A complete breakdown of UK general-damages brackets from the 18th-edition Judicial College Guidelines, explore by body region and severity.
A comprehensive list of compensation payouts in the UK based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) 18th Edition. All figures represent general damages, the compensation awarded for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. Special damages are calculated separately and often exceed these figures in serious cases.
£21 million recovered · 15 years specialist practice
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Injuries may include
Select a part of the body, affected area and severity to see typical guideline figures and example injuries.
Minimum Amount
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Maximum Amount
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Figures are general damages only (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th ed.), and are intended as a guide. Lost earnings, care and treatment costs are claimed in addition.
Compensation varies on a case-by-case basis. 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.
£21M+
Recovered for clients
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Specialist experience
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100%
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Figures from the Judicial College Guidelines 18th edition (Simmons v Castle 10% uplift included). Guideline figures only; actual compensation depends on the specific facts of your case.
| Injury Type | Typical General Damages Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor whiplash (car driver/passenger) | £240 – £4,975 | Fixed statutory tariff, see tariff tables below |
| Minor soft tissue injury (all other claimants) | £3,240 – £10,420 | JCG brackets, full recovery between 3 months and 2 years |
| Moderate back injury | £16,520 – £36,680 | Some ongoing symptoms; no major surgery |
| Moderate neck injury | £18,150 – £33,020 | Acceleration of pre-existing condition or soft tissue |
| Moderate knee injury | £19,610 – £34,600 | Ongoing disability; possible meniscal tears |
| Moderate psychiatric damage / PTSD | £10,810 – £30,580 | Largely recovered; no major ongoing effects |
| Serious leg fracture | £36,680 – £72,440 | Significant but not severe permanent disability |
| Severe brain injury (moderately severe) | £289,420 – £372,570 | Very seriously disabled; substantial dependence |
| Paraplegia | £289,420 – £375,540 | Full spinal cord injury; lower body paralysis |
| Tetraplegia / Quadriplegia | £428,850 – £533,720 | Full spinal cord injury; all four limbs affected |
The table above gives a snapshot of typical general damages ranges for common injury types, drawn from the Judicial College Guidelines 18th Edition. Full brackets for every category are set out in the detailed tables further down this page.
For whiplash injuries sustained by car drivers and passengers in road traffic accidents on or after 31 May 2021, a fixed government tariff (introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 and the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021) determines the general damages award, not the Judicial College Guidelines. The tariff amount depends solely on the duration of symptoms as confirmed by an independent medical expert.
IMPORTANT: The whiplash tariff applies to car drivers and passengers only. It does NOT apply to motorcyclists, cyclists, or pedestrians. If you are a cyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian who suffered soft tissue injuries in a road traffic accident, your injuries are valued under the full Judicial College Guidelines, not the reduced fixed tariff amounts.
Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, original tariff. Statutory figures, verified against gov.uk.
| Duration of Whiplash Injury | Whiplash Only (Table A) | Whiplash + Minor Psychological Injury (Table B) |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £240 | £260 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | £495 | £520 |
| More than 6 months, up to 9 months | £840 | £895 |
| More than 9 months, up to 12 months | £1,320 | £1,390 |
| More than 12 months, up to 15 months | £2,040 | £2,125 |
| More than 15 months, up to 18 months | £3,005 | £3,100 |
| More than 18 months, up to 24 months | £4,215 | £4,345 |
Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025, replacing the original 2021 tariff with increased amounts (approximately 15% uplift). Statutory figures, verified against gov.uk.
| Duration of Whiplash Injury | Whiplash Only | Whiplash + Minor Psychological Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | £565 | £595 |
| More than 6 months, up to 9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| More than 9 months, up to 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| More than 12 months, up to 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| More than 15 months, up to 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| More than 18 months, up to 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
Whiplash injuries with a prognosis exceeding 24 months fall outside the fixed tariff and are valued under the standard JCG brackets for neck injuries (see below). The court may also award up to 20% above the tariff figure in exceptional circumstances. Mixed injury claims, where a whiplash injury occurs alongside a non-whiplash injury such as a fractured wrist, are assessed using the tariff for the whiplash element and full JCG figures for the non-whiplash element.
