How Much Is an Ankle or Foot Injury Worth in Ireland?
An ankle or foot injury is worth €500 to €150,000 in general damages in Ireland, depending on the part injured and its severity. Awards vary case by case. Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021).
Contents
Quick answers
All figures are general damages ranges from the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), checked June 2026. Most accident claims are assessed by the Injuries Resolution Board. Your financial losses are added on top.
How much is an ankle or foot injury worth in Ireland?
An ankle or foot injury is worth between €500 and €150,000 in general damages, depending on which part you injured and how well you recover. General damages compensate pain, suffering and loss of the things you used to do. Every personal injury claim in Ireland is valued against the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), published by the Judicial Council. These replaced the Book of Quantum in April 2021. Most accident claims are first assessed by the Injuries Resolution Board, while medical negligence claims go straight to court.
The Guidelines treat the lower leg and foot as four separate categories: ankle injuries, the Achilles tendon, other foot injuries, and toe injuries. Each category has its own brackets, from minor sprains up to severe, permanent damage. Your financial losses, called special damages, are then added on top of the general damages figure. The sections below set out the current bracket for each region.
Across the four regions, the most severe foot injuries carry the highest general damages, at €90,000 to €150,000. Severe ankle injuries follow at €70,000 to €100,000, loss of all toes at €50,000 to €75,000, and a severed Achilles at €40,000 to €55,000. So at the top end, a foot injury is worth more than an ankle, toe or Achilles injury.
How ankle and foot injury compensation is worked out
Ankle and foot injury compensation is worked out in six steps. The method combines a general damages figure from the Guidelines with your financial losses. It is the same whether the Injuries Resolution Board or a court makes the assessment.
- Identify the dominant injury, the most significant ankle, Achilles, foot or toe injury.
- Match it to the Guidelines band for its type and severity.
- Place it within the band, at the top, middle or bottom, using recovery time, lasting symptoms and the effect on daily life.
- Add an uplift for any additional injuries, then check the total stays proportionate.
- Add special damages, such as lost earnings, treatment and probable future surgery.
- Reduce the total for any share of blame on your side.
The first four steps set your general damages. The last two adjust the final figure. Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021).
Ankle and foot injury compensation: find your Guidelines band
Select the injured part and how serious the injury is to see the published general damages range from the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021). This shows the official guideline range, not an estimate of your own claim.
Choose an injured part and severity to see the guideline range.
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), judicialcouncil.ie. General damages only. Special damages are added on top, and awards vary case by case. This tool is general information, not legal advice.
Ankle injury compensation amounts
An ankle injury in Ireland is worth between €500 and €100,000 in general damages. A sprain that settles within six months sits at the bottom. A fracture severe enough to need surgical fusion sits at the top. The table shows the current brackets.
| Severity | Typical examples | General damages |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | Transmalleolar fracture with extensive soft tissue damage and deformity, or an ankle fracture degenerating to the point that fusion (arthrodesis) is needed | €70,000-€100,000 |
| Serious | Pins and plates inserted, with significant residual instability and a severely limited ability to walk | €45,000-€70,000 |
| Moderate | Fractures or ligament tears causing difficulty on uneven ground, on stairs, or standing for long periods, with possible future osteoarthritis | €20,000-€45,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 2 to 5 years | Less serious or undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries | €12,000-€20,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 6 months to 2 years | The same injuries, recovering faster | €6,000-€12,000 |
| Minor, recovery within 6 months | A sprain or minor injury with substantial recovery inside six months | €500-€3,000 |
Most ankle claims fall in the moderate and minor bands. The headline €100,000 figure applies only to the unusual case where the joint is permanently damaged. We look at what moves a claim up or down a band in the section below.
