car crash compensation solicitors

Car Accident Compensation Claims - How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

Have you been injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault? We explain your legal rights to make a claim for compensation.

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Over the last 20 years, Bott and Co have represented thousands of people who have been injured in a car accident, claiming over £101m in compensation.

The support we offer our clients stretches far beyond our award-winning legal services. Your legal right to claim compensation exists to try and get you back to where you were before your accident. Our tailor-made claim process ensures we’re always there for you when you need us most.

Key Points When Claiming For A Car Accident

  • You could be entitled to claim compensation if you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
  • The laws for whiplash injuries have changed. The amount of compensation you can claim is now based on the duration of your injuries.
  • For all other injuries, compensation amounts are based on the severity of your injuries, your out of pocket expenses, and the type of care you may need in the future.
  • You have up to three years from the date of the car accident to make a claim.
  • Our tailor-made car accident claim legal services are offered on a No Win No Fee basis.

Find our your legal rights to claiming compensation

Speak to our award winning legal team now by calling 01625 415 850 or request a call back.

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When Can I Claim Compensation For A Car Accident?

You can claim compensation for injuries caused by a car accident if the accident was not your fault. You may also be able to claim if the accident was partly your fault.

You do not need to be the driver of the car to claim. You can claim if you were a pedestrian or a passenger involved in a crash that was caused through no fault of your own. This includes claiming on behalf of a child if they were injured in the accident.

You can make a claim with Bott and Co on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs or hidden charges, and you don’t pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

A free claim consultation with one of our team is the quickest way to know if you can make a claim and how much compensation you may be legally entitled to. Most consultations take no more than 5 to 10 minutes.

How Long After A Car Accident Can I Claim Compensation?

You can usually make a claim for compensation up to three years after the accident occurred or up to three years after you discover an injury which was caused by the accident.

Why Choose Bott and Co?

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    A History of Success

    We have helped our clients claim over £120m in compensation over the last twenty years.

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    Expert Legal Advice

    Recognised not just within our industry but also by Martin Lewis as “pioneers” in our field.

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    On Your Side

    Completely independent, our only focus is helping you claim for what you are legally entitled to.

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    Fully Regulated

    We are members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your claim is in safe hands.

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How Much Compensation Can I Get For A Car Accident?

Compensation exists to provide financial support to get you back to where you were before your accident. You can claim two types of compensation if you’ve been involved in a car accident.

First, compensation is awarded for the level of pain and suffering experienced because of your injuries. This is known as General damages.

Additionally, you can claim compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred related to your accident. This type of compensation is known as Special damages.

How Are Car Accident Claims Valued?

The introduction of the Civil Liabilities Act in May 2021 means that whiplash injuries caused by car accidents are now treated differently from other injuries. The Act, also sometimes known as the “whiplash reforms”, has changed how compensation is paid for whiplash.

For these injuries, new compensation amounts have been put in place. These amounts are based on the duration of your injury. Our guide to claiming for whiplash explains this in more detail.

For all other injuries, the amount of compensation that can be claimed for specific injuries is set by the Judicial Board Guidelines. However, under the new government guidelines, the valuation of your claim will determine how your claim is processed.

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Car Accident Claims Valued Up To £5,000.

Claims for injuries valued up to £5,000 are now classed as a “small claim.”

Car Accident Claims Valued Between £5,000 and £25,000.

Claims valued between £5,000 and £25,000 are known as “single track” or “fast track” claims. Our solicitors are required to manage these cases through the claims portal newly set up by the Ministry of Justice. One of the reasons for the portal is to improve the speed of the process, including a set period of time for solicitors to reach a settlement.

If the person at fault for the accident admits liability for the accident, our solicitors will agree with the other side’s solicitors for the correct amount of compensation to be paid to you. Usually, payment is received within four weeks of the claim being settled.

If the person at fault for the accident disputes liability and discussions between solicitors break down, the case is removed from the portal and may go to a court hearing.

Court hearings, even at this stage, are rare. However, as the court sets fixed dates, many cases are settled at this stage due to further negotiations by both parties.

Car Accident Claims Valued Over £25,000.

