Orthopaedic injury and negligence claims

If you've suffered an orthopaedic injury because of substandard medical care, you may be entitled to make a claim. Handled incorrectly, orthopaedic injuries can have a serious and lasting impact on your life, work and family. Our specialist team is here to guide you.

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Author

Christian Beadell

Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

19th July 2026

Can I make an orthopaedic injury claim?

You may be able to make an orthopaedic injury claim if someone else caused your injury or made an existing injury worse. Orthopaedic injuries affect your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles; they can be severe and long-term. But compensation can help with the cost of medical treatment, physiotherapy – and any loss of earnings you’ve suffered as a result. So, you don’t have to go through this without support.

Orthopaedic injuries can range from soft tissue damage and sprains, to fractures and dislocations. They can have a significant impact on your mobility and your overall quality of life. If you’ve suffered an orthopaedic injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim. That might mean surgery carried out by a medical professional, an unsafe working environment maintained by your employer, or another road user driving erratically and causing a collision.

Claims can come about in a number of different ways. If your injury was caused or made worse by mistakes in your medical care – for example, incorrect orthopaedic surgery or poor aftercare – you may have a medical negligence claim. If your injury happened at work through heavy lifting, operating poorly maintained equipment, or repetitive strain, you may have an accident at work claim. Orthopaedic injuries caused by road traffic collisions, slips and trips in public places, or sports accidents with inadequate safety measures can also give rise to a claim.

Even if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, it’s worth speaking to us. We’ll advise you on the specifics of your situation and talk you through your options.

Example of an orthopaedic negligence claim

Imagine a patient who undergoes hip replacement surgery and, due to a surgical error, suffers repeated dislocations requiring multiple further operations. If the original surgery fell below the standard a competent surgeon would be expected to meet, and the patient’s pain, suffering and additional treatment were a direct result, this could be a valid orthopaedic negligence claim.

Related orthopaedic injury claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Helping you cover the costs of recovery and rebuild your life.

An orthopaedic negligence claim can help cover the practical costs that often mount up after a serious injury. Many of the people we support have come to us with severe mobility complications, reduced independence, and often in chronic pain. Sometimes, the specialist support you need to recover well, is not available on the NHS. Compensation can help cover the costs of specialist medical care, physiotherapy, and other therapies you might need.

A successful orthopaedic negligence claim may help fund:

Physiotherapy, rehabilitation and occupational therapy
Surgery and specialist medical treatment not covered by the NHS
Pain management and prescription costs
Adaptations to your home or vehicle
Specialist mobility aids and equipment
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Travel and transport costs related to your treatment and recovery

Understanding the potential value

We secured £54,000 in compensation for our client who suffered harm after repeat surgery to an inflamed kneecap led to a dangerous blood clot and loss of mobility. How much you receive will depend on the severity of your injury and the wider impact it has had on your life. More serious injuries with a greater effect on your day-to-day life will typically result in higher settlements. We’ll consider the full extent of your injury and how you’ve been affected.

Understanding interim payments

Interim payments can help cover the immediate costs of your recovery, such as physiotherapy or corrective treatments, so you’re not left waiting until the end of your claim to access the support you need. We understand that waiting for an orthopaedic negligence claim to conclude can put real financial pressure on you and your family. Where possible, we’ll work to secure interim payments on your behalf during the claims process – before the final settlement is reached.

Specialist orthopaedic injury solicitors

We’re experienced in complex orthopaedic negligence claims.

Why choose Fletchers Solicitors for your orthopaedic injury claim?

You’ll have some of the UKs leading personal injury legal specialists handling your case. Having the right specialist team around you makes a real difference. At Fletchers Solicitors, our experts have handled a wide range of orthopaedic cases, from surgical negligence to serious road traffic injuries – and we’ve helped people secure thousands of pounds to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. We bring together legal expertise and genuine care to give you the best possible chance of a successful outcome. And we’ll help you secure the compensation you deserve so you can move on from your injury.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist orthopaedic injury and medical negligence solicitors with extensive experience across complex cases
Successful track record securing significant settlements
Access to leading independent medical experts to support your case
Recongised as a leading law firm by the Legal 500
We’ll work to secure expert reports on any home modifications or adaptations you may need
No win, no fee – you won’t pay us anything if we don’t secure compensation for you

You're not alone

We understand the impact this can have.

Many of the people we’ve supported weren’t sure at first whether they had a claim, or if they did, whether it was even worth pursuing. This is a common feeling, and we understand that you will be coming to us looking for answers. We can help you through this.

An orthopaedic injury can affect every part of your life. Reduced mobility, persistent pain, and time away from work take a real toll, not just physically but emotionally. Many of our clients tell us they found it hard to keep up with family life, to do the things they enjoyed, or even to get through the day without discomfort. That impact is real, and it deserves to be properly recognised.

We also know that the financial side can feel just as daunting. Medical costs, lost income, physiotherapy, and adaptations to your home or vehicle can quickly add up – creating pressure at a time when your focus should be on getting better.

We’ll handle every part of the process, keep you informed at every stage, and fight for a settlement that truly reflects the impact your injury has had on your life.

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FAQs about orthopaedic injury claims

How long do I have to make an orthopaedic injury claim?

In most cases, there is a three-year time limit from the date of your injury – or from the date you became aware that your injury may have been caused by negligence. There are exceptions to this rule, for example in cases involving children or where a person lacks mental capacity. Please speak to us for advice on the specifics of your situation.

How much does it cost to make an orthopaedic injury claim?

Fletchers operates on a No Win, No Fee basis – sometimes called a conditional fee arrangement. This means you won’t pay us anything if we don’t secure compensation for you. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to take out after-the-event (ATE) insurance before we progress with your case. We’ll explain all of this clearly before you decide to proceed.

Can I claim if my orthopaedic injury was partly my fault?

Possibly, yes. Even if you were partly responsible for your injury, you may still be able to claim. In these situations, something called contributory negligence may apply – which means your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. We’ll advise you honestly on how this might affect your case.

What support will I receive during my orthopaedic injury claim?

Our team will handle every part of the legal process for you, including gathering your medical records, instructing independent experts, and negotiating with the other side. Where relevant, we can also help you access rehabilitation and specialist care during your claim, and work to secure interim payments to ease financial pressure while your case is ongoing. You’ll always know what’s happening and what comes next.

What is an orthopaedic injury claim?

An orthopaedic injury compensation claim is a claim someone makes for compensation for an injury to their musculoskeletal system that was not their fault. Mistakes in your medical care may be the cause of your orthopaedic injury. Incorrect orthopaedic surgery or aftercare is another reason.

Orthopaedic injuries can range from soft tissue damage in your joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles right through to bone fractures. They can have a significant impact on your mobility, ability to work, and overall quality of life.

What orthopaedic cases have been successful?

Recent cases where our team has secured compensation for clients include:

Andrew: Andrew underwent five avoidable surgeries and four hip dislocations following a consultation with a hip specialist. Our medical negligence team took up his case and Andrew received a settlement for £22,500.
37-year old client: A motorcyclist in Reading was involved in a serious road traffic accident after colliding into a vehicle that pulled out from a nearside car park. Our client required multiple surgical treatments as his movement had been severely restricted as a result of the accident. He was awarded £200,000 in compensation and is looking forward to a fresh start.
60-year old client: Our client collided into a car which pulled out from a side road when he was riding his motorcycle. He suffered a variety of injuries ranging from a fractured humerus to a lateral process fracture. He experienced psychological trauma as a result and developed pneumonia when in hospital. Fletchers secured our client £454,000 in compensation.