Joint Dislocation Claim Payouts (2026): How Much Compensation for Dislocated Joints?

Joint dislocation compensation claims in the UK typically range from around £4,500 to £197,000, depending on the joint affected and the severity of the injury, including ligament damage, fractures caused, need for surgery, and risk of long‑term instability.

This guide explains the types of joint dislocation, the damage that may be caused, and how compensation is calculated, with worked examples for different body parts and injury severity.

Payouts Table (2026) for Joint Dislocation Claims

Our payouts table describes dislocation by body part set out in alphabetical order together with the amount of compensation you can claim for each.

What is a Joint Dislocation Claim?

If you suffer a dislocation in an accident or as a result of a negligent act (or omission) and someone (or some business) is considered legally at fault – you are likely to be able to make a joint dislocation claim.

In other words – you can make a claim for monetary compensation for the pain and suffering your dislocation causes you. Not to mention the financial loss and expense you suffer as a direct consequence of your dislocation injury.

Types of Joint Dislocation

A dislocated joint describes the situation when the bones in your joint become misaligned typically as a result of a trauma to the joint. They primarily fall into two types, namely:

Full Dislocation (Luxation)

Medically, a full dislocated joint is known as a luxation.

Partial Dislocation (Subluxation)

Whereas a partially dislocated joint is known as a subluxation.

Ligament and Tendon Damage from Dislocations

Dislocations will typically involve damage, tears and strains to both ligaments (surrounding and supporting the joint) and tendons (attaching muscle to bones at the joint). Ligament and tendon damage will typically result in future joint instability and risk of recurrence.

Joints that are especially vulnerable to ligament and tendon damage when dislocations occur specifically include your shoulder, ankle and knee.

Dislocated joints give rise to significant pain and suffering and consequently large potential compensation payouts.

Joints Most Commonly Dislocated in Accidents

Any joint can be dislocated in an impact or trauma (as in a pedestrian road accident or work injury joint dislocation claim) – but some of the most common joints include:

Shoulder Dislocations

Your shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint of all. Unfortunately, it is particularly vulnerable to instability issues following a dislocation.

Elbow Dislocations

Your elbow joint is yet another joint that is prone to dislocation in an accident or traumatic event.

Ankle Joint Dislocations

An ankle joint dislocation can occur in many types of accident, such as a motorcycle collision or construction site fall down a hole.

Finger or Thumb Dislocated Joints

Both your finger and thumb can experience very painful dislocations at the knuckle or at the base of the finger.

Knee Dislocations

The knee joint can be dislocated (especially the patella).

Wrist Joint Dislocations

There are 8 bones in the wrist which can be dislocated.

Hip Joint Dislocations

The pelvic bones (that form your hip) can also be dislocated.

Toe Dislocations

As with your fingers your toes can similarly experience dislocations.

Clavicle (Collarbone) Dislocations

The clavicles (also known as the collarbones) join the breastbone to the shoulder blades and can experience dislocations.

Neck and Back Disc Dislocations (Slipped Discs)

The discs of your spine (whether your neck, mid or lower back are known medically as cartilaginous joints. When a disc is dislocated – it is known as a slipped or herniated disc).

Eye Dislocations

Incredibly, an eye dislocation can occur when the lens in your eye becomes displaced as a result of an impact to your head.

Rib Dislocations

We often hear of fractured ribs – but your ribs can be dislocated if one or more becomes completely separated at the joint.

Jaw Dislocations

Did you know that jaw dislocations can only occur in your lower jaw?

The lower jaw is connected to your skull by TMJ’s (temporomandibular joints). Should your lower jaw be pulled away from either one or both of the TMJ’s – you will have experienced a dislocated jaw.

Basically where any bones join together – there is a risk of dislocation from a large impact or trauma resulting in a joint dislocation claim.

Dislocations and Fractures: Key Differences

No – a dislocated joint and a fracture are different types of injuries, but you might suffer both types of injury in the same accident event resulting in a claim for joint dislocation, fractures and other injuries.

Dislocations and Fractures Can Occur Together

Many times – the trauma, which caused your dislocated joint, can also cause a fracture or the dislocating process can be so violent that a fractured bone can result.

