of care? If so, you may be eligible to file a bruised ribs injury claim. Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Bruised Ribs Injury Claims Explained

Fractured ribs can be serious injuries and cause severe pain and suffering. The ribs act as a barrier to protect the lungs and heart from damage. If your ribs are cracked or broken, this could cause injury to these organs. In addition to this, a bruised rib could make it painful for you to breathe properly.

You may find that a bruised rib stops you from being able to do things that you normally would. In some cases, it may mean that you have to take some time off work. This could lead to you losing out on earnings. Claiming back compensation for your injuries could help to mitigate the impact that the injury has had on you.

Get In Touch With Our Team

Our friendly team of advisers are available 24/7 to provide free legal advice. They’d be happy to discuss your situation and learn more about how you suffered a rib injury. You’re not obliged to continue with our services after having a chat with an adviser.

However, if you’d like, an adviser can connect you with an expert personal injury solicitor from our panel if you have a valid claim. They can also assess how much compensation you may be eligible for in your bruised ribs injury claim.

You can contact our team of advisers by:

• Giving them a call on 020 3870 4868 to have a chat about your case.
• Filling out our claims form online to receive a response at your earliest convenience.
• Talking with one of our advisers through our live chat pop-up box for a reply instantly.

Services And Information

1. Everything You Need To Know About Bruised Ribs Injury Claims
2. What Is A Bruised Ribs Injury?
3. Bruised Ribs vs Broken Ribs
4. How Serious Are Bruised Rib Injuries?
5. What Could Cause A Bruised Rib Injury?
6. Bruised Ribs Injury Claim Compensation Calculator
7. Symptoms Of Bruised Ribs
8. Diagnosing And Treating Bruised Ribs
9. Time Limits To Begin A Bruised Rib Injury Claim
10. Bruised Ribs Compensation – Evidence You’ll Need To Claim
11. Making A Bruised Ribs Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
12. Useful Pages
13. FAQs About Bruised Ribs Injury Claims

Everything You Need To Know About Bruised Ribs Injury Claims

This article will look at what a bruised rib injury is and the difference between bruised ribs and broken ribs. Next, we will discuss how serious bruised rib injuries are and what could cause them. There will also be a section with a compensation table to show how much compensation some chest injuries may be worth.

Next, the guide will inform you of the symptoms of bruised ribs and how these types of rib injuries are diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, there’ll be a section talking about the personal injury claims time limits, so you know how long you have left to start a bruised ribs injury claim.

Additionally, this guide will offer advice about what steps you can take after suffering a rib cage injury. This will be followed by an explanation of what a No Win No Fee agreement is and how it could help you fund legal representation.

We’ll also include links to some additional guides to ensure you have as much information about a bruised ribs injury claim as possible. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about claims and injuries of this nature.

What Is A Bruised Ribs Injury?

Broken or bruised ribs are often painful and could cause discomfort when breathing, talking and laughing. You may also notice some bruising or swelling on the skin in the affected area.

Bruised and broken ribs are often left to heal on their own without any specific intervention. This is because it’s not possible to splint a rib or put it in plaster, meaning that leaving it to heal naturally.

Although statistics regarding chest injuries, in general, aren’t readily available to the public, workplace injuries to torso locations are. We can look at these statistics to get an idea of how common bruised rib injuries are in the workplace.

The below graph shows statistics taken from the Health and Safety Executive. It shows the number of non-fatal injuries to employees in torso locations in Great Britain in 2019/20.

The highest number of workplace injuries affected the back, with 9,514 injuries to the back being recorded in this timeframe. The neck has the least number of injuries at 1,199. These statistics only include the number of workplace injuries reported to RIDDOR.

Bruised Ribs vs Broken Ribs

Broken ribs and bruised ribs have some fundamental differences. A bruised rib is a contusion on the rib, where a broken rib means that the bone has been fractured. However, these kinds of injuries are also similar in many ways.

They’re often caused by the same kinds of accidents, which can include things like a fall or a blow to the chest. However, sometimes severe coughing could cause someone to bruise or break their rib.

If your rib is broken, then you may notice a “cracking” sound at the time of the injury. Because bruised and broken ribs are treated the same way, an X-ray will usually not be performed when you seek medical attention for your injuries.

How Serious Are Bruised Rib Injuries?

As the ribs protect two vital organs (the heart and lungs) from being damaged, a bruised rib injury can be dangerous. The following symptoms could indicate that your lungs, spleen or liver have been damaged by a broken rib:

• Worsening shortness of breath
• Worsening chest pain
• Abdomen or shoulder pain
• Blood when you cough

Because a bruised or broken rib can cause you pain when breathing and coughing, it can lead to a build-up of mucus in your lungs if you cannot clear them properly. This could lead to a chest infection that might require antibiotics.

