If you were involved in a car accident on South African roads, and happen to get injuries involving your ribs (broken ribs), RAF will compensate you accordingly. But the payments will be based on how severe your rib injuries are, how the injury affected your life and ability to earn, and also whether or not the injury caused long-term damage or complications.
On this page, we will break down all the various types of broken ribs injuries and how RAF would compensate you accordingly, based on real payout trends and court cases related to broken rib injury claims over the years till 2025.
Unlike other injuries, broken ribs from a car accident can attract relatively high payouts. This is because broken ribs are often extremely painful, can lead to difficulty breathing, lung punctures, or chest complications, and in many cases, limit a person’s ability to work or perform daily activities for several weeks or months.
How Much Does RAF Pay for Broken Ribs in South Africa?
For broken ribs, RAF usually pays out between R60 000 and R750 000, depending on the details of your case. Some rare and extreme cases even reached over R1 million, but these are linked to multiple injuries including chest trauma or loss of income combined with long-term treatment.
Now let’s break down these payouts into categories based on how serious your rib injuries are:
Category 1: Minor Rib Fractures
- RAF Payout Range: R60 000 – R120 000
- Injury Details: Single or two fractured ribs, no lung damage, healed within 6–8 weeks.
- Complications: Minimal. Pain management and rest were enough.
- RAF Consideration: Usually only general damages paid, no income loss.
Category 2: Multiple Rib Fractures (3–5 ribs)
- RAF Payout Range: R120 000 – R350 000
- Injury Details: More than 2 ribs broken on one side. Moderate chest pain and difficulty with movement.
- Complications: Extended recovery time, potential for lung bruising.
- RAF Consideration: General damages + short-term loss of income if applicable.
Category 3: Complicated Rib Fractures with Lung or Chest Injury
- RAF Payout Range: R350 000 – R650 000
- Injury Details: Broken ribs caused pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or required surgery.
- Complications: Short-term hospitalisation, oxygen support, ongoing physio.
- RAF Consideration: Pain and suffering, hospital costs, and loss of income paid.
Category 4: Multiple Rib Fractures with Long-Term Impact
- RAF Payout Range: R650 000 – R1 200 000+
- Injury Details: Broken ribs on both sides, flail chest, permanent breathing difficulties or work disability.
- Complications: Long hospital stays, potential for chronic pain or deformity.
- RAF Consideration: Full compensation includes loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, medical aid top-ups, and sometimes caregiver support.
Remember: These payout figures are based on case reviews, historical RAF settlements, and High Court awards in South Africa. Every claim is assessed on its own facts, including age, employment, recovery, and medical expert reports.
How Are Broken Ribs Car Accident Injuries Determined?
You may wonder how these broken rib injuries are actually assessed and confirmed. For RAF to reach a proper settlement for your broken rib injuries from a car accident, the following need to be in place:
- A full medical report from a qualified doctor showing the number of ribs affected, and whether there were complications like lung injury, spine injury, or chest wall trauma.
- X-rays or CT scans must confirm the fractures and location.
- Detailed records of treatment, including hospital stays, pain medication, physiotherapy, and follow-ups.
- Proof of how the injury affected your life, such as time off work, inability to perform daily tasks, or long-term pain.
- A medico-legal report from a specialist (often requested by RAF attorneys or your own lawyer) that outlines the seriousness of the injury in legal terms.
There are lawyers who help clients file claims for all RAF-related matters, including broken ribs injury claims. These lawyers will also manage the process of getting the right medical reports that will either support or disqualify your broken rib injury claim.
In relation to your claim, the medical doctors will examine your physical condition, measure your pain response, look for internal damage, and also evaluate whether the injury has long-term impact on your health or working ability.
That’s how the actual RAF payout amount for broken rib injuries will be determined — based on these clinical findings, expert reports, and supporting documents. And all of that forms part of what we’ve already covered in the payout categories above.
For more information about filing a claim with the RAF, visit the official RAF website or consult with a legal professional experienced in handling RAF claims.