Cases with a value of over £25,000 are known as “multi-track” claims. Typically these cases are when injuries are severe or life-threatening. As these cases are more complex, the claims process can take longer. The Judicial College Guidelines set compensation amounts for these types of claims.

Looking Out For Your Best Interests

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    No Win No Fee

    Our No Win No Fee promise means you are at no financial risk if you decide to make a claim

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    Interim Payments

    We can provide an advance compensation payment where applicable

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    Same Day Payments

    We make immediate, sometimes same day payment upon settlement of your case

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How Are Compensation Amounts For Car Accidents Calculated?

For non-whiplash related injuries, the total amount of compensation you may be able to claim is calculated by combining the compensation you may receive for both General and Special Damages.

General Damages – Compensation For Your Injuries

The amount of compensation for your General Damages is calculated from the Judicial Board Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases which outlines compensation amounts for particular levels of injury.

These amounts depend on the severity of the injury and complicating factors, plus how long it may take for you to recover.

Our interactive calculator below will help you find out how much compensation you may be able to claim for your injury.

Try Our Road Accident Claims Calculator To See How Much You Could Claim

Injuries may include

Minimum amount
Maximum amount

Additional Compensation

The above figure, known as 'general damages' only relates to the compensation you may be able to claim for
your injuries. You may also be able to claim for 'special damages' which includes your out of pocket expenses,
medical costs, and loss of earnings. Contact our legal team to discuss the specifics of your accident and how
much you might be able to claim.

The amounts listed are based on average settlement figures awarded by Judges at Trial and are intended to ensure a fair settlement is reached.

Please be aware that compensation amounts vary on a case by case basis. Therefore, these figures are intended only as a guide towards what your claim may be worth.

As part of claiming with Bott and Co, you will undergo an independent medical assessment. It is following this assessment that we will know an accurate amount of compensation we may be able to claim for you.

A comprehensive list of compensation amounts is available at the bottom of this page.

Special Damages – Compensation For Your Out Of Pocket Expenses

Your Special Damages cover any out of pocket expenses you may have already incurred or will incur in the future.

These costs can be as far-ranging as travel costs to your medical and rehabilitation appointments, additional childcare support, or loss of earnings from your job, through to all of your medical expenses such as prescriptions, physiotherapy, counselling, and adjustments you may need to make to your home, or special equipment required while you recover from your injuries.

It is important to document these expenses as they are incurred. We advise you to keep all receipts as proof.

Special Damages You May Be Able to Claim For

  • Damage to your vehicle
  • Damage to your possessions
  • Insurance Excess
  • Medical care, including Physio & Rehab
  • Prescription costs
  • Travel expenses. (including travel to appointments and parking)
  • Loss of earnings, future and past that are directly concerned with the incident and injury.
  • Any loss of job opportunities, promotions, bonuses or pensions.
  • Costs relating to the adaptation of your home, if required.
  • Any household assistance or care you may require.

Why Should You Contact Us Today?

  • You’ll have access to free legal advice from our expert team of specialist legal advisors who can explain your legal rights to claiming compensation.
  • We can arrange for a replacement vehicle and provide you with a number of medical services such as physio and rehabilitation.
  • Get our expert legal team on your side, and draw on over 20 years of experience successfully claiming what is rightfully yours.
  • We’re independent of any insurers or third parties. We only look out for your best interests.
  • Our legal advice comes with no obligation to make a claim, and all information shared is strictly confidential.

Speak to our award winning legal team now by calling 01625 415 850 or request a call back.

I Have Been Made An Offer From The Other Sides Insurer. What Should I Do?

Since your accident, you may have already received a financial offer of compensation from a third party insurance company. Unfortunately, more often than not, these offers are a fraction of the amount of compensation you may be legally entitled to.

Some insurance companies may try to tempt you into settling quickly with initial offers. While these offers may be appealing, usually, they are considerably lower than the amount you may be entitled to.

The insurance company may want to minimise the amount they pay you, so the benefits of having a law firm such as Bott and Co on your side are considerable.

Bott and Co have always been, and will always be, independent of any insurance company, ensuring you’ll receive completely independent advice about your claim.

