By Paul Carvis

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How much compensation can I get for my personal injury claim?

Updated: Monday, 20th August 2018

When making an injury claim, calculating how much compensation you can expect to receive for your injuries can be a complex process.

Factors that can affect the injury award calculation include:

  • the degree of pain and suffering experienced,
  • the time needed for recovery,
  • treatment costs, and
  • all other financial costs and losses

Our compensation claim calculator is a useful starting point for accident victims. The calculator provides an estimate of the levels of compensation you can expect to receive for your personal injury claim.

The calculator also takes other financial losses such as treatment costs and loss of earnings into account.

Since 2013 online injury calculators have been flawed

Compensation calculators take into account the nature and severity of the injury and then refer to the Judicial College Guidelines* table to give an upper and lower estimate of the likely compensation award if the claim is successful.

Online calculators have been available on personal injury solicitors websites for a number of years. However, many of these rely on out-of-date data and do not consider recent changes to the law.

Major changes to personal injury claims

In 2013 changes in the law mean that solicitors success fees (normally 25% of the compensation settlement) are no longer recoverable from the Defendant and must be deducted from the Claimants award.

So if you are awarded £10,000 compensation you are required to give £2,500 back to your solicitor.

Some solicitors work on lower success fees (including those on the Quittance solicitor panel) helping Claimants retain more of their compensation.

The story doesn't end there

Since 2013 Courts have increased general damages compensation by 10% for Claimants on No Win No Fee agreements. Quittance's claims calculator factors in the court uplift to give you a more accurate compensation estimate.

We also factor in Special Damages awards for any financial losses or expenses you may have incurred.

Accident claims compensation payouts

Do the circumstances of the accident matter?

Calculating a car accident injury claim payout or work accident payout will depend primarily on the nature and seriousness of your injury.

The circumstances surrounding the accident generally only affect your compensation payout if certain conditions apply. These special cases include:

  • Compensation payouts may be reduced in cases of "split liability", where you are partly responsible for your own injuries
  • Criminal injury compensation payouts may be calculated according to a different tariff
  • Car crash accident payouts may be reduced if the driver who caused the accident is unidentified (e.g. a hit and run) or is uninsured

The question should be "How much compensation will I keep?"

Quittance goes a few steps further than other calculators and provides a more accurate estimate of how much compensation you will actually get to keep after solicitor deductions and Court uplifts.

Personal injury compensation claims

Quittance have helped claimants faced with a wide range of injuries and accident circumstances.

Do I have a claim?

If you are unsure as to whether you have a legally-valid claim, or would like to understand more about the personal injury claims process, we can help.

Find out if you have a personal injury claim today, or find more information about the process for specific types of claim below:

Find out how much you could keep

Calculate your compensation claim

We would point out that the personal injury claim awards are still only an estimate and would ask that you read the disclaimer below.

Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury

Table 1. Head, brain and senses

Injury Compensation
Brain damage Less severe brain damage £12,210 to £34,330
Minor brain or head injury £1,760 to £10,180
Moderate brain damage £34,330 to £174,620
Moderately severe brain injury £174,620 to £224,800
Very severe brain damage £224,800 to £322,060
Deafness/tinnitus Either slight hearing loss or slight tinnitus Up to £5,590
Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss £10,040 to £11,890
Moderate hearing loss £11,890 to £23,670
Moderate tinnitus and hearing loss £11,890 to £23,670
Moderate to severe tinnitus £11,890 to £23,670
Severe tinnitus and partial hearing loss £23,670 to £36,310
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight hearing loss £5,870 to £10,040
Total deafness £72,330 to £87,410
Total deafness and loss of speech £87,410 to £112,100
Total loss of hearing in one ear £24,950 to £36,310
Epilepsy Established grand mal £81,310 to £119,650
Established petit mal £43,710 to £104,660
Other epileptic conditions £8,480 to £10,950
Facial injury Simple nose fracture £1,360 to £2,010
Simple cheekbone fracture £1,850 to £2,390
Simple jaw fracture £5,150 to £6,960
Loss or damage to front tooth £1,760 to £3,150
Loss or damage to back teeth (per tooth) £870 to £1,360
Displaced nose fracture requiring surgery £3,150 to £4,070
Displaced nose fracture £2,010 to £2,510
Simple cheekbone fracture needing surgery £3,470 to £5,150
Serious jaw fracture £14,320 to £24,300
Loss or damage to two front teeth £3,470 to £6,080
Multiple facial fractures £11,890 to £19,090
Serious nose fracture with permanent damage £8,480 to £18,440
Serious cheekbone fracture £8,130 to £12,580
Serious multiple jaw fractures £24,300 to £36,310
Loss or damage to several front teeth £6,960 to £9,100
Le Fort fractures of facial bones £18,980 to £29,290
Chronic tooth pain with general deterioration Up to £30,390
Impairment of taste and smell Loss of smell £19,920 to £26,230
Loss of taste £15,300 to £19,920
Total loss of smell and significant loss of taste £26,230 to £31,220
Total loss of taste and smell In the region of £31,220
Injury affecting sight Complete loss of sight in one eye £39,270 to £43,710
Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in the remaining eye £50,970 to £84,510
Minor eye injury £3,150 to £6,960
Minor permanent damage to vision in one or both eyes £7,270 to £16,720
Serious loss of vision in one eye £18,880 to £31,320
Total blindness £214,210 to £214,250
Total blindness and deafness In the region of £322,060
Total loss of one eye £43,710 to £52,360
Transient (short lived) eye injury £1,760 to £3,150
Post-traumatic stress disorder Less severe post-traumatic stress disorder £3,150 to £6,520
Moderate post-traumatic stress disorder £6,520 to £18,450
Moderately severe post-traumatic stress disorder £18,450 to £47,720
Severe post-traumatic stress disorder £47,720 to £80,250
Psychiatric damage generally Less severe psychiatric damage £1,220 to £4,670
Moderate psychiatric damage £4,670 to £15,200
Moderately severe psychiatric damage £15,200 to £43,710
Severe psychiatric damage £43,710 to £92,240

Find out how much injury compensation you could claim

Calculate your compensation claim

Table 2. Neck and back injury

Injury Compensation
Back injury Back injury causing chronic permanent symptoms £30,910 to £55,590
Back injury causing permanent symptoms £9,970 to £22,130
Back injury causing serious permanent symptoms £22,130 to £30,910
Back injury recovering in 2-5 years £6,290 to £9,970
Back injury recovering in a few months at most Up to £1,950
Back injury recovering in up to 2 years £1,950 to £6,290
Serious back injury causing significant permanent impact £59,120 to £70,490
Severe back injury with spinal cord damage £72,620 to £128,320
Neck injury Minor neck injury Up to £6,290
Neck injury bringing other problems forward or making them worse £6,290 to £10,960
Neck injury causing spondylosis, serious limitation of movement or permanent/recurring pain £10,960 to £19,920
Neck injury involving fractures, dislocations or severe soft tissue (muscle) damage leaving chronic permanent symptoms £36,240 to £44,630
Neck injury involving fractures, dislocations or severe soft tissue (muscle) damage recovering to a restricted level £19,920 to £30,690
Neck injury recovering completely in 1-2 years £3,470 to £6,290
Neck injury recovering completely in up to a year £1,950 to £3,470
Serious neck injury involving fractures or damage to discs £52,390 to £104,370
Severe neck injury £36,240 to £118,240
Whiplash Full recovery within 3 months £300 to £1,950
Full recovery between 3 months and 1 year £1,950 to £3,470
Recovery between 1 and 2 years (see "neck injury" for longer-term whiplash injury) £3,470 to £6,290

Table 3. Shoulder injury

Injury Compensation
Minor shoulder injury Up to £6,290
Moderate shoulder injury £6,290 to £10,180
Serious shoulder injury £10,180 to £15,300
Severe shoulder injury £15,300 to £38,280

