What types of ankle injury happen at work?
- Lateral ligament sprains and tears (the most common work ankle injury)
- Medial (deltoid) ligament tears
- Fractures — fibula, tibia, bimalleolar and trimalleolar
- Achilles tendon ruptures from sudden effort or falls
- Peroneal tendon injuries
- Dislocations and fracture-dislocations
- Osteoarthritis accelerated by a traumatic ankle injury
What causes ankle injuries at work?
- Slips and trips on wet, uneven or contaminated floors — see the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Falls from height — scaffolding, ladders, mezzanine floors and loading bays
- Uneven ground outdoors — agricultural, construction and utility worksites
- Being struck by vehicles, machinery or falling objects
- Poor footwear provision — where PPE regulations required appropriate safety footwear and it was not supplied
What are your employer's duties?
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require walkways, work areas and floors to be kept free from obstructions and slip hazards. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require any fall risk to be assessed and controlled through collective measures — guardrails, safety nets and harnesses — before relying on personal protective equipment. The PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require suitable footwear where the risk assessment identifies a footwear hazard.
How is an ankle injury at work claim valued?
Using the Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition:
- Severe ankle injury (including dislocations, fractures requiring extensive surgery, significant long-term impairment or need for ankle fusion): £26,590 to £46,980
- Moderate ankle injury (fractures or soft-tissue injuries with incomplete recovery, residual pain or instability): £12,900 to £24,950
- Minor ankle injury (significant initial injury with full or near-full recovery within two years): £5,480 to £12,900
- Least severe ankle injuries (soft-tissue injuries with full recovery within months): up to £13,740
Special damages — lost earnings, private physiotherapy, adaptations, travel costs — are additional.
What if my ankle fracture has led to arthritis?
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is a recognised consequence of serious ankle fractures. A medical report will address whether arthritis has developed or is likely to develop. If arthritis is probable, the claim will include a future loss element covering ongoing treatment, potential ankle fusion surgery and long-term impact on employment.
Can I claim if my ankle injury has affected my ability to work?
Yes. Loss of earnings — both to date and in the future — is recoverable as special damages. If the ankle injury has permanently reduced your earning capacity, a separate claim for loss of future earnings or loss of congenial employment can be made. This is assessed by reference to your age, occupation, earnings and the medical prognosis.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
How much compensation for a broken ankle at work?
A fractured ankle with full recovery may fall in the £12,900 to £24,950 range. Severe ankle fractures requiring surgery, causing lasting instability or likely arthritis can reach £26,590 to £46,980. Special damages for loss of earnings and treatment costs are added on top.
Can I claim if I twisted my ankle on a wet floor at work?
Yes, if the floor was wet and your employer failed to manage the slip risk — by mopping up spillages, displaying hazard signs, or ensuring adequate drainage — you may have a valid claim. Liability often turns on whether the risk was foreseeable and whether reasonable steps were taken.
What if my ankle injury stops me working for several months?
Loss of earnings during your recovery period is recoverable as a special damage. You will need payslips and a medical report confirming the period of incapacity. If your employment is affected long-term, future loss of earnings is also recoverable.
Does it matter if I was partly to blame for my ankle injury?
Not necessarily. Under the contributory negligence rules in the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945, your damages may be reduced by a proportion reflecting your share of the fault, but you do not lose your claim entirely. Many successful claimants were partly responsible for their own accident.
Sources
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- PPE at Work Regulations 1992
- Judicial College Guidelines, 17th edition (2024)
- Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945