Achilles tendon injury compensation amounts
An Achilles tendon injury is worth between €500 and €55,000 in general damages. A minor strain recovers in months. A full severance that ends active sport sits at the top of the range. The Guidelines value the Achilles separately from the ankle joint.
| Severity | Typical examples | General damages |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | Severance of the tendon with cramp, swelling and restricted ankle movement, forcing an end to active sport | €40,000-€55,000 |
| Serious | Complete division repaired, but with residual weakness, limited ankle movement, a limp and scarring | €25,000-€40,000 |
| Moderate | Partial rupture or significant injury, with ongoing low grade symptoms and some functional disability | €18,000-€25,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 1 to 2 years | A turn of the ankle damaging the tendon, leaving a feeling of unsure support | €6,000-€12,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 6 months to 1 year | The same injury, recovering faster | €3,000-€6,000 |
| Minor, recovery within 6 months | A minor tendon injury with substantial recovery inside six months | €500-€3,000 |
One point catches people out. If a foot is amputated, the Guidelines value it as a below knee amputation, which carries general damages of €100,000 to €140,000. A foot injury is therefore capable of reaching well beyond the foot brackets where amputation results.
Foot injury compensation amounts
A foot injury in Ireland is worth between €500 and €150,000 in general damages. Simple metatarsal fractures sit near the bottom. Traumatic amputation of the forefoot or loss of much of the heel sits at the top. The foot brackets are the widest of the four categories.
| Severity | Typical examples | General damages |
|---|---|---|
| Most severe | Traumatic amputation of the forefoot, or loss of a substantial part of the heel, leaving mobility grossly restricted | €90,000-€150,000 |
| Severe | Substantial restriction on mobility or considerable permanent pain, severe degloving or extensive surgery, or a drop foot corrected by a brace | €80,000-€130,000 |
| Serious | Continuing pain, for example severe burns needing surgery and scarring, or traumatic injury with future arthritis and a risk of fusion | €38,000-€75,000 |
| Moderate | Displaced metatarsal fractures with permanent deformity and continuing symptoms, with a risk of long term osteoarthritis or future surgery | €20,000-€45,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 2 to 5 years | Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments and puncture wounds | €12,000-€20,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 1 to 2 years | The same injuries, recovering faster | €6,000-€12,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 6 months to 1 year | The same injuries, recovering within a year | €3,000-€6,000 |
| Minor, recovery within 6 months | A modest foot injury with substantial recovery inside six months | €500-€3,000 |
Toe injury compensation amounts
A toe injury in Ireland is worth between €500 and €75,000 in general damages. Most straightforward toe fractures sit at the lower end. Amputation of all the toes on one foot sits at the top. The big toe is valued more highly than the others because of its part in balance and walking.
| Injury | Typical examples | General damages |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation of all toes on one foot | Loss of all toes, with the effect on balance and walking taken into account | €50,000-€75,000 |
| Amputation of the big toe | Loss of the big toe | €28,000-€45,000 |
| Severe (other toes) | Severe crush or other trauma short of amputation, with significant continuing and permanent symptoms | €25,000-€40,000 |
| Serious (other toes) | A serious big toe injury, or crush and multiple fractures of two or more toes, with moderate permanent disability | €15,000-€25,000 |
| Moderate (other toes) | Straightforward fractures or crush injuries, or laceration injuries to one or more toes | €8,000-€15,000 |
| Minor, recovery in 12 to 24 months | Straightforward injuries recovering within two years | €7,000-€10,000 |
| Minor, recovery within 12 months | Straightforward injuries substantially recovered within a year | €500-€7,000 |
What common ankle and foot injuries are worth
Everyday injury names map to the severity bands above. Here is where common ankle and foot injuries usually fall, although the exact figure always depends on severity, treatment and recovery.
Ranges from the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), checked June 2026. See the tables above for the full bands. Awards vary case by case.
What decides where your injury falls in the bracket?
Where your injury falls in the bracket is decided by your recovery time, your lingering symptoms, and the effect on daily life. Two people with the same fracture can receive very different awards. The assessor reads your medical evidence, identifies the dominant injury, and places it at the top, middle or bottom of the matching bracket.