Where a fatal accident claim includes an award for the deceased's pain, suffering, and loss of amenity between injury and death, the amounts below apply. These do not include bereavement awards or dependency claims under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, which are separate. The statutory bereavement award is currently £15,120 for deaths on or after 1 May 2020.
| Injury Type / Scenario | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (A) Full Awareness: severe burns/lung damage, short period of full awareness, fluctuating consciousness then death | £16,920 – £21,330 |
| (B) Followed by Unconsciousness: severe burns, excruciating pain, unconscious after ~3 hours, death after ~2 weeks | In the region of £14,320 |
| (C) Immediate Unconsciousness, death after six weeks | £5,070 – £10,550 |
| (D) Immediate Unconsciousness, death within one week | £1,440 – £2,930 |
| (E) Mental Anguish: fear of impending death / reduced expectation of life | Up to £5,490 |
These are among the most severe personal injury awards made by English courts. Factors affecting the level include: degree of pain, life expectancy, retained senses, degree of independence, and presence of depression.
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (A) Tetraplegia / Quadriplegia | £428,850 – £533,720 |
| (B) Paraplegia | £289,420 – £375,540 |
| (C) Shorter Duration: paraplegia where death occurs within ~2 years (young adult) | In the region of £65,180 |
Severity in this chapter refers to functional outcome, not clinical classification. Factors affecting awards include: degree of insight, life expectancy, physical limitations, communication ability, epilepsy, and behavioural problems.
| Severity | Description | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Very Severe | Little meaningful response; full-time nursing care needed; double incontinence | £372,570 – £533,720 |
| (b) Moderately Severe | Very seriously disabled; substantial dependence on others; significant cognitive/physical impairment | £289,420 – £372,570 |
| (c) Moderate | Moderate to severe intellectual deficit; personality change; significant disabilities but some independence | £56,890 – £289,420 |
| (d) Less Severe | Good recovery; able to work; residual symptoms remain (e.g. persistent headache, memory issues) | £20,240 – £56,890 |
| (e) Minor (including PCS) | Minimal brain damage; virtually full recovery within 2 years; some risk of epilepsy | £2,920 – £16,870 |
Compensation amounts for brain injuries can vary significantly. A minor head injury with full recovery may attract a few thousand pounds, while a very severe brain injury requiring lifelong nursing care can exceed £533,720 in general damages alone, with total claims reaching £3,000,000 to £5,000,000 or more where lifetime care costs and earnings loss are substantial. See our serious injury claims page for detailed case examples and compensation breakdowns.
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Established epilepsy (generalised motor/tonic-clonic or focal seizures) | £72,440 – £198,320 |
| Other epileptic conditions (one or two discrete episodes / temporary resurgence) | £14,060 – £38,000 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Severe: marked problems with all aspects of life; poor prognosis | £72,440 – £152,900 |
| Moderately Severe: significant problems; better prognosis than severe | £25,190 – £72,440 |
| Moderate: similar problems but marked improvement by trial; good prognosis | £7,740 – £25,190 |
| Less Severe: minor problems; period of disability relatively short | £2,040 – £7,740 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Severe: permanent effects; inability to function at pre-trauma level | £79,080 – £133,000 |
| Moderately Severe: better prognosis with professional help; significant disability | £30,580 – £79,080 |
| Moderate: largely recovered; no major ongoing effects | £10,810 – £30,580 |
| Less Severe: full recovery within 1–2 years; only minor symptoms persist | £5,220 – £10,810 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Total blindness (both eyes) | In the region of £355,020 |
| Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in the other | £84,490 – £140,020 |
| Total loss of one eye | £72,440 – £86,820 |
| Complete loss of sight in one eye | £65,090 – £72,440 |
| Serious but incomplete loss of vision, one eye | £31,290 – £51,990 |
| Minor eye injuries (temporary visual disturbance, full recovery) | £5,220 – £11,540 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Total deafness (both ears) | £119,890 – £144,860 |
| Total deafness (one ear) | £41,370 – £60,160 |
| Tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss, severe | £39,250 – £60,160 |
| Tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss, moderate | £19,680 – £39,250 |
| Tinnitus with slight hearing loss, mild | £9,720 – £16,640 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Total loss of taste and smell | In the region of £51,750 |
| Total loss of smell and significant loss of taste | £43,470 – £51,750 |
| Loss of smell | £33,020 – £43,470 |
| Loss of taste | £25,370 – £33,020 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Total removal of one lung and/or serious heart damage | £133,000 – £198,320 |
| Traumatic injury, permanent damage, reduced life expectancy | £86,860 – £133,000 |
| Damage to chest and lung(s), some continuing disability | £41,370 – £72,440 |
| Simple fractures, full recovery | Up to £5,220 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Serious permanent damage to or loss of both kidneys | £223,800 – £277,980 |
| Significant risk of future urinary tract infection or total loss of natural function | Up to £84,530 |
| Loss of one kidney, other undamaged | £40,650 – £59,290 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Continuing pain or limitation after repair, preventing heavy work | £19,680 – £31,930 |
| Direct inguinal hernia, some recurrence risk, after repair | £9,260 – £12,040 |
| Uncomplicated indirect inguinal hernia, complete recovery after surgery | £4,480 – £9,560 |
Note: For soft tissue whiplash injuries from RTA on or after 31 May 2021 with duration of 2 years or less, the fixed tariff applies (see Whiplash section above). The brackets below apply to all other neck injuries.
