Torn Cartilage Injury Claims Guide – How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Torn Cartilage?

Man experiencing a torn cartilage injury with a co-worker helping him out

By Jo Jeffries. Last Updated 20th October 2021. Welcome to our guide on torn cartilage injury claims, where we’ll look at the process of claiming torn cartilage injury compensation. Have you experienced a torn cartilage injury? Was the accident that was caused by another person?

If so, and they could be held liable for your injury, and you may be entitled to make a torn cartilage claim against them.  This guide provides essential information regarding this type of injury and describes some common types of cartilage tears, what damage they could cause, and how cartilage injuries may happen.

The guide also provides essential details on the steps involved in making a compensation claim, from describing situations where another party could be liable for a torn cartilage injury to information on making No Win No Fee claims. Should you require clarification on anything covered in the guide below, we can be reached on 0800 073 8801.

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A Guide To Claims For Torn Cartilage And Cartilage Injuries

Cartilage is a tissue found in the human body. It is firm and stronger than bone, and it supports your bones and joints, protecting them from wear and tear. However, if too much force is applied to cartilage, it may cause it to tear. Common causes of torn cartilage injuries could include trauma to a specific area,  sporting injuries, slips, trips and falls, and road accidents, to name a few. Some such injuries could lead to long term pain.

If you suffered a torn cartilage injury, and it was not your fault, you may be able to file a torn cartilage injury claim against the party responsible with the help of specialist solicitors.

Why Make A Claim?

At Accident Claims, our personal injury lawyers believe that persons who are injured in an accident that was not their fault should be recompensed for what happened to them. Whether you had to take time away from work and lost wages, incurred medical costs or simply suffered pain that you would not have experienced had the accident not happened. Our solicitors feel that while compensation could not take back what happened to you, it could give you some assistance with moving forward after such an accident, such as filing torn cartilage injury claims.

No matter how your cartilage injury occurred, we are here to help and advise you, from assessing your case to providing you with legal representation to help make a torn cartilage claim move forward.

What Does Cartilage Do?

Cartilage has various functions in the human body, which include the following:

  • Reducing levels of friction between joints
  • Supporting a body’s weight when moving, bending, stretching and running
  • Holding certain bones together, with an example being the rib cage
  • Making up specific body parts, with an example being an ear
  • Making up the end of long bones in children before eventually converting to bone as a child matures

What Kind Of Cartilage Do You Have and Where Is Your Cartilage?

There are three types of cartilage present in the human body which are as follows:

  • Hyaline cartilage – this is the cartilage found between joints, surrounding a windpipe and between ribs in a ribcage. It is tough, springy and elastic-like
  • Fibrocartilage – this is considered to be the toughest type of cartilage because It can withstand heavy weight and is found in the spine, between the vertebrae and discs, and between pelvic and hip bones
  • Elastic (yellow) cartilage – outer ears and parts of the nose are made up of this type of cartilage which is supple and springy

What Is Torn Cartilage Or A Cartilage Injury?

When cartilage is subjected to forces it cannot withstand, the result is a tear. It can also be damaged by ongoing wear and tear, but this guide concentrates on cartilage tears caused by trauma to an area of the body. Cartilage could tear in many different ways, some of which are described below:

While some cases of cartilage tear may resolve themselves, sometimes surgery could be required to mend the damage. If that’s the case, the medical evidence could help to support any torn cartilage injury claims. Contact us to see how we can help you to achieve torn cartilage injury compensation.

Cartilage Injury Symptoms

Symptoms associated with damaged cartilage often includes the following:

  • Knee cartilage injury – knee cartilage damage symptoms may include pain and popping of a joint. Meniscus tears in the knee could also cause the knee to give way and may result in swelling. A knee cartilage tear could be considered a common type of injury, and should you have torn cartilage together with an ACL injury, it could leave you unable to walk
  • Torn cartilage in ribs –  a violent cough might cause torn cartilage around the ribs, as could trauma to the area. Symptoms for torn cartilage around the sternum could include chest muscle spasms, pain and tenderness, together with some bruising
  • Torn cartilage around the hip – torn cartilage in the hip area could lead to popping or clicking of an affected joint together within the groin area or buttocks
  • Torn cartilage in the shoulder – pain, popping and weakness in the shoulder joint could be an indication of this type of tear
  • Torn cartilage in the wrist – pain when moving a wrist from side to side, swelling, and painful clicking of the wrist could also be associated with torn cartilage in the wrist
  • Torn cartilage in the arm – swelling, joint pain, and clicking sounds in an affected elbow joint could occur

