How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Chest Injury?
Chest injury is a very wide term that is used to describe a range of different injury types and illnesses. All of these can affect the chest area of the body, commonly the chest is defined as the area between the neck and the diaphragm. It can include everything from broken bones to musculoskeletal injuries to other problems. Some of these illnesses can include things such as chronic injuries and conditions affecting the heart and lungs. Specific types of injury can include;
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- Fractured and broken bones (including ribs, the clavicle, sternum, or even the breastbone).
Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the chest and sternum. - Chronic illnesses affecting the heart and lungs which have been caused by unsafe working conditions. Chronic conditions can include the 900 new cases of asbestosis caused by the workplace each year.
- Any other injuries or illnesses which can affect the internal organs.
- Fractured and broken bones (including ribs, the clavicle, sternum, or even the breastbone).
Chest injuries can have a serious and long-term effect on those who suffer from them. To get the compensation you deserve, talk to Legal Expert today.
What Are The Main Types Of Chest Injuries?
chest injury
There are two main ways that an injury to the chest can occur. The two types of chest injuries are impact trauma and exposure to a hazardous substance. Whichever of these caused the accident, the cause is usually not related to the amount of compensation you may receive. Your compensation will be calculated with reference to the nature of the injury sustained, the immediate and long-term effects it has on the claimant and any financial losses incurred.
The main types of chest injuries are:
- Impact trauma: These injuries can be caused in a variety of ways such as traffic accidents, falls, and even criminal assaults.
- The exposure to hazardous substances: this type of chest injury claim is commonly known as compensation claim for industrial disease. These types of injury and illness include pneumococcus and mesothelioma.
Whilst the cause of the accident doesn’t affect the amount of compensation you can claim, being able to establish the liability of the party responsible does. In order to make a successful claim for personal injury compensation, your solicitor will need to show negligence on the part of the responsible party.
Chest Injuries At Work
In 2013 there were 177 new cases of asthma caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work. When a chest injury or illness does occur due to exposure hazardous materials in the workplace, those affected can bring a claim for personal injury compensation against their employer. If you suffer an injury to the chest and your employer has not previously taken the necessary and reasonable steps to protect workers from danger, they may then be liable for the resulting injuries. Reasonable steps can include placing adequate ventilation and providing the necessary personal protective equipment.
Chest Injury Legislation
You could be entitled to claim compensation for a chest injury you have suffered in the workplace on the basis of the ‘Health and Safety at Work Act 1974’ and the COSH (or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations. The former outlines the general rights of employees to a workplace that has been made safe from all forms of foreseeable accidents, the latter protects employees from the risk of exposure to materials that can cause lung problems.
If you would like to know more about whether or not you could have grounds to claim on the basis of these pieces of legislation, call us today.
What Is My Chest Injury Claim Worth
You may be able to claim different amounts of compensation for different types of chest injuries. Most personal injury claims are made up of two elements. One is known as general damages for pain and suffering caused by the injury. The other, ‘special damages’, covers financial losses such as a loss of earnings or medical costs.
Below are some of the types of chest injuries and claim amounts you may be able to claim for.
| Injury | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Loss of one lung/heart damage | £94,470 to £140,870 |
| Chest injury causing loss of function/loss of life expectancy | £61,710 to £94,470 |
| Chest injury causing some disability | £29,380 to £51,460 |
| Simple penetrating injury of the chest | £11,820 to £16,860 |
| Toxic fume/smoke inhalation | £5,000 to £11,820 |
| Collapsed lung | £2,060 to £5,000 |
| Rib fracture | Up to £3,710 |
| Lung cancer | £65,710 to £91,350 |
| Emphysema | £51,420 to £65,710 |
If you have suffered any type of chest injury, contact the expert personal injury claims solicitors at Legal Expert.
A Guide To Making No Win No Fee Chest Injury Claims
No win no fee agreements are also known as Conditional Fee Agreements or CFA’s. These are contracts between a claimant and their personal injury solicitor. This forms the basis of the terms and conditions of the relationship between the solicitor and the claimant. It means that if you don’t win a claim, you won’t have to pay anything. Charges and fees for what you will have to pay upon winning your case will be detailed in the agreement. At Legal Expert, we have no extra fees or upfront costs.
How To Make A Chest Injury Claim
Get the personal injury compensation you deserve for your chest injury by working with Legal Expert. We can provide all the help and advice you need after an injury at work. To talk to our legal experts, fill in the contact form on our website. Alternatively, you can call us today on 0800 073 8804 or send us an email.
Useful Links
Occupational Health
Information about occupational health and priorities from the Health and Safety Executive.
Accident At Work Claim
Find out how to make an accident at work claim.
Car Accident Claims – How Much Compensation Can I Claim?
If you have had a car accident get free legal advice and find out how much you can claim.