Calculating Achilles Tendon Settlements In The UK
Have you suffered an Achilles tendon injury due to someone else’s negligence? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. This guide will explore Achilles tendon settlements to assess how much compensation could be awarded.
The Achilles tendon is situated above the heel and stretches to the calf muscles. It allows us to comfortably walk and run. Evidently, not being able to walk can negatively impact our daily lives.
How Do You Calculate An Achilles Tendon Settlement?
You may have some questions about Achilles tendon settlements, such as:
- How do you diagnose an Achilles tendon injury?
- Can you still walk with a torn Achilles tendon?
- What does a partial Achilles tear feel like?
This article will answer any questions you may have about an Achilles tendon injury claim to ensure you have as much information as possible.
Get In Touch With Our Team
Our team of advisers are available 24/7 to answer your queries and offer free legal advice. They’d be happy to have a chat with you about your situation and assess how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
If your claim is favourable, they could connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers who can discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you.
You can get in touch with our friendly team of advisers by:
- Ringing them on 020 3870 4868 to receive free legal advice about your situation.
- Filling out our online claims form to receive a response at your nearest convenience.
- Talking with one of our advisers via our live chat pop-up box to receive a reply immediately.
Services And Information
- Everything You Need To Know About Achilles Tendon Settlements
- What Is An Achilles Tendon Injury?
- What Are The Symptoms Of An Achilles Tendon Injury?
- How Are Achilles Tendon Injuries Diagnosed?
- Treating An Achilles Tendon Injury
- Calculating Achilles Tendon Settlements
- Types Of Achilles Tendon Injury
- What Could Cause An Injured Achilles Tendon?
- Risk Factors
- Is There A Time Limit For Personal Injury Claims?
- I Suffered An Achilles Tendon Injury, What Should I Do?
- No Win No Fee Achilles Tendon Settlements
- Further Information
- FAQs About Achilles Tendon Settlements
Everything You Need To Know About Achilles Tendon Settlements
Firstly, this article will discuss what an Achilles tendon injury is and what symptoms may display according to the NHS.
Additionally, there’ll be an explanation of different types of Achilles tendon injury and what could cause them. There will also be a section showing the risk factors of this type of injury. Furthermore, the guide will inform you of the personal injury claims time limits you know how long you have left to claim.
Moreover, there’ll be a section about the steps you can take if you’ve suffered an Achilles injury. The guide will also explain what a No Win No Fee agreement is and whether our panel of personal injury lawyers work on this basis. Finally, there will be some further guides and answers to some frequently asked questions.
What Is An Achilles Tendon Injury?
Statistics of general Achilles tendon injuries aren’t readily available to the public. However, we can use RIDDOR statistics to look at how common ankle injuries are due to an accident at work.
The table below shows the number of non-fatal injuries to employees in Great Britain by the site of injury in 2014/15-2019/20. However, this is just the number of workplace injuries as reported by employers, so it doesn’t include injuries that didn’t get reported.
As you can see, ankle injuries are a fairly common injury, with 5,668 reported. On the other hand, one or more toes account for some of the least common injuries, with 835. However, this may be different when looking at accidents in a public place or car accident claims.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Achilles Tendon Injury?
According to the NHS, these are some symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury:
- Significant pain that worsens when you walk or run
- Pain across the back of your leg and near your ankle
- Swelling
- Felling hot to the touch
- Pain behind the ankle that is worse in the morning
If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect you may have an Achilles tendon injury, it’s recommended you seek medical attention as soon as you can. The sooner you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment, the sooner your injury will heal.
If you’d like to chat about your injury with our team of advisers, you can contact them today. They’d be happy to learn more about your situation and figure out what your next steps are. If your claim has strong grounds, they could connect you with our experienced panel of personal injury solicitors to explore Achilles tendon settlements with you.
How Are Achilles Tendon Injuries Diagnosed?
When you visit a medical professional about your ankle injury, the first thing they might do is ask questions about the cause of your injury and what symptoms you’re experiencing. If they suspect you have an Achilles tendon rupture, they may also perform a physical examination where they touch your calf or ankle to see if this causes you significant pain.
If they suspect you may have an Achilles tendon injury, they may perform an ultrasound to see if you’ve sustained a significant injury. An X-ray is unlikely to help in this instance as an Achilles tendon injury doesn’t always involve the bone.
The doctor may then confirm your diagnosis and begin telling you about your treatment plan. On the other hand, if it’s a significant injury, they may refer you to a specialist where you can receive more intricate treatment.
If you’ve suffered an Achilles tendon injury due to someone breaching the duty of care they owed you, you can contact our team of advisers today. They can offer you free expert advice and discuss Achilles tendon settlements.