If you’ve suffered a rib injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can contact our team of advisers today to receive free legal advice. If you have a legitimate claim, an adviser can connect you to s personal injury lawyer from our panel to begin a bruised ribs injury claim.

What Could Cause A Bruised Rib Injury?

In this section, we will look at some potential accidents that could cause a bruised rib injury.

Slips Trips And Falls

Slips, trips and falls are one possible cause of bruised ribs. An example of how this could occur in a public place due to someone’s negligence is if you slipped on a wet floor in a supermarket where there was no wet floor sign. This could cause you to slip onto your front and bruise or break your ribs.

The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that the person in control of a public space (referred to as “the occupier”) has a duty of care to keep the space safe for the public to use. If they fail to do this, this is an example of negligence.

If the injury that you sustained happened because the occupier of a public space breached their duty of care towards you, then you could make a bruised ribs injury claim. Please speak to our team today to find out more.

Road Traffic Accidents

A cars steering wheel is typically at chest level. This means that, in an accident, the rib area could hit the steering wheel with some force. If you’re injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to make a car accident claim.

The Highway Code outlines the things that road users should do to keep themselves and others on the road safe. This includes things like:

• Paying attention to road markings and signs
• Following the speed limit
• Keeping a safe stopping distance from the driver in front
• Alerting other road users of your intentions through things like indicating and road positioning

If another driver fails to do any of the above, this could be an example of them breaching their duty of care. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by their negligence, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

Accidents At Work

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states that employers have a duty of care to keep employees safe from harm. They are expected to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of those they employ.

This duty of care includes things like:

• Carrying out risk assessments
• Maintaining good housekeeping
• Ensuring that all equipment used is safe and well-maintained
• Provide appropriate supervision and training

An example of an accident at work that could cause a bruised rib injury is if an employee crashed a forklift truck after being asked to drive it but not being trained to do so. If they injured their rib in this collision, this could mean that they’re entitled to compensation.

Bruised Ribs Injury Claim Compensation Calculator 

The amount of compensation awarded in a bruised ribs injury claim may be made up of general damages and special damages.

The compensation awarded for the injury itself and the physical and psychological impact it’s had on your life is known as general damages. The general damages head of your claim will be valued with the help of an independent medical assessment.

Here, it will be confirmed by an expert that your injuries were caused by the accident you were involved in. They will detail their findings and prognosis in a report which will be used with the help of guidelines from the Judicial College to value your claim.

The compensation awarded for financial loss is known as special damages. An example of financial loss is suffering a loss of earnings due to taking time off work for your injury to heal. Another example could be paying out of pocket for bus tickets to travel to and from medical appointments.

How much compensation could I be owed?

Below, we have included a table to show some potential compensation awards that could be made. The figures in this table are based on the Judicial College Guidelines. The table only covers general damages, however. It doesn’t include potential payments for special damages.

Edit

Injury:	Notes:	Compensation:
Chest Injuries	One lung will be removed and serious heart damage will be present. The injured person will experience pain and suffering and severe scarring.	£100,670 to £150,110
Chest Injuries	Rib fractures or soft tissue injuries causing significant pain and disability for a number of weeks.	Up to £3,950
Back Injuries	Nerve roots and spinal cord damage resulting in severe complications. The bowel, bladder, and sexual function will be impacted. Severe pain and suffering.	£85,470 to £151,070
Back Injuries	Lumbar vertebrae fracture resulting in constant pain and osteoarthritis.	£27,760 to £38,780
Shoulder Injuries	Severe disability due to brachial plexus injury resulting in significant neck pain.	£12,770 to £19,200
Shoulder Injuries	Difficulty moving frozen shoulder for up to two years.	£7,890 to £12,770

You can get in touch with our friendly team of advisers today to have a chat about your situation. They can also offer free legal advice and assess how much compensation you may be owed. If you have a valid claim, they can connect you to a personal injury solicitor from our panel to discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you.

Symptoms Of Bruised Ribs

Here are some common symptoms of bruised ribs:

• Tenderness and swelling of the rib area
• Bruising of the rib area
• Pain when breathing in
• Pain when coughing

If you experienced a popping or cracking sound when the injury happened, then this could indicate that your rib was fractured. A fractured rib could injure one of your internal organs, like your lungs or spleen. If you are coughing up blood, your symptoms are worsening, or you have pain in your stomach or shoulder, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Because a bruised rib can cause pain while breathing or coughing, it might stop you from being able to clear your lungs properly. If you’re coughing up yellow or green mucus, or if you have a very high temperature, you might have a chest infection that needs antibiotics.

If you’ve suffered a bruised or fractured rib injury because someone neglected their duty of care towards you, you can contact our team of advisers to chat about your situation. They’ll be able to offer you free legal advice about the claims process.

Diagnosing And Treating Bruised Ribs

If you suspect you’re suffering bruised ribs, it’s recommended you seek medical attention. This is because your doctor may be able to advise you about what to do as your recover. They may also be able to help you with pain management.

