Facial injury
compensation claims

If a facial injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Facial injuries from accidents or violence can be particularly traumatic, potentially affecting your appearance and self-esteem.

If you have been affected by a facial injury, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Compensation may be awarded for surgical repair, therapy, and any psychological counselling for the emotional consequences of your injury.

You can make a compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

You are not alone

The Centre for Workforce Intelligence estimates that over half a million people in the UK suffer from facial injuries. One in three of these injuries will require a stay in hospital or treatment from a specialist. Facial injuries can be caused by several different factors, including accidents at work, road traffic accidents, assaults or fires.

Facial injuries is an umbrella term that encompasses several types of condition. Facial injuries can take the form of bruising, nerve damage or broken bones. If fractures are sustained in the nasal area, a person's breathing can be affected. Other types of facial injuries include: burns, damage to teeth, scarring and conditions relating to the eyes.

If you decide to make a facial injury claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you deserve.

Who is responsible?

Culpability for facial injuries is very much dependent on the environment in which they have occurred. For example, if you have suffered burns to your face because of exposure to toxic chemicals or even a fire whilst you are at work, it is likely that your employer will be responsible. Employers have a duty to protect their staff against such occurrences, and if they have failed to do this, they can be held liable for injuries sustained as a result.

Most employers protect themselves with public liability insurance. If you pursue a claim for compensation for facial injuries, the payment is likely to be covered by this insurance.

If your face has been injured as the result of a road traffic accident, such as a collision with another vehicle, it is probable that the driver responsible for the accident can be held accountable for what has happened. The driver's insurance company is likely to be the source of any compensation award paid to claimants.

Facial injuries sometimes occur because of a physical assault. If you are attacked by a person or group, and your face is damaged as a result, you are likely to be able to claim compensation. If you are unable to identify your attacker, or they are never found, you could still have a claim. The case can be lodged against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, a government run that is designed to assist people who are hurt as a consequence of people engaging in criminal acts.

Some facial injuries are sustained because a person has slipped and fallen. If this takes place within a commercial environment, such as a shop or café, it is probable that the owner of the business will be held responsible. This is particularly valid if the accident was caused by a preventable variable, such as a spill or uneven flooring.

What should I do following a facial injury

If you have facial injuries that were caused by the negligence of another party, such as your employer or a commercial organisation, it is likely that you will be able to claim compensation. A compensation award accounts for pain and suffering, time off work, scarring and long term consequences on a person's health and well-being.

The panel of solicitors have years of experience of dealing with facial injury compensation cases, and will work hard to ensure that you receive as much redress as possible for your accident. This will not change what has happened, but can help you to cope with the consequences and cover your costs.

How much compensation can I claim for a facial injury?

The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:

• the seriousness of your injury, and
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.

General damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).

Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

If it can be proved that your injury left you unable to work, special damages can be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your facial injury such as pain medication, antibiotics and surgical repair.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

Average facial injury general damages compensation

The following facial injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Sixteenth Edition by the Judicial College.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Can I claim for PTS or other psychological trauma?

Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.

According to our 2023 Personal Injury Claimant Survey shows that 29.03% of potential claimants sustained a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.

Facial injuries can cause concerns about appearance and lead to depression, anxiety, social anxiety (social phobia), and body image issues.

Compensation for psychological harm can help you access mental health support and therapies not always available through the NHS.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

What happened?

The claims process for a facial injury will depend on where and how the accident happened. Click the icons below for more information:

Work
accidents

Public
places

Road
accidents

Medical
negligence

Other
accidents

FAQs

How long does an injury claim take?

What are my chances of winning my claim?

Will my claim go to court?

Can I claim for someone else?

How long do I have to make an injury claim?

What if a child was injured?

How we can help you with your injury claim

Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.

• FREE
  consultation
• Find out
  if you can claim
• No obligation
  to start a claim

Handled with the utmost professionalism... extremely kind, courteous and empathetic.

The Good Solicitor Guide

Kevin Walker obtains £80,000 for a construction worker's catastrophic hand injury

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Author:
Chris Salmon, Director

About the author

Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Legal Services. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.