Treating An Achilles Tendon Injury
According to the NHS, the first form of treatment is likely to be non-surgically to see how the tendon heals naturally. This will involve you wearing a special boot to keep your tendon in place and allow it to heal properly without getting worse.
You could also be treated through physiotherapy to encourage healthy movement in your foot whilst it heals. Symptoms usually take around 12-24 months to fully disappear, but you should be able to move your foot more comfortably at around 5-6 weeks.
Alternatively, if your tendon doesn’t begin recovering properly or it’s a severe injury, your doctor may recommend surgery. This will encourage your tendon to repair. Similar to the non-surgical root, you’ll likely have to wear a safety boot for protection whilst the tendon heals.
After surgery, the healing time of your tendon may be similar to the healing time of a tendon that isn’t operated on. Symptoms should fully subside within 1-2 years. If you feel you’ve suffered clinical negligence during your treatment, you can contact our team of advisers today to see if you’re eligible to make a medical negligence compensation claim.
Calculating Achilles Tendon Settlements
We’ve decided to include a compensation table in this guide rather than using a personal injury claims calculator. This is because it allows us to focus solely on ankle and foot injuries, providing a more detailed description.
The table below includes the latest figures from the Judicial College Guidelines to assess how much compensation some injuries could be awarded. This table is for example purposes only and figures may vary depending on specific circumstances.
Injury: | Notes: | Compensation: |
---|---|---|
Ankle Injuries | (a) Very Severe: Soft tissue injuries and a transmalleolar fracture that causes deformity. Also, a chance of below-knee amputation if the ankle is injured in the future. | £46,980 to £65,420 |
Ankle Injuries | (c) Moderate: The ankle has a ligamentous tear or is fractured and causes difficulty walking on uneven ground and other similar, small disabilities. | £12,900 to £24,950 |
Achilles Tendon | (a) Most Serious: Severe damage to the peroneus longus and the tendon. This causes swelling and cramps, and difficulty moving the ankle. | In the region of £36,060 |
Achilles Tendon | (c) Moderate: Severe injury or partial rupture to the tendon. | £11,820 to £19,770 |
Foot Injuries | (d) Severe: Both heels or feet fractured causing severe pain and issues with moving the foot. | £39,390 to £65,710 |
Foot Injuries | (e) Serious: Fractures of the heel or foot leading to arthritis, long-term treatment and risk of future surgery. | £23,460 to £36,790 |
The above table shows general damages. The awarded bracket is dependant on how severe the injury is and how long the treatment takes. The awarded compensation in a personal injury claim can be split into special damages and general damages.
General damages award compensation for the injury itself and how it has physically and mentally impacted your life. For example, you may suffer post-traumatic disorder due to the injury.
Special damages offer compensation for the financial ways that the injury has affected your life. For example, you may have experienced a loss of earnings due to having to take time off work. However, it may be harder to claim special damages without evidence.
An example of evidence you could provide in your claim is payslips to prove that you suffered a loss of earnings. You could also provide bus tickets to prove that you paid out of pocket to travel to and from medical appointments.
Types Of Achilles Tendon Injury
There are various types of Achilles tendon injuries, such as tendonitis. This could be caused by the tendon being used too much and overly damaged. You may notice sudden pain in the back of your leg and around the ankle area. Furthermore, the tendon may start to feel thicker and harder. It’s important to seek treatment for tendonitis as soon as possible so that it doesn’t become progressively worse.
Another type of Achilles injury is a rupture. This is when the tendon fibres are torn and causes a tear of your tendon. If you suspect you’ve ruptured your tendon, you should report to a medical professional as soon as possible.
If you’d like to explore Achilles tendon settlements, our team of advisers are available 24 hours a day to offer free legal advice and discuss your options. Our panel of personal injury lawyers are experienced in Achilles tendon settlements, so they can begin this process with you if an adviser believes your claim is favourable.
What Could Cause An Injured Achilles Tendon?
The NHS states that tendonitis can be caused by repetitive running, throwing or jumping. It can also be caused by a sharp, sudden movement. Moreover, it can be caused by poor posture when in the workplace or participating in sports activities.
If tendonitis is caused by repetitive movement or poor posture in the workplace, it’s often referred to as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This is when the same tendon or joint has been used in the same way for a long period of time, resulting in pain and stiffness.
Our team of advisers are always available to have a chat with you about your situation and discuss Achilles tendon settlements. If you have a legitimate claim, they can connect you with our expert panel of personal injury solicitors to explore No Win No Fee agreements with you and proceed with your Achilles tendon injury claim.
Risk Factors
Tendonitis and Achilles tendon injuries can’t always be prevented, but there are ways to lessen the chance of sustaining these conditions. For tendonitis, these are:
- Do warm-ups and stretches before participating in exercise, and ensure you stretch after exercising too.
- Take breaks regularly when playing sports or exercising.
- Don’t exercise if your muscles need rest.
