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NI
★ Northern Ireland · fracture

Fracture settlements
in Northern Ireland.

By 9 min read

A professional track cyclist hit by a car turning across him near Omagh fractured his shoulder blade and wrist; the judge awarded £50,000 in general damages and £70,647 in total. A cyclist struck by a ladder carried out of a roadworks site fractured his elbow and received the agreed £75,000. A 17 year old driver hurt in a crash at a humpback bridge had £275,000 in damages halved for his own fault.

Facts that decide a fracture claim in Northern Ireland

Contributory negligenceA young driver found equally to blame had damages of £275,000 reduced by 50% to £137,500.McAuley v Russell [2024] NIKB 41
Road defectsThe roads authority must maintain the fabric of the road, not perfect its construction; a trip claim with £55,000 agreed damages failed.Caren v Department for Infrastructure [2026] NIKB 37
Your own faultA claim “shall not be defeated” by your own fault, but damages are reduced to the extent the court thinks just and equitable.Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (NI) 1948, s 2(1)
★ band · UK federal frame
£9,110 to £14,080
Femur fracture (uncomplicated)
JCG 16th ed.

The UK band is the starting point. Northern Ireland's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.

★ NI · reported fracture outcomes

What Northern Ireland courts have awarded.

Real Northern Ireland decisions and verdicts, each linked to the court record or official report.

  • Potts v Mills
    High Court (KB), Northern Ireland · 2026
    £70,647 including £50,000 general damages

    On 9 April 2019 the plaintiff, a professional track cyclist, was riding on Clanabogan Road, Omagh, when a car turned right across his path and knocked him off. He fractured his right shoulder blade and left scaphoid, with soft tissue injuries and mild psychiatric effects. Liability was admitted. The judge awarded £17,500 for the shoulder, £17,500 for soft tissue injuries, £15,000 psychiatric and £70,647 in total.

  • Caulfield v JMG Plant (Belfast) Ltd
    High Court (KB), Northern Ireland · 2024
    £75,000 agreed

    On 10 May 2021 the plaintiff was cycling on the Cardonaghy Road towards Ahoghill past coned off roadworks when a worker emerged from the cordoned area carrying a ladder, which struck his shoulder and knocked him onto the road. He fractured his right distal humerus, needing a plate and screws. The judge found the contractor vicariously liable; quantum had been agreed at £75,000.

★ NI · fracture · in practice

What changes the number here.

What actually moves a fracture settlement in Northern Ireland.

  1. 1

    Get witness details at roadworks; the contractor may deny its worker was outside the barriers.

  2. 2

    For sports professionals, keep training and competition records to prove the loss.

  3. 3

    Against the roads authority, show the defect was dangerous, not just imperfect.

★ NI · statute of limitations
3 years from date of injury or knowledge

Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

★ NI · fault rule
Common-law contributory reduction

Common-law contributory-negligence reduction under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1948.

★ fracture severity tiers · UK frame

How the band stratifies.

The Judicial College Guidelines (18th ed.) stratifies fracture into the tiers below. Northern Ireland courts apply the same tier structure, adjusted for state-specific factors.

Severity tierBandBasis
Wrist fracture (full recovery)£3,820 to £10,080JCG 16th ed.
Femur fracture (uncomplicated)£9,110 to £14,080JCG 16th ed.
★ fracture · same region & fault regime

Compare to like jurisdictions.

How Northern Ireland's fault rule and limitation period compare to jurisdictions in the same UK region and to those running the same fault rule for fracture claims.

JurisdictionFault ruleLimitationFracture page
Northern Ireland · you are hereCommon-law contributory reduction3 years from date of injury or knowledge—
EnglandCommon-law contributory reduction3 years from date of injury or knowledgeENG · fracture →
WalesCommon-law contributory reduction3 years from date of injury or knowledgeWAL · fracture →
ScotlandCommon-law contributory reduction3 years from date of injury or knowledge (called "prescription" in Scots law)SCO · fracture →
★ NI · fracture · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer is independently coherent and references the relevant statute or authority document.

Sources

Checked 2026-09-30. Every figure on this page comes from one of these documents.

★ all of NI
Northern Ireland overview

Fault rule, statute, caps, and key facts for Northern Ireland as a whole.

★ federal frame
Fracture in United Kingdom

Fracture band structure and severity tiers at the UK level.

★ all 15 countries
Fracture · everywhere

Cross-jurisdiction comparison of fracture bands.

★ editorial note

Figures on this page are starting points: the UK band adjusted for Northern Ireland's statutory framework. They are not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult a solicitor practising in Northern Ireland. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.