Muscle, Ligament and Blood Vessel Damage

In addition – muscles, ligaments and blood vessels surrounding the dislocated joint can all be affected and damaged.

X-Rays Used to Detect Fractures

To establish if you have a dislocated joint an x-ray will be taken at hospital, which would also determine if fractured bones are also present.

See our fracture compensation claims article – describing what fracture claims are and the compensation payout amounts that you can be awarded.

Joint Dislocation Compensation Calculation Examples

When determining the amount you can claim for dislocations consideration must be given to the part of the body dislocated; whether any fractures have resulted from the dislocation; whether ligament damage has occurred and the risk of future dislocations to the same joint.

Some examples of different types of dislocated joint claim payouts for different parts of the body (listed in alphabetical order), include:

Ankle Dislocation Claim Payouts

Ankle dislocations can lead to torn ligaments, difficulty with standing and walking. Therefore – your ankle joint dislocation claim payout may be calculated as up to £32,500

Back Disc Prolapse (Slipped Disc) Compensation

Most prolapsed discs in the spine – whether the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine will give rise to a compensation payout of between £12,000 – £39,000.

Lower Back Bone Dislocation Claim Payouts

A dislocation of the lower back can result in spinal fractures and the need for a spinal fusion and severe pain and disability. Hence dislocated lower back claims can be calculated up to £196,500

Elbow Dislocation Claim Payouts

The amount compensation you can claim for a dislocated elbow depends on whether ligaments are damaged, the duration of pain symptoms into the future together the risks of further dislocation and disability. Compensation settlement payouts are likely to be calculated between £4,540 – £39,000

Eye Dislocation Compensation

We deal with all manner of eye injury claims in a dedicated article. See our eye injury compensation payouts for more details of compensation awards.

Finger Dislocation Claim Payouts

Finger dislocations can cause intense pain and are likely to attract settlement payouts of up to £6,000

Hip Joint Dislocation Claim Payouts

For the most part hip dislocations can be quite severe. In worst cases – both fractures to the lower back can be caused and the need for a hip replacement procedure. Therefore, the broad range of settlement amounts for hip dislocations is calculated between £7,500 – £160,000

Knee Dislocation Claim Payouts

A knee dislocation can lead to not only a torn cartilage and pain when walking, but also limitation of movement. Therefore – knee joint dislocation claim settlements are usually between £18,000 – £53,000

Neck Dislocation Claim Payouts

A dislocated neck that results in the need for surgery, a spinal fusion coupled with severe symptoms will typically result in a settlements calculated between £16,800 – £68,500

Pelvic Joint Dislocation Claim Payoutss

The pelvic bones join at the hip joint so as described for hip dislocation the payout amounts is likely to be between £7,500 – £160,000

Rib Dislocation Claim Payouts

Our rib injury claim payout article sets out the amounts of compensation you can claim for all manner of rib injury.

Shoulder Dislocation Claim Payouts

The shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint and as such we have written an article dedicated to dislocated shoulder settlements. However – in broad terms shoulder joint dislocation claims will typically be calculated between £15,600 – £58,700

Toe Dislocation Claim Payouts

See our toe injury claim article for details of all manner of toe injury and the amounts of compensation you can expect to claim.

Thumb Dislocation Claim Payouts

Your thumb is generally classed as a more important digit than a finger. Therefore – compensation payments will typically be calculated higher than the equivalent dislocation in a finger. Expect compensation for pain for a thumb dislocation to be calculated up to £9,500

Wrist Dislocation Claim Payouts

Wrist dislocations can cause both ongoing pain and permanent disability. Therefore, resultant compensation payouts will typically be calculated between £4,400 – £30,000

Summary

In summary, compensation for joint dislocation claims varies by injury type, affected joint, and severity. The examples illustrate how payouts are calculated in practice, with higher awards reflecting both more serious dislocations and those requiring surgery,

Free Specialist Legal Help

Take advantage of our specialist solicitor telephone and online help options. You can not only call a solicitor direct or arrange a specialist solicitor callback, but also ask a question or have your joint dislocation claim assessed.

Remember – we can likely help no matter how you have received your joint dislocation, For example – injury in a road traffic accident, at work, due to a pavement slip or trip, injury a shop or as a result of any accident in the UK and some types of overseas accidents.