We regularly recover many times more compensation than the original amount offered by the insurer. Some clients have come to us after being offered two or three thousand pounds. We were able to significantly increase these amounts to the levels of compensation they were legally entitled to.

In some instances, we may be able to provide an interim payment, so you’ll not be forced into accepting something against your best interests.

Our No Win No Fee Car Accident Claim Promise

We provide our legal services on a No Win No Fee basis. This means if we don’t win your case, you won’t pay a penny.

No Win No Fee is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), and this means we agree to work for you on the basis that we won’t charge any fees if, in the rare instance, the claim is not successful.

This means there is no financial risk to you when making a claim, and it enables us to help you receive the justice you deserve.

We also purchase an After The Event (ATE) insurance on your behalf to cover any legal costs should you not win the case.

However, if you have an existing legal expenses insurance policy, such as one included in your car insurance, then you won’t need an ATE policy.

Whatever your particular circumstances, we will advise you on how to protect yourself against any costs and how we will recover the best possible compensation amounts from the other side.

Simple 4 Step Claims Process

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    Contact us to find out if you can claim
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    We will build your case to present to the other side
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    Medical assessment to ensure you receive the correct amount
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    We negotiate the maximum settlement for you

What Is The Process When Claiming For A Car Accident?

Because we know the legal process can seem complicated, we’ve worked hard over the last two decades to make claiming with Bott and Co as straightforward as possible. When claiming with us, you can also rely on both our considerable legal expertise and our compassion and sensitivity to your circumstance.

The first step is to speak to our experienced legal team to discover if you have a claim. Our friendly, helpful team of legal advisors are usually able to advise you on your initial call, which will take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes.

If you decide you’d like Bott and Co to represent you, and you have agreed to our No Win No Fee agreement, you’ll be assigned to a specialist member of our road traffic accidents team.

As your claim progresses through each stage, you’ll have a specific point of contact to guide you through the process. They will keep you updated on your case and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

Your solicitor will begin to compile your case by asking you to provide all of the relevant details of the accident.

Our guide about what to do if you’ve been involved in a car accident includes information that would be useful to build a case.

We would need to know details of the accident, how and where it happened, and details of the third party (the person who may have caused the accident).

If you don’t know this information, we can sometimes claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB), who will pay compensation in cases where the other driver is not insured or can’t be traced.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need To Attend A Medical?

Yes, in all cases, you will need to be medically examined so we can discover the level of your injuries. A medical report will be compiled detailing your injuries. This will serve as a basis for the amount of compensation you may receive.

Once we have all of the information needed, we will send a letter on your behalf to the defendant. The defendant has to respond to the letter we send within a specific timeframe. They will either admit or deny liability for the accident. If they accept liability, we can usually settle the claim without having to go to court.

The medical evaluation will serve as a basis for the amount of compensation you may receive.

We will deal with all correspondence with the third party insurers, presenting the evidence to them and negotiating the best possible payout for your injuries and other losses.

We always provide strict client confidentiality with all our claims. As a law firm, we’re authorised and regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA), so you can trust in the service we provide. Your data and information are safe with us. We will never pass on or sell your information to any other company.

Will I Have To Go To Court?

For the vast majority of cases, it is highly unlikely that the case will have to go to court and even in these instances, you may not need to attend.

It is only in the rare instance that the person responsible for the accident does not admit fault or that both sides cannot reach a valuation of your claim after a lengthy negotiation that court proceedings are needed.

How Long Does A Car Accident Settlement Take?

Usually, claims will take longer the more serious your injuries are. For example, a mild whiplash claim may settle within a few months, while a severe head, neck or back injury may take considerably longer.

Every car accident is unique, as is the claim process that follows. The length of time it takes for your claim to complete will depend on its complexity.

Claims can be more complicated if you were involved in a “hit and run” and the other party failed to stop, or you were hit by an uninsured driver. Your solicitor will be able to let you know how long they expect your case to last.

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Who Pays The Compensation In A Car Accident?

In most cases, the driver responsible for the accident insurance company will be legally obliged to pay the amount of compensation you may receive.

We strongly advise you to speak with a solicitor who is independent of the insurance company before accepting any offer to ensure the amount you are offered is comparable to the amount you’re legally entitled.

