Bruising and Torn Muscle Guide
These injuries are generally referred to as 'soft tissue injuries' [STI]. STI's can be sustained on their own or be associated with fractures. Fractures will usually heal over a period of up to 6 months, whereas STI's can take considerably longer to recover, can be difficult to get treated and may not recover at all.
What to look for
The most common symptoms are bruising, swelling, redness or pain. Whiplash is a classic form of STI.
These injuries are easy to allege, hard to prove and potentially hard to disprove. This has led the insurance industry to challenge these types of claim, often on principle alone.
For minor bruising which does not cause much pain you may not want to seek medical treatment, in which case you should take photos of the injuries. However, for more serious bruising or pain that lasts for more than a few days you should seek medical advice.
How much?
Insurance companies use computer programmes that under-value soft tissue injuries. If you have an inexperienced lawyer they will often advise you accept a low offer. Your lawyer should always advise you on the value before an offer is received, to prevent them fixing their advice to match the offer.
The damages will depend on the injury. If you are already being compensated for a broken leg it is rare to get more for the bruising around the fracture. Where the soft tissue injury is more significant or separate from other injuries it will have a greater effect.
Some figures
By way of indication, but by no means definitive as every injury is different in at least some respect, some STI awards (updated to take into account inflation) which have been given in the past are shown below.
| 1 | Soft tissue injuries to the back with full recovery within about 2 years | £5,000 |
| 2 | Soft tissue injuries to the back with full recovery within about 2 years | £5,000 to £8,000 |
| 3 | Cuts to left arm, STI to neck & back | £3,575 |
| 4 | Severe wrench to shoulder involving STI | £2,480 |
| 5 | Bruising to back, arms & legs with grazes on both thighs and left elbow, for 6 months, resulting in scarring | £2,140 |
| 6 | Multiple scratches, bites and bruises | £1,870 |
Conclusion
Seek medical advice and do not be sold short. Obtain advice from an experienced solicitor.
If you think you are being advised to under-settle your claim then call us for a free no-obligation discussion on 01296 662770.