If you are concerned that you have a cartilage injury, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so that your injury could be assessed, diagnosed, and treatment to avoid experiencing further pain and causing more damage.

Common Causes Of Cartilage Injuries And Torn Cartilage

What causes cartilage damage? As previously mentioned, there are a wide variety of different types of injury that could occur to cartilage found in the body, and there are various potential causes for torn cartilage injuries which could include the following:

  • Meniscus tears –knee cartilage injuries could be considered quite common. A meniscal tear could be caused when a knee is forcefully twisted or rotated, which could happen as a result of a fall while kneeling or squatting. Lifting something heavy could also cause this type of injury
  • Rib cartilage tears – these could be caused by excessive violent coughing, a blow to the area, or landing hard on your feet
  • Hip labrum tears – these could be caused by repetitive actions, such as running, from a blow to the area or other type of trauma

In all of the above cases, there is one recurring cause of tears to cartilage, and that is trauma. Trauma could cause a torn cartilage injury almost anywhere in the body, and it could happen in an assault, a car accident, a slip or fall accident in a public place, to name but a few.

If you suffered cartilage injuries due to someone else’s fault, you might be able to make torn cartilage injury claims against the liable party. And if you are unsure who could be responsible, a personal injury lawyer at Accident Claims UK will assess your case before offering valuable advice on whether you could pursue a torn cartilage injury compensation claim against a negligent third party.

Causes Of Knee Cartilage Tears

As mentioned above, a knee cartilage injury could be considered quite common. A torn meniscus in the knee joint may occur if the knee twists (rotates) or hyper-extends, which could happen during sporting activities or through trauma in a car accident, manual handling accident, fall or trip and more. In addition to this, some people could suffer a degenerative meniscal tear due to repetitive strain on the knee area or due to their age.

Because knee cartilage injuries can be quite painful, you may not be able to walk or stand for long periods during your recovery. As such, you would need time off work, especially if your job entails standing for long periods. This could lead to a loss of wages, putting you under financial pressure. However, if someone else could be liable for the injury you sustained, you could claim back your loss of wages in a successful torn cartilage claim.

Diagnosis And Treatment Options For Torn Cartilage Injuries

In terms of getting a diagnosis and treatment for torn cartilage injuries, it is vital that you are examined by a medical professional as soon as symptoms occur, particularly if it is a result of trauma to the area.

Diagnosing the difference between sprains, strains and muscle tears can be achieved in one of two ways as follows:

  • An MRI – detailed images of the area could determine that you have suffered a torn cartilage injury,  although it certain instances, it may not
  • An arthroscopy – a tiny camera can be inserted into the joint, which would enable a doctor to see signs of damage to cartilage

The treatment for torn cartilage injuries could differ depending on the severity and location of the injury. For example, while one type of knee cartilage injury could repair naturally, in other cases, knee cartilage damage may require surgery. Sometimes this could be carried out at the same time as arthroscopy, the diagnostic method mentioned above.

Physiotherapy, in the form of knee cartilage damage exercises, might also be appropriate in cases where knee cartilage surgery is not required, while in mild cases, painkillers and rest might be the only treatment required to repair the damage. In any event, this guide explains how the result could be you filing torn cartilage injury claims for torn cartilage injury compensation.

Cartilage Injuries Caused By Road Traffic Accidents

If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, and you suffer a torn cartilage injury, you may be able to claim compensation. Because of the force involved in car accidents, it could lead to a great deal of trauma to certain parts of the body, and whether you were injured as a passenger, a driver, a pedestrian or cyclist, a road traffic accident may result in you suffering serious cartilage tears that may require surgical intervention. However serious the cartilage injuries you sustained, if they were due to the negligent actions of another road user, you could consider making a torn cartilage claim against them.