- Avoid participating in the same exercises repeatedly.
- Seek training before starting a new sport and ensure you practice beforehand.
You can discuss Achilles tendon settlements with one of the advisers from our reliable team. They can offer you advice about your case and assess whether you may be able to make a personal injury claim. If so, they can connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers to discuss an Achilles tendon rupture settlement with you.
Is There A Time Limit For Personal Injury Claims?
Generally, there’s a three-year personal injury claims time limit for claimants to proceed with making a claim. This means you have three years from the exact date of the accident or three years from when you discovered that the injuries were someone else’s fault.
However, some circumstances may be different, such as:
- Child accident claims. If you’re under 18, the three-year personal injury claims time limit will commence on the day of your 18th birthday. However, someone you trust may be able to act as a litigation friend. This means that the claim can be made for you sooner and any awarded compensation will be placed in a trust which is only accessed if it’s in your best interest or when you turn 18.
- Mentally incapacitated claims. If you lack the mental capacity to pursue a personal injury claim, the three-year time limit will begin on the day you begin your recovery. Alternatively, a litigation friend could file the claim for you sooner than this if you’d prefer.
Our team of advisers are on hand 24/7 and can help you understand how to make a claim on behalf of someone else. They can answer any questions you may have and discuss Achilles tendon settlements with you. If your claim has solid grounds, they can then connect you to our panel of expert personal injury solicitors to begin the claims process with you.
I Suffered An Achilles Tendon Injury, What Should I Do?
If you suspect you may have suffered an Achilles tendon injury, the first thing it’s recommended you do is seek medical advice. Depending on the severity, you can ring 111, attend your GP practice, or report to A&E.
A medical professional can then perform an examination to assess the nature of your injury. They can offer you a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.
Moreover, your medical records can be used as a form of evidence during your personal injury claim. It can show the severity of the injury, the cause, and the length of your treatment.
After seeking medical attention, you can begin to gather the evidence you’d like to use in your claim. Evidence to prove the accident wasn’t your fault could be CCTV footage of the incident or witness statements from people who saw the accident happen. Furthermore, you can gather photos of your injury to show the severity.
In addition, you should gather as much evidence of your financial loss as possible. For example, you could provide bank statements to show that you spent money on prescription medicine.
Finally, you may decide you’d like a trustworthy, empathetic personal injury solicitor to help you with your case. Our panel of personal injury lawyers are experienced and could help you get more money for your injury claim.
You can contact our team of advisers today to discuss Achilles tendon settlements and potentially begin the personal injury claims process. They can then connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers who can discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you.
No Win No Fee Achilles Tendon Settlements
A No Win No Fee agreement, or a Conditional Fee Agreement, is a contractual agreement between a solicitor and yourself. It states that you’re not obligated to pay your solicitor’s fees if your case loses.
What’s more, to start a No Win No Fee claim you won’t have to pay:
- Upfront solicitor fees.
- Ongoing solicitor fees.
If your case succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a small, legally capped percentage of the compensation. You’ll know what the percentage is beforehand and it’s only taken out once the compensation comes through.
A No Win No Fee agreement can bring many benefits, so why wait? You can get in touch with our expert team of advisers today via:
- Telephone on 020 3870 4868 to have your queries answered.
- Our instant chat pop-up box to chat with an adviser straight away.
- Our online claim form to receive a response whenever you’re next available.
Further Information
Below, we have guides that we believe could make for useful further reading.
Holiday Accident Claims – Have you suffered an Achilles tendon injury on holiday? Our article explores how you can make a holiday accident claim.
Can I Be Sacked After An Injury At Work? – If you’re wondering whether you can be fired after claiming for an accident at work, our article goes into depth about this.
When And How To Report A Car Accident – Are you wondering how and when to report a car accident? Our guide includes information to help guide you.
These guides from external sources should also be helpful.
How do I know if I’ve broken a bone? – If you think you may have suffered a bone fracture, this NHS guide includes helpful information you need to know.
Achilles Tendon Pain (Chronic) Information and Advice – If you suffer from chronic Achilles tendon pain, this NHS guide offers advice about how to manage your symptoms.
FAQs About Achilles Tendon Settlements
Here we answer some commonly asked questions about injuries. However, it’s important to note that you should check with a medical professional when querying injuries.
Can you still walk with a torn Achilles tendon?
You may be able to walk for short periods of time as long as the pain isn’t severe, so long as a medical professional advises you can. Your doctor may give you a boot to wear when walking that keeps the ankle protected.
What does a partial Achilles tear feel like?
A partial Achilles tear may cause pain in the back of the leg and ankle.
When should I see a doctor for an Achilles tendon injury?
If you suspect you’ve suffered an Achilles tendon injury, you should see your doctor at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for reading our Achilles tendon settlements guide.
Writer HL
Checked by HT