The Guidelines list the factors that move a foot or ankle injury up or down. They include the severity and duration of pain, the treatment needed, and any scarring. They also include instability or limited movement left in the joint, the risk of future osteoarthritis, and the effect on work, sport and leisure. From day to day work on these files, the single biggest lever is the medical evidence. A clear orthopaedic report that records the lasting effect on standing, walking, stairs and footwear is what justifies a higher band.
Age matters too. The same residual stiffness has a longer effect on a younger claimant, so it can support a higher award. A clear prognosis, one way or the other, helps the assessor place the injury with confidence.
Why your award may be lower than the headline figure
Your award may be lower than the headline figure because most real ankle and foot awards land in the minor and moderate bands, not the severe ones. It helps to set expectations against the actual award data, not the top of the range.
The Injuries Resolution Board, formerly the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) until 2023, publishes award data. Its 2024 figures put the median award across all claim types at about €13,000, with the median public liability award at €13,660. Moderate to severe injuries made up about 22% of awards, so most claims were for minor injuries. Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of public liability claims, and ankle injuries are common in those falls. Source: Injuries Resolution Board, 2024 award data. Put together, the typical slip or trip ankle claim is valued in the minor to moderate band, not the severe one.
Case in point: Delaney v Personal Injuries Assessment Board (2024)
Holding. A majority of the Supreme Court held that the Personal Injuries Guidelines are legally binding and were lawfully applied.
Why it matters. The claimant's undisplaced ankle fracture, estimated at up to €34,000 under the old Book of Quantum, was assessed at €3,000 under the Guidelines. The lower brackets are now settled law, and changing them needs Oireachtas legislation. Source: courts.ie, Delaney v PIAB [2024] IESC 10.
A 16.7% increase to the Guidelines was proposed in early 2025, which would raise the €550,000 general damages cap to about €642,000. It has not been brought into force, because that step requires legislation through the Oireachtas. Claims today are still valued on the 2021 figures. You can read more on our 2026 update to the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Two more things can change the figure. If you were partly at fault, your award is reduced. Under section 34 of the Civil Liability Act 1961, damages are cut in proportion to your share of the blame. A 25% share of blame, for example, cuts a €20,000 award to €15,000.
The value also decides which court hears your claim. Claims up to €15,000 go to the District Court, €15,000 to €60,000 to the Circuit Court, and above €60,000 to the High Court. Most ankle and foot claims fall within the District or Circuit Court range.
How today's ankle and foot figures compare with the old Book of Quantum
Today's figures are generally lower than the old Book of Quantum, sharply so for minor injuries. The Book of Quantum was withdrawn in April 2021 and is over a decade old, yet some online calculators still quote its figures. If a number looks high, check whether it is a current Guidelines figure or an out of date one.
The pattern is clear. Minor and moderate ankle, foot and toe injuries were cut the most, while some severe injuries held roughly steady. Always value your injury against the current Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), not the old book.
What most guides get wrong about ankle and foot values
Most pages quote the top of the range and stop there. Four points are worth correcting before you judge what your claim is worth.
The headline figure is rarely the result. The median Injuries Resolution Board award across all claim types in 2024 was about €13,000, so half of all awards came in below that, and most injuries assessed are minor. The €100,000 ankle or €150,000 foot figures apply only to permanent, severe damage.
Some calculators still show old figures. Several Irish estimator pages still publish Book of Quantum numbers for foot and toe injuries, which are higher than the current Guidelines. Check the source and date of any figure.
A foot amputation is not valued in the foot brackets. It is treated as a below knee amputation, at €100,000 to €140,000, well above the foot injury brackets.
UK figures do not apply in Ireland. Northern Ireland and Britain use different guidelines, so ankle and foot figures on UK websites do not apply to a claim in the Republic of Ireland. Always check that the figure is an Irish one.