Whiplash And Torn Neck Cartilage Injury Claims

Serious whiplash could also cause a torn cartilage injury. When the head moves very quickly back and forth, in a jerking motion, it could cause the tendons and ligaments in the neck to be injured. If the jerking force is violent enough, it could also cause damage to the cartilage. Should you have suffered whiplash, and someone else could be held liable for the accident you were injured in, you may be able to claim torn cartilage injury compensation.

Cartilage Injuries Caused By Accidents At Work

If your employer did not take reasonable actions to protect your health and safety at work, and you suffered cartilage injuries, you may be able to claim torn cartilage compensation from them. There are a number of different ways in which this type of injury could happen at work which may lead to torn cartilage injury claims. And these injuries include accidents that could be caused by:

  • Manual handling injuries stemming from lack of training
  • Trip hazards not being managed (e.g. obstructions not being moved)
  • Slip hazards not being managed (e.g. spills not being cleared up)
  • Falls from improperly secured ladders or scaffolding

If it could be proved that your employer could have prevented your accident by acting within their legal obligations to look after your safety at work, you may be able to claim compensation by filing a torn cartilage claim against them.

Cartilage injury statistics

Statistics released by HSE have revealed that in 2019/20, there were 480,000 workers who were suffering from musculoskeletal disorders related to their work. Of these, 152,000 were new cases. Although as we can see from the graph below, the rate of musculoskeletal disorders per 100,000 workers has been in decline since 2001/02.

Chart showing musculoskeletal disorder for every 100,000 workers new and long-standing in the UK

The statistics released by the HSE has shown that the majority (44%) of cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders occur in the upper limbs or neck, 37% occur in the back and 19% affect the lower limbs. The injury where workers are most at risk of musculoskeletal disorders is agriculture, forestry and fishing, where the rate per 100,000 workers was 2,030. This is much higher than the all-industry average of 1,130 cases per 100,000 workers. Although not all of these instances will be related to cartilage damage, cartilage injuries will make up a portion of these reported injuries.

Statistics released by the NHS suggest that musculoskeletal disorder, which includes damage to the carriage, affects 9.6 million adults in the UK, and are the reason for 30% of GP consultations in England. They result in over 25% of NHS surgical interventions each year, and musculoskeletal disorders account for  £4.76 billion in NHS spending annually as of 2009/10.

Torn Cartilage Injury Claims Compensation Calculator – Updated October 2021

If you put in your details to a personal injury claims calculator, it might give out an approximation of the amount of compensation you could receive for a torn cartilage injury. However, we have done things slightly differently in this guide. The table below provides details of the torn cartilage injury compensation received according to the Judicial College Guidelines. Please bear in mind, however, that a claim would not have a value attached to it until a medical assessment had been undertaken and the full extent of the injury had been assessed.

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Location of Injury Guideline Compensation Bracket Notes
Knee Injuries Serious, where disruption of the joint has occurred. Gross ligament damage, lots of pain and function loss. Surgery would be required and osteoarthritis would develop. £65,440 to £90,290
Knee injuries Less severe than those above but where there is disability, but to a less severe extent. Continuing symptoms may be present and surgery may be required within a long-term recovery plan £24,580 to £40,770
Knee Injuries Moderate (i) – involving torn cartilage where minor instability results, or another mild disability £13,920 to £24,580
Hip/Pelvis injuries Moderate – A significant injury, but where future risk to the area is not great and permanent disabilities are minor £24,950 to £36,770
Hip/Pelvis injuries Lesser injuries with little to no residual harm once the injury has healed £11,820 to £24,950
Shoulder injuries Moderate – where there is limited movement and symptoms persist for around 2 years £7,410 to £11,980
Shoulder injuries Minor – Where considerable pain is suffered but almost complete recovery has taken place within 2 years £4,080 to £7,410
Neck injuries Moderate – Wrench type injuries that could result in cervical spondylosis. Loss of movement and recurring or permanent pain £12,900 to £23,460
Knee injuries Moderate (ii) – less serious than Moderate (i) injuries with a shorter period of acceleration Up to £12,900

If your specific injury is not listed in the table above, this does not mean you could not make a claim. Simply call our advisers, and we’ll take a look into the guidelines for your specific injury.