What Should I Do After A Car Crash?

As your solicitors, to successfully claim compensation, we will need to compile a strong case on your behalf. The more information you can provide, the easier this will be and may help you receive your compensation quicker.

This includes gathering evidence, including the other driver’s vehicle registration number and their insurance details.

Even if the accident is considered minor, we advise you to call the police as you will receive a case reference number and official documentation of the accident.

If able, take photos and videos of the crash scene, including damage to the vehicles, the road conditions and surroundings if relevant. Do not admit you are at fault for the accident.

For more information, read our comprehensive guide on what to do at the scene of an accident.

Can I Claim If The Condition Of The Road Caused My Car Accident?

If your accident was caused by the condition of the road, you may be able to claim. The most common instances are potholes or cracks in the road.

In these instances, the claim may be brought against The Highways Agency or the local council, who is responsible for the upkeep of the road. We would need to prove that the Highways Agency does not have any or any adequate system of inspection in place.

Can I Claim If I Was Hit By An Uninsured Driver?

Yes, you can claim if you have been hit by an uninsured driver or if the driver has broken the conditions of their insurance policy.

The Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) is an independent body set up to compensate those injured in an accident when the driver at fault was either untraceable or uninsured. In these instances, the compensation will be claimed from the MIB.

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I Was Involved In A “Hit And Run.” Car Accident, Can I Claim?

Yes, similarly to uninsured drivers, hit and run claims are presented to the Motor Insurance Bureau.

Can I Claim For A Car Accident If I Was At Fault?

Your right to claim depends on the circumstances. Every car accident is unique, and there are usually a combination of factors that contribute to a crash. Such factors may include the condition of the road.

We recommend you speak with our team to discuss your case. It may be that you were not at fault or partly at fault. In all instances, you still may be able to claim.

Even if you think you may be at fault, that may not be the case legally. Contact our team to discuss your case.

In circumstances where you are partly responsible, you may be able to claim under what is called a split liability agreement. This would mean if you were 50% responsible for the accident, you would receive 50% less compensation.

Can I Claim For A Car Accident If I Was A Passenger?

Yes, you may be able to claim if you were a passenger. You could claim if you were a passenger in a car, or on private transport such as a taxi, or public transport such as a bus.

Drivers in such circumstances have a duty of care to ensure the safety of all of their passengers. The transport company operating public transport is also liable for the maintenance of its vehicles.

Can I Claim For A Car Accident On Behalf Of Someone Else?

Yes, you can claim on behalf of someone else if you are a parent, carer or guardian of a close family member. They must either be under 18 years of age or be mentally unable to make their own decisions.

In these instances, you would be able to claim as a “litigation friend” on their behalf. Contact our team to find out more.

What Is The Time Limit For Claiming For A Child?

If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, you have up to three years from the date you turn 18 to claim.

However, a child can claim before then if they have a “litigation friend” who is usually a parent or guardian who can claim on their behalf.

What Is The Time Limit For Claiming For Someone Lacking Mental Capacity?

There is no time limit for someone unable to claim for themselves due to diminished mental capacity. Should they regain normal mental capacity, the three year time period will apply from that date.

What Is The Time Limit For Claiming For Car Accidents Abroad?

The window of time to claim for a car accident abroad may be different to the UK. This can vary based on which country the accident took place. However, it may still be possible to claim under UK law, depending on the circumstances.

Do You Offer Interim Payments?

In straightforward and minor cases where more than one medical report is required, it may be possible to request an interim payment.

We recommend that you speak to our team about your circumstances. We will then be able to advise. In more serious cases, interim payments are also requested at the very beginning of the case.