General damages and special damages for foot and ankle injuries
Your total compensation has two parts: general damages for the injury itself, and special damages for your financial losses. The bracket tables above cover general damages only. Special damages are added on top and, in foot and ankle claims, they often matter as much as the injury figure.
General damages compensate pain, suffering and the loss of normal activities. Special damages compensate vouched, documented losses. For a foot or ankle injury these commonly include loss of earnings and the cost of surgery and physiotherapy. They also cover custom orthotics or footwear, travel to appointments, and help at home during recovery. Where future surgery is likely, such as removal of metalwork or a later fusion, the cost and the time off work can be claimed too.
This is why the same injury can be worth far more to one person than another. A tradesperson, nurse or retail worker on their feet all day can lose months of income from an ankle fracture. An office worker may lose far less. The loss is measured against your actual job, not an average. Keep payslips, receipts and medical bills from the start.
How foot and ankle injuries happen and who you claim against
You can claim for a foot or ankle injury when someone else's negligence caused it. The party you claim against depends on where and how the injury happened. Four routes are common in Ireland.
Public liability. Slips, trips and falls on footpaths, in shops, car parks and other premises are the leading cause of ankle injuries the Board assesses. The occupier owes a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1995. See our guide to slip, trip and fall claims and to public liability compensation.
Workplace accidents. Falls from height, falls on wet floors, dropped loads and ladder accidents cause many foot and ankle injuries at work. Your employer owes duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. See workplace injury compensation.
Road traffic accidents. Foot and ankle fractures are common in car, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions, often from the impact through the pedals or a direct strike. See our guide to car accident compensation.
Medical negligence. Sometimes the original injury is made worse by negligent treatment. That route works differently, and we cover it next.
Claiming for a foot or ankle injury caused by medical negligence
You can claim for a foot or ankle injury caused by medical negligence when treatment fell below the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner and made your injury worse. These claims are valued against the same Guidelines brackets, but the process is different.
Common examples include a fracture missed on an X-ray in the emergency department, or a Lisfranc or other midfoot injury not spotted. Others include negligent surgery to fix a fracture, a post operative infection that was not managed, or compartment syndrome left untreated until it caused lasting damage. The legal test comes from Dunne v National Maternity Hospital [1989] IR 91. A doctor is negligent only where no reasonable practitioner of equal status would have acted as they did. Proving it requires an independent expert medical report.
Two procedural points matter. First, medical negligence claims do not go through the Injuries Resolution Board. They are exempt under section 3(d) of the PIAB Act 2003 and proceed directly to court. Second, the two year time limit runs from the date of knowledge, the date you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that your injury was linked to the treatment. That date can be later than the treatment itself. For more, see our guides to A&E negligence claims and surgical negligence claims.
Multiple injuries: how an ankle plus other injuries are valued
When you have more than one injury, the award is not calculated by adding each bracket together. A fall that breaks an ankle and a wrist, or an ankle and a foot, is valued using the proportionality method set out in the Guidelines.
The assessor first identifies the most significant injury and values it within its bracket. The assessor then adds an uplift to reflect the extra pain and limitation from the other injuries. The total must stay proportionate when compared with awards for more serious single injuries. Adding the brackets together would over compensate and would be unfair to the paying party. The way the injuries are presented to the assessor can therefore affect the final figure, which is one reason people instruct a solicitor for multiple injury claims.
The size of the uplift varies. Recent High Court decisions such as McHugh v Ferol [2023] IEHC 132 valued each additional injury in its own bracket, then discounted the figure to allow for the temporal overlap between injuries. The court in that case made clear that the uplift is not capped at a fixed proportion of the dominant injury and can, in principle, exceed it. Courts then check the total for proportionality against the €550,000 ceiling for the most catastrophic injuries.
A secondary psychological injury can add to the award too. If the accident causes a diagnosed condition such as an adjustment disorder or post-traumatic stress, it is valued as an additional injury under the Guidelines. It must be a recognised condition supported by expert evidence, not ordinary upset or worry.
