If you have suffered a knee injury through someone else's negligence, you could receive anything between approximately £10,000 for a minor injury up to £75,000 or more in a case where the injury has been more severe and permanent. The actual amount would be determined by the extent to which the injury has affected your ability to work and walk.

The knee joint itself is a complex joint, and the injuries that arrive at our door are incredibly diverse. Many injuries to the kneecap occur in front-seat occupants of motor vehicles in accidents. Workers in physically demanding trades such as roofers, warehouse staff, or construction workers can develop chronic conditions over time, for example chondromalacia patella from overuse.

Types of knee injury we handle

The specialist personal injury solicitors at Thompsons can help you secure compensation for the following types of knee injury:

• Knee strains and sprains
• Knee bursitis
• Meniscus tears
• Ligament injuries including ACL and MCL tears
• Knee dislocations and fractures
• RSI and overuse knee injuries

These injuries commonly arise from road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, and slips, trips, and falls.

How much compensation for a knee injury?

A knee injury can prevent you from working, rob you of the things you enjoy, and make ordinary tasks like climbing stairs, carrying shopping, and getting in and out of your car a real trial.

Long-term disability is the most important factor for the level of your award. As a broad guide: relatively minor knee injuries would tend to settle for up to £10,000, moderate injuries for up to £20,000, serious injuries for up to £34,000, severe injuries for up to £54,000 and very severe injuries for up to £75,000.

Knee injury compensation case studies

The cases below give a practical sense of what courts have awarded for different knee injuries.

R (A Child) –v- Coventry City Council 2011

The claimant was a seven year old school pupil who suffered bruising to his lower leg with an associated haematoma to his right knee after his leg became trapped between the rungs on an aluminium seat that he had been walking on in a play park. An ambulance was called and treatment was given at the scene. 

Some two months after the accident the claimant's right knee continued to be red and inflamed. The claimant was prescribed antibiotics. Four months after the accident the haematoma had cleared leaving a small swelling on the knee. The swelling was of no functional significance and a full recovery was made. 

Compensation awarded for pain and suffering - £1,634.89

Brock –v- Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council 2009

The claimant was a 32 year old female who suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and lacerations to the front of her kneecap after she caught her foot on the edge of a raised concrete storm drain falling forwards onto her left knee. The claimant attended the hospital where steristrips were applied and physiotherapy recommended. An arthroscopy was undertaken 11 months after the accident which revealed a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. The injury had left the claimant with a residual disability comprising muscle weakness and pain. 

It was assessed that there would be ongoing low-grade intermittent non-disabling symptoms into the future which, whilst gradually improving, would remain indefinitely. It was anticipated that the claimant would be able to return to her past time of horse-riding after five years from the date of the accident. 

Compensation awarded for pain and suffering - £10,199.19

Grace –v- Stagecoach 2000

A 38 year old female was injured while travelling as a standing passenger on a bus when it pulled away sharply with a sudden jolt, causing her left leg to be jerked forwards and back. She sustained an osteochondral fracture of her left knee, and there was localised damage to the medial femoral condyle. 

The claimant remained troubled by a constant gnawing pain in the left knee, which was worse in cold or wet weather. The knee swelled up most days, clicked intermittently and gave way once or twice a week. Her walking distance was limited and she could not run. She suffered a sharp pain in the joint when weight bearing, turning or twisting. Housework aggravated the pain and there was a possibility of knee replacement and knee revision. The claimant intended on returning to work as a care escort. 

Compensation awarded for pain and suffering - £48,622.44

Nicholls –v-Yorkshire Water Services 1998

A 25 year old female tripped on an uncovered stop tap in a grass verge near her home and fell fracturing the tibial plateau of her left knee. She was in hospital for 10 days and had a full leg plaster for eight weeks. She suffered continuing moderate to severe symptoms, which slowly became worse. The claimant went on to develop osteo-arthritis and worsening symptoms, and it was thought to be probable that major reconstructive or joint replacement surgery would be necessary after a period of approximately 10 years. 

Six months after the accident the claimant developed psoriasis, as a consequence of the stress caused by her injury and treatment, which over several weeks spread to cover most of her head and body. The initial acute attack was so severe that she was immediately admitted to hospital for approximately three weeks, after which she was discharged with minor healing lesions. Thereafter psoriasis continued to trouble her but to a lesser degree.

The prognosis was that once triggered the psoriasis was never likely to be completely cured and the claimant would continue to be troubled by it, to some degree indefinitely. Five years after the accident, her typical appearance included reddening of the cheeks and chin with occasional papules and pustules, described as a marked and obvious cosmetic deformity. Other areas were variously affected by a rash including areas of her scalp, stomach, breasts and back. The judge accepted that the knee injury and skin condition were discrete injuries with virtually no overlap so far as damages were concerned. In winter when the weather was poor the claimant had pain in her left leg. In the summer as her arthritis improved her psoriasis was aggravated and she could not go in the sun.

Compensation awarded for pain and suffering - £57,503.48

These examples are a rough guide. The amount you are awarded for pain and suffering will depend on your injuries, how they have affected you, and how fully you recover.

How to make a knee injury claim

The Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 gives you three years from the date of your accident to bring a claim. We handle knee injury claims on a no win, no fee basis which means thare are no upfront costs, and nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.

Frequently asked questions

Speak to Thompsons Solicitors today

Thompsons Solicitors are Scotland's leading personal injury solicitors, with more accredited personal injury specialists than any other firm. If your knee has been injured through someone else's negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for your losses.

Call us on 0800 0891 331 to discuss your case.