The first thing the doctor will likely do is conduct a physical examination. During this, they’ll touch your ribs lightly to see if the bones feel out of place and to check how much pain you’re in. They also may listen to your lungs to check how your breathing is and inspect the way your rib cage moves as you breathe. Often, when diagnosing a bruised rib, there is no need for an X-ray.

The ribcage can’t be supported or held in place by a splint or cast like other kinds of bone fractures. For this reason, they’re often left to heal on their own. Your doctor will advise you about what kinds of things you can or cannot do as your bruised rib heals. An injury of this nature will usually recover within 3 to 6 weeks.

Time Limits To Begin A Bruised Rib Injury Claim

There is a general three-year time limit to pursue a personal injury claim. This means you have three years from the date of your injury to start a bruised ribs injury claim.

If someone isn’t legally able to represent themselves when making a claim (for example, if they’re under the age of 18 or lack the mental capacity to do so), then a litigation friend can pursue a claim on their behalf. This is a person who represents the claimant over the course of their claim. While a litigation friend is able to claim, the time limit is suspended.

It begins again if the person becomes able to pursue their own claim. For example, once a claimant turns 18, they have until their 21st birthday to make their own claim. If someone without the mental capacity to claim regains their mental capacity, they have 3 years from the date of recovery to claim. Otherwise, the time limit is indefinitely suspended.

If you’d like to discuss the time limits further or seek free legal advice about your bruised ribs, you can contact our team of advisers. They’re always available to lend a helping hand and assess how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.

Bruised Ribs Compensation – Evidence You’ll Need To Claim

One important step in the bruised ribs compensation claims process is collecting evidence. One of the benefits of using a solicitor to help you with your claim is that they can help you gather this evidence and can help ensure that all areas of your claim are covered. Evidence can help to prove liability, as well as the extent of your injuries and any financial losses they cause.

Some examples of evidence that you could use to strengthen a claim for bruised ribs include:

• Photographs: Pictures of your injuries and of the accident site could both be useful as evidence.
• Medical records: Your medical records can detail the severity of your injuries and the treatment that you need.
• Witness contact details: These help ensure that witness statements can be taken at a later date.
• CCTV footage: CCTV footage of your accident can help prove how it occurred and who is liable for your injuries.

To learn more about claiming compensation for bruised ribs and how evidence could benefit your claim, contact our team of advisors.

Making A Bruised Ribs Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis 

If you make a claim, you may be interested in working with a personal injury lawyer on a No Win No Fee basis. A No Win No Fee agreement is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement. This simply means you and your solicitor will sign a contract outlining what conditions they have to meet before receiving payment.

If your solicitor loses your case, you won’t have to pay their fees. If they win your case, they will take a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation. This percentage is referred to as a “success fee“. It will be agreed upon beforehand, and you will always receive the majority of your compensation.

Our panel of personal injury lawyers are happy to work with claimants on a No Win No Fee basis. If you’d like to discuss this further, you can contact our team of advisers to discuss your specific circumstances and how much compensation you may be owed.

If you have a legitimate case, they can connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our panel to begin your bruised ribs injury claim. You can get in touch with our friendly team of advisers via:

• Telephone on 020 3870 4868 to have a chat about your situation.
• Our online claims form where you will receive a response at your nearest convenience.
• Our instant live chat pop-up box to receive an immediate response.

Useful Pages

What Are My Rights After An Accident At Work In The UK? – If you’ve suffered a workplace accident that wasn’t your fault, our article explores how you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

An Employer’s Responsibilities Following a Workplace Accident – If you’re wondering what responsibilities an employer has after an employee has suffered an accident t work, our guide includes helpful information.

Can You Sue Your Employer While Still Working For Them? – If you’ve been injured at work due to your employer’s negligence, our article looks at whether you can sue your employer whilst still working for them.

Pneumonia – Bruised or fractured rib injuries can cause pneumonia if you find it difficult to breathe for a long period of time. This NHS guide includes important information about pneumonia.

Rib Fractures and Chest Injury – This NHS guide includes information about fractured ribs, a fractured sternum (breastbone), and chest wall bruising.

Rib Injury Advice – This NHS guide provides recommended breathing exercises and treatment advice.

FAQs About Bruised Ribs Injury Claims

Can you claim for bruised ribs?

If your bruised ribs occurred due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. You can get in touch with our team of advisers whenever you’re available to discuss this further. They’d be happy to help.

How much is a rib injury worth?

Each rib injury is different and receives varying amounts of compensation depending on the circumstances. For a free assessment of how much compensation you may be owed, you can chat with our team of advisers.

Is a bruised rib an injury?

Yes. A bruised rib is an injury that can be sustained in road traffic accidents, slips, trips and falls, or even because of severe coughing.

Thank you for reading our guide on making a bruised ribs injury claim. 

Writer HL

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