Average Compensation Claim Amounts For Car Accidents (Updated November 2024)

Part of Body Level of Injury Compensation Amount Injuries May Include
Head Injury Severe £247,280 – £354,260 Badly disabled, brain damage with little or no response. Includes people in a vegetative state in need of full time nursing. At the lower end, cases resulting in minimally conscious state with life expectancy of less than 15 years.
Head Injury Serious £192,090 – £247,280 Serious physical symptoms or a significant change to your intellect or personality. It could cause substantial dependence on others, paralysis and reduced life expectancy.
Head Injury Moderate £13,430 – £192,090 Symptoms can range from minor personality change, depression, poor concentration, and a small risk of epilepsy. At the top end of the bracket, symptoms could result in permanent vegetative state, high risk of epilepsy and some intellectual deficit.
Head Injury Minor £1,940 – £11,200 In these cases, if there has been any brain damage, there is likely to have been a recovery within a few weeks. Awards can be influenced by the presence or absence of headaches.
Eye Injury Severe £56,070 – £354,260 Injuries leading to complete blindness, or blinded in one eye and/ or severely reduced vision in other.
Eye Injury Serious £7,990 – £57,590 Injuries leading to the loss of an eye, lost sight in one eye or suffering some but not total visual impairment.
Eye Injury Minor £1,930 – £7,650 Minor injuries, such as being struck in the eye, explosion to fumes, or being splashed by liquids. In the majority of cases, recovery is within a few weeks.
Ear Injury Severe £79,560 – £123,310 Injury leading to complete deafness. If injured as child, higher compensation may apply is there is a loss of speech.
Ear Injury Serious £27,450 – £39,940 Loss of total hearing in one ear, amounts dependent on additional symptoms such as dizziness and tinnitus.
Ear Injury Moderate £11,040 – £26,040 Compensation amount apply for those suffering from partial hearing loss to mild or severe tinnitus.
Ear Injury Minor Up to £6,140 Very slight or occasional tinnitus, possible NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss).
Facial Injury Severe £26,120 – £85,340 Facial disfigurement, very serious multiple fractures to the jaw, (resulting in eating restrictions and risk of arthritis in the joints) chronic tooth pain, or scarring, amounts depending on how seriously affected. Men could receive less for facial disfigurement than women with same injury. Typically teens to early 30s, those psychologically damaged receive higher awards.
Facial Injury Serious £15,750 – £42,460 Facial fractures such as broken jaw or nose. Amounts dependent on severity. Also apply to broken, damaged or lost teeth.
Facial Injury Minor £1,500 – £7,650 Facial injury that didn’t include broken bones and left only very light or no scarring. Cases may include loss or damage to two front teeth or less, simple fractures of the jaw and nose with full recovery.
Neck Injury Severe £39,870 – £130,060 Neck injuries involving serious fractures, damage to discs and partial paraplegia. Cases also include severe soft tissue damage, leading to chronic pain conditions and significant disability of a permanent nature.
Neck Injury Moderate £6,920 – £33,750 Injuries such as fractures or dislocations which may result in spinal fusion. Cases may include disc lesion, cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement, permanent recurring pain. Also injuries which have accelerated a pre-existing condition.
Back Injury Severe £34,000 – £141,150 Back injury usually requiring surgery such as damaged spinal cord leading to partial paralysis, loss of bowel/bladder function and psychological issues. Cases may include nerve root damage, disc lesions, fractures, impaired agility, personality change and arthritis.
Back Injury Moderate £10,970 – £34,000 Compression or crushed fracture of the lumbar spine causing a large risk of osteoarthritis and constant pain. May include spinal fusion, prolapsed disc requiring surgery and prolonged acceleration or exacerbation of a pre-existing back condition.
Back Injury Minor £2,150 – £10,970 Soft tissue injuries, including less serious strains and sprains and disc prolapses. Full recovery takes place between 3 months and 5 years.
Shoulder Injury Severe £16,830 – £42,110 Injuries associated with damages to the neck and the brachial plexus resulting in significant disability.
Shoulder Injury Serious £4,520 – £16,830 Serious injuries may include fractures to the humerus, fractures to the clavicle and rotator cuff tears leading to surgery.
Shoulder Injury Minor £2,150 – £6,920 Suffered pain from a soft tissue injury lasting 3 months to less than 2 years, but have eventually had a full recovery.
Injury To Pelvis and Hips Severe £34,340 – £114,810 Severe hip or pelvis fractures that have led to bowel damage or have required a spinal fusion. Amounts depend on long-term effects (e.g. child-birth complications) and likelihood of more surgery. Injuries include minor fractures resulting in hip replacement.