Case in point: Coughlan v CGR Construction (2024)
Holding. The Court of Appeal reduced the general damages from €90,000 to €55,000, cutting a total High Court award of €96,758. It held that the trial judge had misdirected herself in placing the dominant injury (a shoulder injury) at the top of the serious category, and that an allowance for future surgery could not stand because it had not been established as probable.
Why it matters. It shows how the proportionality rule limits multiple injury awards in practice. Source: courts.ie, Coughlan v CGR Construction Ltd [2024] IECA 78.
That last point affects special damages as well. The cost of future surgery, such as a later ankle fusion, can only be claimed where the evidence shows it is probable, not merely possible.
Time limits for an ankle or foot injury claim
The time limit for a foot or ankle injury claim in Ireland is two years. The clock starts on the date of the accident, or on the date you first became aware of a significant injury, whichever is later. This is the date of knowledge rule, which matters most where a fracture was missed and only found later.
For accident claims, the process starts at the Injuries Resolution Board. A written notice to the person responsible is required under section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004. Different rules apply to children, where the two years generally runs from the eighteenth birthday. Because deadlines are strict and fact sensitive, it is wise to take advice early rather than close to the limit. General guidance on time limits is set out by Citizens Information.
Talk it through. If you want to understand how these brackets apply to your own ankle, foot, Achilles or toe injury, you are welcome to a no obligation discussion of your situation. Call 01 903 6408 or email info@personalinjurysolicitorsdublin.info. We act for clients across Ireland and no in person meeting is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you claim for a sprained ankle in Ireland?
Yes. You can claim for a sprained ankle in Ireland where someone else's negligence caused it.
A sprain or minor ankle injury that substantially recovers within six months falls in the €500 to €3,000 general damages band under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021). If recovery takes longer, the award is higher. Your financial losses, such as time off work and physiotherapy, are added on top.
Practical note. Even a modest sprain is worth recording properly. See your GP, keep the report, and note any time off, because the medical evidence sets the band.
Next step. Keep your medical records and receipts, and take advice within the two year limit.
How much is a broken ankle worth in Ireland?
A broken ankle is worth between €500 and €100,000 in general damages, depending on severity and recovery.
Minor or undisplaced fractures sit between €500 and €20,000. Serious fractures needing pins and plates, with lasting instability, run €45,000 to €70,000. The most severe ankle fractures, those degenerating to the point of fusion, reach €70,000 to €100,000. Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), section O.
Practical note. The presence of metalwork, ongoing instability, and any future arthritis risk are what push a fracture into the higher bands.
Next step. Ask your treating doctor to record the prognosis and any future surgery.
Is a foot injury worth more than an ankle injury?
It can be. The most severe foot injuries are valued higher than the most severe ankle injuries.
The top foot bracket reaches €90,000 to €150,000, while the top ankle bracket reaches €70,000 to €100,000, under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021). At the minor end the two are similar. The figure follows the severity and the lasting effect on mobility, not the label.
Practical note. Where an injury results in amputation of the foot, it is valued as a below knee amputation at €100,000 to €140,000.
Next step. Identify which region carries the dominant injury before estimating value.
Does a missed ankle fracture count as medical negligence?
It can, if a reasonably competent doctor would have spotted the fracture and the delay made your injury worse.
A fracture missed on an emergency department X-ray is a recognised type of claim, but not every missed fracture is negligence. The test is the Dunne v National Maternity Hospital [1989] IR 91 standard, and you need an independent expert report. These claims bypass the Injuries Resolution Board under section 3(d) of the PIAB Act 2003 and go directly to court.
Practical note. The two year clock runs from the date of knowledge, which may be when the missed fracture was finally diagnosed.
Next step. Request your full medical records and the original imaging.
How much is a broken toe worth in Ireland?
