Making an arm fracture claim

An arm fracture claim covers a break to the humerus, forearm, or elbow caused by a road accident. It commonly happens from bracing against the ground, or the impact of a fall from a motorcycle, sometimes alongside a wrist fracture from the same fall.

This sits within a wider road accident claim. How the bone was fixed, whether by a cast or surgery, generally shapes both recovery and the strength of the claim.

This page explains the common types of arm fracture, the evidence needed, and how a lasting effect is claimed.

What an arm fracture covers

A simple fracture stays in place and is generally treated with a cast alone. A displaced fracture, where the bone has shifted out of position, often needs surgery.

Plates, screws, or a rod hold the bone while it heals. An elbow fracture is generally treated as more delicate than a break in the middle of the arm, since it can affect how much the joint bends afterward.

How it affects daily life and work

A cast or brace limits basic tasks such as washing, dressing, and driving for weeks at a time. This is considerably harder when the dominant arm is affected.

Any job involving lifting, typing, or repetitive arm movement is usually paused until the bone has healed and strength has returned. Even after the cast comes off, some stiffness and reduced strength is common while the muscles rebuild.

The evidence this claim needs

An X-ray at the time of the accident, and again during healing, shows how well the bone is setting. A specialist medical report from an orthopaedic surgeon should cover the type of fracture and the treatment given.

It should also address whether full movement and strength are expected to return. Where surgery was needed, details of the hardware used, and any plan to remove it later, should also be included.

How the injury factors into your claim

General damages are assessed against a published compendium of injury awards, together with the medical evidence.^[1] A displaced fracture needing surgery is generally valued higher than a simple fracture treated with a cast alone.

Where the fracture affects the dominant arm, or a job involving manual work, this can support a claim for loss of earning capacity. Physiotherapy, any hardware removal surgery, and ongoing treatment fall under your treatment costs and future medical needs.

Recovery and outlook

A simple fracture generally heals within some weeks to a couple of months. Physiotherapy helps rebuild strength afterward.

A displaced or elbow fracture generally takes longer. A portion of people are left with some reduced movement even after treatment finishes.

What to do next

Attend every physiotherapy session once the cast or surgery site allows. Strength and movement often depend on this as much as the original treatment.

The general deadline to bring this claim is six years from the accident.^[2] This allows time for the arm to fully recover before a final assessment.

Loss of earnings explains how time off work during recovery is claimed alongside the injury itself.