Injury To Pelvis and Hips Moderate £11,040 – £34,340 Injury that required a hip operation / replacement (or may lead to you requiring one in the future), but are unlikely to suffer from any serious disability as a result.
Injury To Pelvis and Hips Minor £3,460 – £11,040 Minor soft tissue injuries with complete recovery, where there is little or nor residual disability within 2 years.
Arm Injury Severe £114,810 – £263,060 Amputation of one or both arms. Amount awarded depends on where amputation is, age and the effect the operation has on life and whether there are phantom pains.
Arm Injury Serious £34,340 – £114,810 Arm injury not resulting in amputation, but has a serious effect on ability to use arm(s) resulting in disability.
Arm Injury Moderate £16,830 – £34,340 If there is a degree of disability for a period of time (such as a broken arm) but are expected to make a complete (or almost complete) recovery.
Arm Injury Mild £5,810 – £16,830 Simple fractures of the forearm. Awards at the top end of the scale will include longer than usual recovery periods and other extenuating factors.
Elbow Injury Severe £34,340- Amounts could apply if injury has required surgery or resulted in severe disability.
Elbow Injury Serious £13,720 – Elbow injuries that did not require surgery or lead to a disability, but has resulted in restricted movement.
Elbow Injury Moderate Up to £11,040 The majority of elbow injuries fall under this category. These amounts apply to injuries like tennis elbow, deep cuts or simple fractures that don’t lead to permanent damage.
Hand Injury Severe £25,430 – £176,660 When a person has had one/both hands amputated, or had their hand rendered almost useless by amputation of more than one finger. Also cases where several fingers have been amputated but re-joined, leaving it clawed, clumsy and unsightly.
Hand Injury Moderate £3,810 – £25,430 Injuries like deep cuts and soft tissue damage that have resulted in impaired function of the hand that may require surgery. At the bottom end of the scale, this will cover crush injuries, penetrating wounds and any permanent but non-intrusive symptoms.
Hand Injury Minor £800 – £3,810 Soft tissue injuries with a recovery time of 6 months or less. Less serious injuries include crush injuries and laceration.
Wrist Injury Severe £21,480 – £52,490 Wrist injuries resulting in complete loss of function and significant permanent disability.
Wrist Injury Serious £11,040 – £21,480 Injuries include broken wrist or soft tissue damage, resulting in some permanent disability.
Wrist Injury Moderate £3,090 – £8,970 Injuries including minor undisplaced fractures and an uncomplicated Colles fracture requiring the use of plasters, but recovery expected between 12 months and 2 years.
Finger Injury Severe £7,990 – £32,210 One or more finger completely amputated. Amount depends on which finger(s) had to be removed and the level of disability the person suffers as a result. This includes total and partial loss of index finger and fractures of the index finger.
Finger Injury Moderate £3,460 – £14,330 At the top end of the scale, amputation or loss part of the little finger. On the lower end, If you have suffered from a broken finger but have had a complete (or almost complete) recovery.
Finger Injury Minor Up to £4,160 Injuries such as fractured fingers that have healed fully within 12 months. At the bottom end of the scale, there will be minor scarring.
Thumb Injury Severe £11,040 – £48,080 Injuries include having part or all of your thumb amputated, suffering nerve damage, fractures, or losing your ability to grip properly. May also involve the insertion of wire.
Thumb Injury Moderate £3,460 – £11,040 Injuries including fractures, recovering within six months and at the higher end of the scale, damage to tendons or nerves, causing impairment of sensation. At the higher end of the scale, cosmetic deformity of the thumb.
Thumb Injury Minor Up to £1,930 These injuries may have caused severe pain for a short time, but will have resolved completely within 3 months.
Leg Injury Severe £48,080 – £247,280 Injuries would usually include either a single or double amputation (the higher awards reserved for above the knee amputations), extensive degloving including bone grafting, and in most cases a permanent future mobility restriction.
Leg Injury Moderate £15,750 – £48,080 Injuries including a broken leg, multiple fractures or crushing injuries, generally to one leg. Compound fractures or ligament injuries resorting in instability with a near-certainty of arthritis . Minor fractures with an incomplete recovery or serious soft tissue injury.
Leg Injury Minor Up to £12,350 Injuries that resolve within a few months, including soft tissue injuries, cuts, bruising, contusions. At the top end of the scale, simple fractures of femur, tibia and fibula.