A broken toe is worth between €500 and €40,000 in general damages, depending on which toe and how severe.
Most straightforward toe fractures fall between €500 and €15,000. Under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), amputation of the big toe is valued at €28,000 to €45,000. Loss of all toes on one foot is €50,000 to €75,000.
Practical note. The big toe is valued above the others because of its part in balance and push off when walking.
Next step. Keep evidence of any effect on walking, footwear and work.
Can you claim for an ankle injury at work?
Yes. You can claim for an ankle injury at work where your employer failed to take reasonable care for your safety.
Falls on wet floors, falls from height and dropped loads are common causes. Employers owe duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The claim is valued on the same ankle brackets, with your loss of earnings added on top. The accident should be reported and recorded at work.
Practical note. Workers on their feet all day can have large earnings losses, which form a significant part of the claim.
Next step. See our guide to workplace injury compensation.
Why is an ankle injury worth less now than under the Book of Quantum?
Ankle injuries are worth less now because the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021) reduced the brackets for many injuries, especially at the lower end.
The Guidelines replaced the Book of Quantum in April 2021. In Delaney v PIAB [2024] IESC 10, an undisplaced ankle fracture estimated at up to €34,000 under the old book was assessed at €3,000 under the Guidelines. The Supreme Court confirmed the Guidelines are binding.
Practical note. Some online calculators still show old Book of Quantum figures. Always check the figure against the current Guidelines.
Next step. Read our 2026 update to the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Is there a time limit to claim for a foot injury?
Yes. The time limit to claim for a foot injury in Ireland is two years.
The two years runs from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge if the injury was discovered later. For children, it generally runs from the eighteenth birthday. Medical negligence and accident claims share the two year limit, though the starting date can differ.
Practical note. Missing the limit usually ends a claim, so do not wait until the deadline is close.
Next step. Take advice as soon as you can, and keep your records.
Do I need a solicitor for a foot or ankle injury claim?
You are not required to use a solicitor, but most people do, because the value turns on medical evidence and special damages.
A solicitor gathers the orthopaedic evidence, documents your earnings and care losses, and presents the injury within the correct bracket. This matters most for multiple injuries and for medical negligence claims, which are more complex and bypass the Injuries Resolution Board.
Practical note. The strength of the medical and earnings evidence, not the headline range, is what shapes the award.
Next step. Talk through your situation before any deadline approaches.
How long does an ankle or foot injury claim take in Ireland?
Most ankle or foot injury claims take from several months to about two years, and longer if the claim goes to court.
A claim usually cannot be valued until your recovery is clear, because the recovery time sets the bracket. Where the Injuries Resolution Board assesses the claim, it aims to do so within about nine months of the respondent agreeing to the process. Disputed liability or serious injuries that need more medical evidence add time.
Practical note. Starting early protects your two year deadline, even when the final valuation has to wait for your prognosis.
Next step. Report the accident, gather your medical records, and take advice on timing.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and outcomes vary. The figures above are general damages guideline ranges from the Judicial Council's Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), checked June 2026. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
Sources and references
All figures are taken from primary Irish sources and were checked in June 2026.
Judicial Council, Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021). Ankle, Achilles, foot and toe general damages brackets.
Injuries Resolution Board, 2024 award data. Median and severity of awards.
Courts Service of Ireland. Delaney v Personal Injuries Assessment Board [2024] IESC 10 and Coughlan v CGR Construction Ltd [2024] IECA 78.
McHugh v Ferol [2023] IEHC 132, on valuing multiple injuries, and Dunne v National Maternity Hospital [1989] IR 91, the standard for clinical negligence.
Civil Liability Act 1961, Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 and Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.
Citizens Information. Claims process and time limits.
Gary Matthews Solicitors
Medical negligence solicitors, Dublin
We help people every day of the week (weekends and bank holidays included) that have either been injured or harmed as a result of an accident or have suffered from negligence or malpractice.
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