Table 4. Arm injury

Injury Compensation
Amputation of arms Loss of both arms £191,950 to £239,140
Loss of one arm above the elbow £87,410 to £104,370
Loss of one arm at the shoulder No less than £109,330
Loss of one arm below the elbow £76,650 to £87,410
Hand injury Fracture of one finger Up to £3,790
Fractured index (first) finger leaving permanent symptoms £7,270 to £9,760
Loss of a little finger £6,890 to £9,760
Loss of a middle finger Up to £12,460
Loss of a thumb £28,310 to £43,710
Loss of an index (first) finger In the region of £14,930
Loss of both hands, or loss of use of both hands £112,100 to £160,600
Loss of index finger and middle or ring finger £49,350 to £72,330
Loss of one hand, or loss of use of one hand £76,650 to £87,410
Loss of part of a little finger £3,150 to £4,670
Loss of part of an index (first) finger £9,700 to £14,930
Loss of ring and little finger In the region of £17,380
Loss of the end of a ring or middle finger £3,150 to £6,260
Loss of the end of the middle and first finger In the region of £19,920
Minor hand injury Up to £3,460
Moderate thumb injury £7,700 to £10,040
Serious damage to both hands £44,550 to £67,410
Serious hand injury with full or close to full recovery £4,640 to £10,580
Serious hand injury with significant loss of use of the hand £23,110 to £49,350
Serious ring or middle finger injury causing permanent loss of grip £11,890 to £13,020
Serious thumb injury £10,040 to £13,360
Severe fractured fingers leading to possible amputation Up to £29,290
Severe thumb dislocation £3,150 to £5,410
Thumb injury recovering in a short time Up to £1,760
Thumb injury recovering in around 6 months Up to £3,150
Very serious thumb injury £15,620 to £27,910
Injury to the elbow Elbow injury causing some long term problems £12,480 to £25,510
Elbow injury not causing significant long term problems Up to £10,040
Severe, disabling elbow injury £31,220 to £43,710
Other arm injury including fractures and nerve damage Fractured forearms (between the elbow and the wrist) £5,280 to £15,300
Serious arm injury leaving permanent and substantial effects £31,220 to £47,720
Serious arm injury leaving some long lasting effects £15,300 to £31,220
Severe arm injury £76,650 to £104,370
Vibration white finger and/or hand arm vibration syndrome Vibration white finger and/or hand arm vibration syndrome affecting both sides in a younger person causing a change in job £25,220 to £30,630
Vibration white finger and/or hand arm vibration syndrome causing minor symptoms £2,390 to £6,890
Vibration white finger and/or hand arm vibration syndrome causing symptoms in cold weather £6,890 to £13,360
Vibration white finger and/or hand arm vibration syndrome causing year round symptoms £13,360 to £25,220
Work-related upper limb disorders Work-related upper limb disorders causing continuing problems needing surgery, preventing working £17,460 to £18,440
Work-related upper limb disorders causing continuing problems on one side £11,890 to £13,020
Work-related upper limb disorders recovering completely within 3 years £6,890 to £8,570
Work-related upper limb disorders recovering within a few months at most £1,760 to £2,810
Wrist injury Colles wrist fractures In the region of £5,920
Serious wrist injury causing significant permanent problems £19,530 to £31,220
Severe wrist injury causing loss of function of the wrist £37,960 to £47,720
Wrist fractures and other injury recovering in up to one year £2,810 to £3,790
Wrist injury causing permanent pain and stiffness £10,040 to £19,530
Wrist injury taking around two years to heal completely Up to £8,160

Table 5. Injury to the pelvis and hips

Injury Compensation
Extensive fractures causing serious long term problems £62,490 to £104,370
Hip or pelvis fractures causing long term problems £49,350 to £62,490
Hip or pelvis fractures needing surgery £31,220 to £41,860
Hip or pelvis injury leaving minimal or no long term problems £3,150 to £10,040
Minor hip or pelvis soft tissue (muscle) injury Up to £3,150
Significant hip or pelvis injury leaving some long term problems £10,040 to £21,200
Significant hip or pelvis injury without serious permanent damage £21,200 to £31,220

Table 6. Injury to the legs and feet

Injury Compensation
Achilles tendon Minor achilles tendon injury £5,800 to £10,040
Partial achilles rupture or significant tendon damage £10,040 to £16,800
Severed achilles tendon and muscle injury In the region of £30,630
Severed achilles tendon successfully repaired by surgery £19,920 to £23,980
Ankle injury Ankle injury causing some permanent problems £10,960 to £21,200
Ankle injury recovering completely or leaving mild symptoms Up to £10,960
Severe ankle injury causing permanent problems walking £24,950 to £39,910
Very severe rare ankle injury £39,910 to £55,560
Foot injury Common foot injury, most healing completely Up to £10,960
Displaced metatarsal fractures with permanent symptoms £10,960 to £19,920
Loss of both feet £135,030 to £160,600
Loss of one foot £66,930 to £87,410
Serious foot injury £19,920 to £31,250
Severe injury to one or both feet £33,460 to £55,830
Very severe permanent foot injury £33,460 to £87,410
Knee injury Knee injury causing mild long term problems £11,820 to £20,880
Knee injury causing serious long term problems £20,880 to £34,660
Knee injury that recover completely or leave minimal symptoms Up to £10,960
Leg fractures which include the knee joint £41,550 to £55,590
Severe knee injury £55,590 to £76,690
Leg injury Fractured femur (thigh bone) £7,270 to £11,220
Fractured tibia or fibula (lower leg) or soft tissue injury Up to £9,440
Leg fractures or soft tissue injury causing some permanent problems £14,320 to £22,130
Loss of both legs £191,950 to £224,800
Loss of both legs below the knee £160,600 to £215,310
Loss of one leg above the knee £78,100 to £106,010
Loss of one leg below the knee £83,550 to £109,570
Serious leg injury leaving permanent problems £31,250 to £43,710
Severe crushing injury and serious or complicated leg fractures £21,100 to £29,800
Severe leg injury without amputation £76,730 to £108,370
Very serious leg injury leaving permanent problems £43,710 to £67,410
Toe injury Loss of a big toe In the region of £24,950
Loss of all of the toes on a foot £29,110 to £44,710
Serious injury to the big toe or to several other toes £7,650 to £10,960
Severe toe injury including amputations £10,960 to £16,800
Toe injury not leaving significant long term problems Up to £7,650