What Additional Types Of Compensation Could I Claim?

In addition to the compensation you could receive for your torn cartilage injury itself, you may also be able to claim compensation for costs that you may have incurred due to the injury you sustained. These could include the following:

  • Any losses in pay – if you received Statutory Sick Pay SSP or you have not been able to earn what you normally do because of your injury, wage losses could be claimed as special damages
  • Any medical expenses – if medical expenses arise directly because of your injury, such as prescriptions costs, physiotherapy costs etc., you could also claim for these
  • Any travel expenses – if travel expenses have arisen because of your injuries, such as car parking costs at the hospital or taxi fees for transport to medical appointments, you may be able to claim for these too
  • Care costs – should you have needed to put your children in childcare facilities because you were unable to care for them during your recovery, or if you needed care at home with day to day tasks that you couldn’t do because of your injury, then care costs could also be covered within a torn cartilage claim

Whatever costs you’ve experienced, they would be easier to prove if you have kept documentation relating to them, so we would advise claimants to keep all receipts, wage slips, etc., in a safe place so they can be provided as proof of expenditure and losses.

No Win No Fee Compensation Claims For Torn Cartilage

Are you considering making torn cartilage injury claims but are unsure as to whether you want to pay upfront for legal representation? Having a personal injury lawyer on your side when making a torn cartilage claim could be beneficial, as they could bring legal expertise and knowledge to your case, making it that much harder for a liable party to dispute. The good news is that with No Win No Fee claims, you would not have to pay upfront for legal representation. In fact, you would not have to pay anything until your compensation had been paid out.

No Win No Fee terms and conditions are laid out in a document called a Conditional Fee Agreement. This agreement details the amount of money (as a percentage of your compensation) you would pay your solicitor as a success fee if they managed to get you compensation for your torn cartilage claim. If they don’t get you compensation, but your claim was considered a valid one, this success fee would not be payable, hence the term ‘No Win No Fee’. To learn more about making this type of claim, please don’t hesitate to call us here at Accident Claims. All of the solicitors we could provide to you work to this payment structure.

How To Claim Compensation With Torn Cartilage Injury Claims

Would you like advice on making a torn cartilage claim? Or are you ready to begin claiming compensation for your torn cartilage injury? Whatever your situation, one simple call to us, could offer all the support and guidance you need. We would begin by asking you about the situation that has led to your call. After you’ve told us what has happened to you, we may ask a few questions to clarify a few details about your torn cartilage injury, and then we would be able to give you advice based on your specific circumstances.

If we feel that your case would not lead to torn cartilage compensation, we will tell you, and we’ll advise you of why this is. If we feel that your torn cartilage accident could lead to compensation, we could offer to provide you with a personal injury lawyer to help begin your claim.

You are, of course, free from any obligation to use our services, and whether you take our advice or an offer of a personal injury solicitor is completely up to you. We would never push you into making a personal injury claim. The decision on how to pursue torn cartilage injury compensation is always completely down to you.

What we can tell you, however, is that we have worked with many clients before that have been delighted with the services we’ve offered them and we’d be delighted to offer our services to you too.

Start Your Torn Cartilage Injury Compensation Claims Today

Whatever the reason you suffered a torn cartilage, if it was someone else’s fault and they could be held liable, Accident Claims UK could help you. We could offer support and guidance tailored to your specific situation, and we could also provide a no win no fee solicitor to help you make a personal injury claim for torn cartilage compensation. You can get in touch with us in several ways.

By telephone – 0800 073 8801

By email – office@accidentclaims.co.uk

Or, you could opt to use the Live Chat service or contact forms that can be found on our site.

Whichever contact method you prefer, we look forward to helping you with your torn cartilage injury claims.