| Severity | Description | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| (i) Severe | Neck injury associated with incomplete paraplegia or permanent spastic quadriparesis; little or no neck movement; intractable headaches | In the region of £195,970 |
| (ii) Serious | Disabilities of considerable severity, e.g. serious cervical fractures, disc damage, brachial plexus damage | £86,860 – £172,970 |
| (iii) Severe (chronic) | Fractures/dislocations/soft tissue leading to chronic conditions and permanent significant disability | £60,080 – £73,970 |
| (iv) Moderate A | Fractures or dislocations causing severe immediate symptoms; possible spinal fusion | £33,020 – £50,850 |
| (v) Moderate B | Soft tissue or wrenching injury with disc lesion; serious limitation of movement; recovery 2–5 years | £18,150 – £33,020 |
| (vi) Moderate C | Acceleration or exacerbation, usually within 5 years; protracted soft tissue recovery | £10,420 – £18,150 |
| (vii) Minor A | Full recovery within 1–2 years | £5,750 – £10,420 |
| (viii) Minor B | Full recovery within 3 months to 1 year | £3,240 – £5,750 |
| (ix) Minor C | Full recovery within 3 months | Up to £3,240 |
| Severity | Description | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| (i) Severe A | Spinal cord and nerve root damage with very serious consequences | £120,340 – £212,670 |
| (ii) Severe B | Special features: nerve root damage, impaired bladder/bowel/sexual function, scarring | £97,980 – £116,820 |
| (iii) Severe C | Disc lesions or fractures leading to chronic conditions despite surgery | £51,230 – £92,130 |
| (iv) Moderate A | Residual disability less than severe; e.g. crush/compression fracture or prolapsed disc requiring surgery | £36,680 – £51,230 |
| (v) Moderate B | Frequently encountered backache; prolonged acceleration or exacerbation (~5 years+); prolapsed discs | £16,520 – £36,680 |
| (vi) Minor A | Full recovery (or to nuisance level) without surgery within 2–5 years | £10,420 – £16,520 |
| (vii) Minor B | Full recovery without surgery within 1–2 years | £5,750 – £10,420 |
| (viii) Minor C | Full recovery within 3 months to 1 year | £3,240 – £5,750 |
| (ix) Minor D | Full recovery within 3 months | Up to £3,240 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (a) Severe: often with neck injury; brachial plexus damage; significant disability | £25,370 – £63,450 |
| (b) Serious: dislocation; brachial plexus; rotator cuff with persisting symptoms after surgery | £16,870 – £25,370 |
| (c) Moderate: frozen shoulder or soft tissue injury persisting ~2 years; non-permanent | £10,420 – £16,870 |
| (d) Minor: soft tissue, recovery within 2 years | £5,750 – £10,420 |
| (d) Minor: recovery within a year | £3,240 – £5,750 |
| (d) Minor: recovery within 3 months | Up to £3,240 |
| (e) Fracture of clavicle | £6,800 – £16,170 |
| Severity | Description | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| Severe (i) | Extensive pelvic fractures; ruptured bladder, dislocation; bladder/bowel control loss; sexual dysfunction | £103,580 – £172,970 |
| Severe (ii) | Slightly less severe; distinguishing features such as impotence | £81,790 – £103,580 |
| Severe (iii) | Fracture of acetabulum causing degenerative changes; hip replacement likely | £51,750 – £69,360 |
| Moderate (i) | Significant injury to pelvis or hip; permanent disability not major; hip replacement carried out | £35,130 – £51,750 |
| Moderate (ii) | Hip replacement or possible future replacement; more than minimal ongoing symptoms | £16,640 – £35,130 |
| Lesser | Significant injury but little or no residual disability; recovery within 1–2 years | £5,220 – £16,640 |
| Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Loss of both arms | £318,120 – £396,340 |
| Arm amputated at the shoulder (one arm) | Not less than £181,200 |
| Above-elbow amputation (one arm) | £144,860 – £172,970 |
| Below-elbow amputation (one arm) | £127,050 – £144,860 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (a) Severe: little better off than amputation; serious brachial plexus injury | £127,050 – £172,970 |
| (b) Permanent and substantial disablement: serious forearm fractures with significant residual disability | £51,750 – £79,080 |
| (c) Less severe: significant disabilities with substantial recovery expected | £25,370 – £51,750 |
| (d) Simple fractures of the forearm | £8,730 – £25,370 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (a) Severely disabling injury | £51,750 – £72,440 |
| (b) Less severe: impairment of function but no major surgery or significant disability | £20,680 – £42,290 |
| (c) Moderate or minor: simple fractures, tennis elbow, lacerations | Up to £16,640 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (a) Complete loss of function, e.g. arthrodesis performed | £62,910 – £79,080 |
| (b) Significant permanent disability; some useful movement remains | £32,370 – £51,750 |
| (c) Less severe: some permanent disability; persisting pain and stiffness | £16,640 – £32,370 |
| (d) Recovery longer than 12 months but complete or largely complete | £8,030 – £13,670 |
| (e) Uncomplicated Colles fracture | In the region of £9,820 |
| (f) Very minor: full or virtual recovery within up to 12 months | £4,670 – £6,270 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Total or effective loss of both hands | £185,840 – £266,200 |
| Serious damage to both hands; permanent cosmetic disability and significant loss of function | £73,720 – £111,730 |
| Total or effective loss of one hand | £127,050 – £144,860 |
| Amputation of index and middle and/or ring fingers | £81,790 – £119,890 |
| Serious hand injuries, e.g. penetrating wounds, crush injuries (~50% capacity) | £38,310 – £81,790 |
| Less serious hand injury; severe crush with impaired function | £19,090 – £38,310 |
| Moderate hand injury: crush, penetrating wounds, soft tissue | £7,520 – £17,540 |
| Total or partial loss of index finger | £16,080 – £24,760 |
| Loss of thumb | £46,930 – £72,440 |
| Very serious injury to thumb, near total loss of function | £25,890 – £46,250 |
| Serious injury to thumb | £16,640 – £22,150 |
| Moderate injuries to thumb | £12,770 – £16,640 |
| Serious injury to ring or middle finger | £13,630 – £21,590 |
| Loss of terminal phalanx, ring or middle finger | £5,220 – £10,400 |
| Amputation of little finger | £11,420 – £16,170 |
| Serious injury to little finger | In the region of £7,930 |
| Amputation of ring and little fingers | In the region of £28,820 |
| Minor hand, finger and thumb injuries (fractures recovered within 6 months) | Up to £6,280 |
| Severity | Description | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| Amputation of both legs | Total loss of both legs at or above the knee | £318,120 – £372,570 |
| Amputation of one leg above the knee | Single above-knee amputation | £138,490 – £181,610 |
| Amputation of one leg below the knee | Single below-knee amputation | £129,440 – £175,690 |
| Severe (i) | Most serious injuries short of amputation | £127,160 – £179,560 |
| Severe (ii) | Very serious; permanent mobility problems | £72,440 – £117,210 |
| Serious (iii) | Serious compound or comminuted fractures, or joint/ligament injuries | £51,790 – £72,440 |
| Moderate (i) | Complicated or multiple fractures, or severe crushing, single limb | £36,680 – £51,790 |
| Less serious (i) | Incomplete recovery or serious soft tissue injury | £23,730 – £36,680 |
| Less serious (ii) | Simple femur fracture, no articular surface damage | £12,040 – £18,600 |
| Minor | Fractures or soft tissue with complete recovery | Up to £15,640 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (i) Severe: joint disruption; future arthroplasty likely; permanent disability | £92,130 – £127,110 |
| (ii) Severe: fracture into knee joint, constant permanent pain | £68,860 – £92,130 |
| (iii) Severe: continuing symptoms, less severe than above | £34,600 – £57,410 |
| (iv) Moderate (a): dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus, minor instability | £19,610 – £34,600 |