Table 7. Minor injury

Injury Compensation
Minor injury recovering in 28 days £550 to £1,090
Minor injury recovering in 3 months £1,090 to £1,950
Minor injury recovering in 7 days Up to £550

Table 8. Chronic pain

Injury Compensation
Moderate complex regional pain syndrome £22,340 to £41,860
Moderate pain disorders generally £16,800 to £30,690
Severe complex regional pain syndrome £41,860 to £66,970
Severe pain disorders generally £33,590 to £50,210

Table 9. Injury involving paralysis

Injury Compensation
Temporary paraplegia In the region of £39,330
Paraplegia £174,620 to £226,610
Tetraplegia or quadraplegia £258,740 to £322,060

Table 10. Injury to internal organs

Injury Compensation
Bladder Up to £112,100
Digestive system Severe damage from trauma £34,280 to £49,350
Serious non-penetrating injury £13,380 to £22,130
Penetrating injury £5,280 to £10,040
Severe toxicosis £30,630 to £41,860
Serious short-term food poisoning £7,600 to £15,300
Food poisoning £3,150 to £7,600
Disabling cramps and diarrhoea £730 to £3,150
Kidney injury Loss of one kidney £24,530 to £35,780
Risk of future loss of kidney function Up to £51,000
Serious and permanent damage to or loss of both kidneys £135,030 to £167,690
Bowel injury Injury with a return to natural function and control £10,040 to £19,520
Abdominal injury impairing function £35,540 to £55,590
Double incontinence and total loss of function Up to £146,840
Total loss of bowel function Up to £119,650
Bladder injury Full or near-complete recovery £18,660 to £24,950
Serious impairment of bladder control £51,000 to £63,720
Total loss of bowel and bladder function Up to £146,840
Chest injury Chest injury causing some permanent tissue damage but no significant long-term lung problem £10,040 to £14,320
Damage to the chest and lungs causing some continuing disability £24,950 to £43,710
Fractured ribs or muscle injury to the rib cage and chest Up to £3,150
Injury causing lungs to collapse £1,750 to £4,240
Injury from inhaling toxic fumes or smoke £4,240 to £10,040
Total removal of one lung and/or serious heart damage £80,250 to £119,650
Traumatic injury to the chest, lungs or heart with permanent damage and reduced life expectancy £52,390 to £80,250
Spleen injury Loss of spleen with low risk of future infection £3,470 to £6,890
Loss of spleen with continuing risk of infection or immune disorders £16,580 to £20,950
Lung disease Breathing difficulties needing use of an inhaler £24,950 to £43,710
Bronchitis and wheezing £15,300 to £20,950
Lung cancer in older people £55,830 to £77,580
Lung diseases such as emphysema £43,670 to £55,830
Serious life-threatening lung disease in young people £80,250 to £108,370
Short term aggravation of bronchitis or other chest problems £1,760 to £4,240
Slight breathlessness that recovers completely in a few years £8,480 to £16,580
Hernia injury Uncomplicated indirect inguinal hernia £2,710 to £5,760
Direct inguinal hernia with risk of recurrence £5,590 to £7,270
Continuing pain or limitation of physical activities £11,890 to £19,260
Reproductive system: female Infertility with no desire to have children £5,280 to £10,040
Failed sterilisation In the region of £8,130
Ectopic pregnancy delay but fertility not affected £2,700 to £16,280
Infertility without medical complication £14,320 to £29,290
Infertility following ectopic pregnancy £27,140 to £81,420
Infertility caused by disease with depression £91,600 to £135,030
Reproductive system: male Impotence for a middle aged man with children £34,280 to £62,490
Impotence, loss of sexual function and sterility in a young man In the region of £118,240
Sterility in cases where it has minimal impact In the region of £5,280
Sterility without impotence for a family man who intended to have more children £18,880 to £24,950
Sterility without impotence for a young man without children £44,710 to £56,870
Sterility, caused by accident, illness or clinical negligence In the region of £112,100
Sterility, caused by accident, illness or clinical negligence to the elderly In the region of £14,960
Asbestos-related disease Asbestosis and pleural thickening with low respiratory disability £12,020 to £30,630
Asbestosis and pleural thickening with significant respiratory disability £30,630 to £84,380
Lung cancer £55,830 to £77,580
Mesothelioma £55,830 to £100,350
Asthma Chronic asthma £20,950 to £34,280
Mild asthma and other chest problems resolving quickly Up to £4,110
Mild asthma-like symptoms that are permanent £8,480 to £15,300
Severe permanent asthma with disabling effects £34,330 to £52,390