Essential Resources Relating To Torn Cartilage Injury Claims and Torn Cartilage Injury Compensation

Was Your Cartilage Torn In A Workplace Accident? – If so, our guide on workplace accidents might be of interest to you.

Pavement Accidents – If you tore your cartilage on broken pavement, then this page could offer some guidance on making a claim.

Cycling Accidents – Did a cycling accident cause your cartilage injury? If so, then you might find some useful information here.

Medical Resources

Cartilage Damage – NHS – This NHS resource talks about cartilage damage and treatment options.

NHS Wales Resource On Cartilage Damage – You could also find more information from NHS Wales on what could constitute cartilage damage.

Information From The HSE About Lower Limb Disorders – Have you suffered a lower limb disorder at work? This HSE resource may be of use.

Torn Cartilage Injury Claims And Torn Cartilage Injury Compensation FAQs

Is a torn cartilage in the knee serious?

It can be serious by locking the knee and causing significant pain, as well as leading to both swelling and stiffness.

Can I sue for a torn meniscus?

Yes you could, assuming you have sufficient supporting evidence to prove the injury and the original cause.

Is a torn cartilage the same as a torn meniscus?

The meniscus is essentially an alternate version of cartilage acting as a shock absorber between bones.

How long does it take for a torn cartilage to heal?

It usually takes around 6-8 weeks for a torn cartilage to fully heal without any surgery.

Can a torn cartilage repair itself?

No, it’s very rare for torn cartilage to heal alone, hence the need for treatment.

Is a torn meniscus a permanent injury?

Not necessarily, but if the knee doesn’t fully heal, then you could bring about permanent injury by reinjuring the cartilage.

Can you walk with torn knee cartilage?

It is possible to walk on torn cartilage, and to even perform athletic competition on such an injury.

Does an MRI show cartilage damage?

Yes, an MRI on the knee shows any damage to cartilage, bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

How do I prove the severity of my injury?

You may have sought medical aid for the initial injury you sustained. This is an important thing to do if you suffer an injury, so you could get the right advice and treatment. However, seeing your own doctor or visiting the hospital would not be the only thing you’d need to do to evidence your injury. During the course of your claim, you’d need to attend an appointment with an independent medic who would examine your injuries and produce a report that detailed the severity of your injury. It might include details of the medical professional’s opinion on whether you might risk further injury later on, and what your prognosis would be for the future. This could significantly affect how much compensation you’d receive for your claim for pain and suffering as a result of your injury.

Should I keep an injury diary?

One useful thing to do if you suffer such an injury would be to keep a diary of how you’ve suffered with your injury. That way, you can have a full record of things you haven’t been able to do because of your injury, whether it has affected you mentally and so on. You could even record the dates of any medical appointments, how long you’ve been off work and other details of treatments you’ve needed.  You could also include photographs where relevant to show any healing progress. This could all help provide a better picture of your injury and how it’s affected you.

Claiming torn cartilage injury compensation for a road traffic accident – what evidence do I need?

Despite the four months of lockdown that the UK had in 2020, there were still a number of accidents on the road that caused injuries. According to the Department for Transport figures from that period, there were over 115,000 people injured on UK roads, as you can see below.

Graph which shows casualties for all types of road users in Great Britain

Some of these might involve a torn cartilage injury. When it comes to the evidence needed to prove a road traffic accident injury, you would need to provide proof that the accident actually took place, proof that somebody else was liable for your injuries and evidence of your injury itself. Your lawyer could speak to you about how to gather such evidence, even if you have not already taken some details at the scene of the accident.

Could I make torn cartilage injury claims with a locally based lawyer?

Of course, you could choose a lawyer close to where you live to make your claim for torn cartilage injury compensation. However, you need not restrict yourself to using a lawyer in your locality. Lawyers across the UK could handle your claim on a no win no fee basis no matter where in the UK they are based. Using solicitors that are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority but that are not based locally to you should have no impact on your claim. In fact, choosing a lawyer based far away from you but that has experience and knowledge of handling claims just like yours could be beneficial to your case.

Thank you for reading our guide on torn cartilage injury claims. We hope you have learned a lot about how to claim for torn cartilage injury compensation.