Hip and pelvic injuries range from life-threatening, haemodynamically-unstable pelvic ring fractures to simple hip-replacement (THR) revisions. The Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition (April 2024) values them in three severity tiers - severe, moderate and minor - with the severe bracket reaching six figures for the most extensive injuries with residual disability. Pelvic fractures in particular attract attention because high-energy pelvic injury frequently accompanies internal organ damage (bladder, bowel, urethral injury) and spinal / lumbar involvement - meaning a competent claim layers multiple JCG categories.
Casibus works with SRA-regulated personal injury specialists on a no win, no fee basis. Every case depends on its evidence.
JCG 17th edition hip and pelvis brackets
Severe - three sub-tiers
Most severe: extensive fractures involving dislocation of the sacro-iliac or pubic symphysis, with significant residual disability - impotence, urological / bowel / sexual dysfunction, leg shortening requiring osteotomy / arthrodesis, lumbar spine damage. Top of the JCG severe bracket reaches the high-five to low-six figures under the 17th edition. Middle severe tier: similar fractures but with more complete recovery. Lower severe: fractures requiring extensive and arthroplasty but with less impact on daily life.
Moderate - two sub-tiers
Significant injury to the hip / pelvis but no major permanent disability. Where future risk of arthroplasty (THR) is present and accepted - the cost of future surgery features in special damages. Upper moderate tier is low five-figures.
Minor
Minor soft-tissue injury to the hip with relatively rapid recovery. Typically low four-figures to low five-figures depending on duration.
Common clinical patterns we see
- Pelvic ring fracture - high-energy RTA, pedestrian knockdown, fall from height; categorised by stability (Young-Burgess classification: LC, APC, VS, CM); life-threatening in unstable patterns due to retroperitoneal haemorrhage.
Routes to a hip / pelvis injury claim
- RTA - pedestrian / cyclist struck by car, motorcycle crash, car-occupant side-impact. See road traffic accidents.
Elderly hip fracture - clinical-negligence and care-home angles
NICE CG124 sets out the expected clinical standard: surgical fixation / arthroplasty within 36 hours of admission; multidisciplinary orthogeriatric care; early mobilisation; falls-prevention review on discharge. The National Hip Fracture Database publishes comparative data on each Trust's performance against these standards. Delays, missed diagnoses (neck-of-femur fractures occasionally missed on initial imaging), inadequate post-operative pressure-area care, and failure to repatriate to a safe discharge setting can found clinical-negligence claims. Where the fall itself happened in a care home with inadequate falls-risk management, an occupier-duty / duty-of-care claim against the home may run in parallel. See medical negligence.
Special damages in hip / pelvic claims
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation.