Drop foot, also known as foot drop, is a condition characterised by difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot. This results in dragging the foot or toes along the ground while walking. Drop foot can result in long term physical challenges, such as being unable to work, having to stop participating in sports or activities, and overall difficulty in everyday tasks.If you have suffered from drop foot as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for drop foot. A drop foot solicitor from our team at Beacon Law can offer legal advice and assist you in getting the compensation you are entitled.

Accidents that lead to drop foot compensation claims

Compensation for drop foot claims often arise from accidents that result in injuries or medical conditions affecting the peroneal nerves, muscles, or bones associated with foot movement. Some common accidents leading to drop foot and subsequent compensation claims include:

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents:
   • Car collisions, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents can cause traumatic injuries to the legs, spine, or nerves, leading to drop foot.
2. Workplace Injuries:
   • Falls from heights, machinery accidents, or workplace trauma can result in foot injuries that cause drop foot. Workers may file compensation claims against employers for occupational accidents.
3. Sports Injuries:
   • High-impact sports or activities can lead to injuries affecting the nerves or muscles, potentially causing drop foot. Athletes may seek compensation for a foot injury sustained during organised sports.
4. Slip and Fall Accidents:
   • Slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained premises can contribute to slip and fall accidents, leading to injuries that may result in drop foot. Property owners may be liable for negligence.
5. Medical Malpractice:
   • Surgical errors, nerve damage during medical procedures, or misdiagnoses may contribute to conditions causing drop foot. Patients may file compensation claims against healthcare providers for medical malpractice.
6. Defective Products:
   • Faulty medical devices, footwear, or other products can lead to injuries causing drop foot. Product liability claims may be pursued against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers.
7. Construction Accidents:
   • Falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, or machinery accidents at construction sites can result in severe injuries, including those leading to drop foot. Compensation claims may involve construction companies, contractors, or equipment manufacturers.
8. Assault or Violence:
   • Physical assaults or acts of violence can cause injuries leading to drop foot. In such cases, victims may seek compensation for drop foot from the assailant or pursue legal action against negligent parties, such as property owners or event organisers.

It is essential for individuals facing drop foot due to accidents to consult with legal professionals to assess the circumstances, determine liability, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other related damages.

Making a drop foot compensation claim

Making a claim for compensation can seem overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the processes involved. To start your claim, reach out to Beacon Law using the provided contact information or fill out the form for a call back from a solicitor. They will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Then, on matters where we can act on your behalf, we will contact the defendant. Our communication to the defendant will consist of a notification of the claim and a request for their stance on liability alongside any evidence we may have at the time.

Whilst we await the defendant’s response, we will collect more evidence. Further to the information which you have already provided us, we can note more details regarding the claim and begin to build a case. At this point, we can contact witnesses for statements to support your claim.

Once the defendant responds, we will assess their position on liability. In ideal situations, a defendant will accept our position on liability and propose a settlement. From this point, we can negotiate a settlement figure.

Sometimes, the defendant will deny liability, and we will be required to continue communications. If it gets to a time when we believe that the case is not proceeding efficiently as a result of the defendant’s offers or behaviour, we can issue the claim. This means that we will start working towards a hearing in court. However, a hearing is not guaranteed, and it is likely that the claim could settle before we reach the hearing itself. In some circumstances, the case may proceed to a court hearing.

If our clients have any questions regarding the legal process, we are always more than happy to provide them with any further information which they may require.

For more details on the claims process for a personal injury claim, please see our page on this specifically.

How much compensation could you receive from a drop foot compensation claim?

The amount of compensation you receive for your drop foot injury will vary depending on a number of factors. We will base the valuation of your general damages on recent case law, as well as guidelines set out by the Judicial College.

You will also be able to make a claim for special damages, which include additional financial losses sustained as a result of your injuries. These can include:

• Loss of earnings if you required time off due to the accident or if you have been required to change or leave your employment as a result.
• Travel costs – for travel to and from medical appointments.
• Parking costs at medical appointments.
• Care and Assistance compensation for any paid or additional unpaid care required as a result of the accident; this can include care provided by a family member.
• Medical treatment costs.
• Costs of making any required adjustments to your home as the result of your injuries.

You should ensure that you keep all receipts and invoices for your additional losses, as these will be required to prove your losses.

Time limits for drop foot claims

Before starting your drop foot claim, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the accident that caused the drop foot injuries, the injured party will have 3 years in which to commence proceedings for claiming compensation for drop foot injuries.

It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule:

For example, if the claimant was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, they have until their 21^st birthday to make their compensation claim. In the meantime, provided that the claimant is still under the age of 18, a litigation friend such as a parent, guardian, or close family member could claim compensation on their behalf.

Another exception to the 3 year time limit occurs when the claimant who has suffered a drop foot injury does not have the mental capacity to begin their compensation claim. In this case, a close family member or friend can claim on their behalf.

Why choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law are a law firm of specialist personal injury solicitors. We have helped many of our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries sustained as the result of an accident at work, road traffic accidents, accidents in public places, and accidents whilst receiving medical treatment.

We have years of experience in assisting those who have experienced all types of drop foot injuries. We deal with personal injury claims on a daily basis and have vast experience in injury-related cases.