Table 11. Other injury

Injury Compensation
Scarring to other parts of the body A single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars not to the face £1,890 to £6,240
After an exploratory laparotomy leaving scarring In the region of £6,890
Burns covering 40% or more of the body No less than £83,550
Several noticeable scars or one disfiguring scar, not to the face £6,240 to £18,120

How much compensation can you claim for your injury?

Calculate my compensation

2016 Compensation Claim Report and Claims Calculator disclaimer

The Injury Compensation Calculator refers to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Fourteenth Edition by the Judicial College.

The general and special damages you receive will ultimately be calculated according to the circumstances of your case. General damages compensation awards vary according to the severity of injury and how quickly you recover.

The Compensation Claim Report calculation includes the 10% uplift in general damages in line with the Jackson reforms recommendation for claims funded by a conditional fee agreement (CFA). Cases initiated before 1st April 2013 may receive 10% less in general damages than indicated in the calculator.

Every attempt has been made to make all information contained in the report as accurate as possible. However the injury claims calculator is intended as a guide only.

A solicitor will need to collate more information about your situation to be able to give you a more detailed idea of a potential settlement amount as well as how likely you will be to win and how long it could take to receive compensation.

Quittance are a panel of solicitors and we cannot accept any responsibility for the advice provided by individual solicitors.

Calculating compensation for multiple injuries

Multiple injuries are usually defined as being injuries to different parts of the body that occur as the result of a single accident or negligent act. The calculation of compensation for multiple injuries, in most cases, will take into account the relative severity of the injuries and the degree to which they have each affected the injured Claimant.

The Court is not likely to "add together" the amounts that would be awarded for the pain and suffering caused by a major injury and a minor injury, if it is established that the pain of the more serious injury effectively masks whatever pain the Claimant would have experienced if they had only sustained the minor injury.

Calculations are determined on a case by case basis, and will take into account the impact that the injuries collectively have had on a Claimant's life. Multiple injury claims can be considerably more complex than for single injuries. For more information, contact a specialist solicitor.

Criminal injuries compensation (CICA) claims

Compensation for criminal injuries paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is calculated on the basis of a specific tariff of injuries. A CICA claim can be made for multiple injuries, with compensation awarded on the following basis - 100% of tariff for the most serious injury, 30% of the applicable tariff for the second-most serious and 15% for the third-most serious injury. No payment will be made for more than three injuries sustained a single criminal incident.

ATE Insurance

Solicitors normally advise Claimants to take out an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy on top of the No Win, No Fee agreement. The ATE policy will cover the legal costs which a Claimant must pay to a Defendant if their claim is unsuccessful either at trial or if the claim is abandoned or settled after the Defendant has incurred costs which the Claimant is liable to pay.

The policy should also cover any disbursements incurred by the solicitor on behalf of the Claimant, e.g. police and medical reports, Court fees, Counsel's fees etc. Policy premiums vary on the case type and the claims record of the solicitor.

Quittance's panel of solicitors are selected for their excellent claims record, meaning that they have access to lower policy premiums.

Quittance are not regulated to provide insurance advice. Please refer to your solicitor for ATE insurance terms and conditions.

Ask an expert

If you have any questions about the claims process or any aspect of injury compensation, let us know:

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