The foot is an amazing part of our body, perfectly evolved to ensure our balance whilst allowing us to walk and run.

There are many ways in which you can cause injury, but you can literally be off your feet for weeks if you have an accident involving this part of your anatomy. The results can be painful and long lasting.

What are the main injuries?

• Heel fracture. These are commonly the result of a fall from height although they can be seen in some road accidents as well.
• Fractured Talus Bone. This is an important weight bearing bone situated near the ankle. Fractures to this area can be very painful and debilitating
• Fractured Toes. Whilst painful, these injuries do tend to settle down quite quickly with appropriate medical attention.
• Fracture of the foot. The middle part of the foot is often fractured when heavy loads are dropped (often fracturing the toes as well). It can also be dislocated and twisting injury can also cause a fracture.
• Ruptured ligaments.

How are foot injuries caused?

• Trips and slips. Many accidents occur whilst negotiating holes in pavements on public roads and slipping over on spillages in the office, factory or a shop.
• Falls. Falls from height often result in fractures to the heel. The height does not need to be significant for a fracture to occur; falling off a ladder or even off a step can cause a fracture.
• Dropping a heavy item onto the foot. This may be your fault but if it happens at work and you have not been provided with appropriate footwear for the task, then you may have a claim.
• Road Accidents. Many injuries to the foot arise out of serious road accidents.

What sort of compensation can you expect?

1. 1. Amputations of a foot can mean compensation up to £70,000
2. Where there are fractures leading to permanent deformity and continuing problems, you could be looking at anything up to £16000
3. For the less severe fractures, ruptured ligaments and the like there could be compensation up to £8750
4. Where there has been a complete recovery then you would be looking at compensation up to £4250.
5. For injury to the toes, compensation can range from serious injuries of the big toe and fractures of some of the other toes, where there could be compensation up to £8750.Anything up to £3500 would be awarded for a straightforward fracture of one or more toes with recovery within a short period of time and less for bruising, cuts and lacerations where there has been a complete recovery.

The above are estimates and actual compensation will vary depending on your individual circumstances. Claims can also be made for loss of earnings and other expenses.

If you have received injury to your foot or toes in an accident that was the fault of someone else then you should seek specialist legal advice