Knee Injury Severe £22,960 – £84,360 Joint injury that has resulted in serious disability, constant pain or muscle wastage. Compensation amounts would depend on whether you are likely to need surgery in the future and the effects your injury will have on your life.
Knee Injury Moderate £13,010 – £22,960 Serious damage to the kneecap, ligaments or muscles, resulting in some disability with continued pain and discomfort. Also included are injuries involving dislocation, torn meniscus or acceleration type injuries over a prolonged period of years.
Knee Injury Minor Up to £12,050 Injuries involving twisting, lacerations or bruising, where there is continuous aching or discomfort. At the bottom end of the scale, soft tissue injuries resolving in a few months.
Ankle Injury Severe £43,900 – £61,110 Severe ankle injury leading to serious deformity, disability or even the possibility of amputation in the long-term.
Ankle Injury Moderate £12,050 – £43,900 Ankle injury requiring operation/plaster. Amount depends on if injury affects ability to work and if you need special footwear. Fractures, ligamentous tears, which lead to less serious disabilities when walking/standing, risk of future osteoarthritis.
Ankle Injury Minor Up to £12,050 Minor or undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligamentous injuries where there is an element of scarring. At the bottom end of the scale, injuries where recovery is complete without scarring and within a year.
Achilles Injury Severe £21,910 – Muscles have been severed and this has led to restricted ankle movement. Injuries include a limp and residual scarring, and where further improvement is unlikely.
Achilles Injury Moderate £11,040 – Cases involving partial rupture or significant injury to the tendon. At the top end of the scale, injuries involving disability and permanent scarring.
Achilles Injury Minor £6,800 – £11,040 Tendon damage to the ankle, resulting in minor instability. At the top end of the scale, cases may involve scarring.
Foot Injury Severe £73,620 – £176,600 Amputation of one or both feet, including traumatic amputation of the forefoot where there was a significant risk of the need for full amputation.
Foot Injury Moderate £12,050 – £61,410 Fractures of both heels with restriction on mobility, including degloving, heel fusion and deformity. At the bottom end of the scale, injuries will include metatarsal fractures, resulting in permanent deformity and continuing symptoms.
Foot Injury Minor Up to £12,050 Injuries include ruptured ligaments, puncture wounds where symptoms include a permanent limp, pain or aching, minor fractures, lacerations or contusions from which a complete recovery has been made within 2 years.
Toe Injury Severe £12,050 – £49,180 Amputation of all of your toes or your big toe. Amount depends on whether you lost your toe(s) in an incident or had them surgically removed. Severe crush injuries leading to amputation of one or two toes, but not the big toe.
Toe Injury Moderate £8,420 – £12,050 Injuries include multiple fractures or crush injury to two or more toes including the big toe. At the top end of the scale, there will be some permanent disability, and there will have been a number of unsuccessful operations.
Toe Injury Minor Up to £8,420 Injuries include one or more broken toes. Compensation amounts will depend on how quickly you recover and whether or not you will suffer long-term symptoms. Injuries at the bottom end of the scale will have resolved completely within a short space of time.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Severe £52,490 – £88,270 Cases will involve permanent effects which prevent the injured person from working at all, or at least from functioning at the pre-trauma level. Cases arising as a result of a traumatic event/accident.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Moderate £22,290 – £52,490 This category involves the same type of symptoms as the severe category, but there is a much better prognosis, with a likely recovery with professional help over a number of years.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Minor £3,460 – £7,170 At the top end of the scale, the injured person will have largely recovered, and any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling. At the bottom end of the scale, virtually a full recovery will be made within 2 years.
Scarring (not facial) Severe £6,870 – £19,930 A number of noticeable laceration scars or single disfiguring scars.
Scarring (not facial) Moderate Up to £7,580 At the top end of the scale, the injured person will have largely recovered, and any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling. At the bottom end of the scale, virtually a full recovery will be made within 2 years.
Scarring (not facial) Minor £2,080 – £6,870 A single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars of leg, arm or hand, with some minor cosmetic deficit.