| (v) Moderate (b): less serious; near-complete recovery or short-lived | Up to £18,150 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| (i) Very severe: extensive soft tissue with transmalleolar fracture; unusual disability | £66,140 – £92,090 |
| (ii) Severe: extensive treatment; significant residual disability | £41,370 – £66,140 |
| (iii) Moderate: fractures or ligamentous tears; less serious disabilities | £18,150 – £35,130 |
| (iv) Modest: minor or undisplaced fractures and sprains | Up to £18,150 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Most serious: severance and peroneus longus, cessation of active sports | In the region of £50,770 |
| Serious: complete division repaired, residual weakness | £33,020 – £39,750 |
| Moderate: partial rupture or significant injury | £16,640 – £27,830 |
| Minor: turning of ankle with some tendon damage | £9,600 – £16,640 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Amputation of both feet | £223,800 – £266,200 |
| Amputation of one foot | £110,930 – £144,860 |
| Very severe foot injury; near-equivalent disability to amputation | £110,930 – £144,860 |
| Severe foot injury: fractures of both heels or feet; substantial mobility restriction | £55,450 – £92,520 |
| Serious foot injury: continuing pain from traumatic arthritis; risk of fusion surgery | £33,020 – £51,790 |
| Moderate foot injury: displaced metatarsal fractures; permanent deformity | £18,150 – £33,020 |
| Modest foot injury: simple metatarsal fractures with limited permanent effect | Up to £18,150 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Amputation of all toes | £48,250 – £74,090 |
| Amputation of the great toe | In the region of £41,370 |
| Severe toe injuries: requiring surgery; permanent disability | £18,150 – £27,830 |
| Serious toe injuries: significant disability but complete recovery expected | £12,690 – £18,150 |
| Moderate toe injuries: fractures with good recovery | Up to £12,690 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Most serious: bilateral multi-digit symptoms; younger person; change of employment | £41,800 – £50,770 |
| Serious: marked interference with work and domestic activity | £22,150 – £41,800 |
| Moderate: symptoms affecting most occasions; employment maintained or varied | £11,420 – £22,150 |
| Minor: occasional symptoms in a few fingers, limited impact | £3,950 – £11,420 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Continuing bilateral disability, surgery, loss of employment | £28,950 – £30,550 |
| Continuing but fluctuating and unilateral symptoms | £19,680 – £21,590 |
| Symptoms resolving within up to 3 years | £11,420 – £14,200 |
| Complete recovery within weeks or a few months | £2,910 – £4,670 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Severe: poor prognosis; greatly reduced ability to work; coexisting psychological problems | £69,360 – £110,990 |
| Moderate: significant effects for a prolonged period; some future improvement; some return to work possible | £37,030 – £69,360 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Severe: ongoing symptoms despite treatment; impact on work and care needs | £55,660 – £83,220 |
| Moderate: variable symptoms; medication reduces impact; employment possible | £27,830 – £50,850 |
| Injury Type | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Le Fort fractures of frontal facial bones | £31,460 – £48,540 |
| Multiple fractures of facial bones; permanent deformity | £19,680 – £31,640 |
| Serious nose fracture: permanent damage; several operations; facial deformity | £14,060 – £30,550 |
| Displaced nose fracture requiring surgery; complete recovery | £5,220 – £6,740 |
| Displaced nose fracture, manipulation only; complete recovery | £3,330 – £4,170 |
| Simple undisplaced nose fracture; full recovery | £2,260 – £3,330 |
| Serious cheekbone fracture requiring surgery; lasting consequences | £13,480 – £20,850 |
| Simple cheekbone fracture, some reconstructive surgery; complete recovery | £5,750 – £8,530 |
| Simple cheekbone fracture, no surgery; complete recovery | £3,060 – £3,950 |
| Very serious jaw fracture; prolonged treatment; permanent consequences | £40,280 – £60,160 |
| Serious jaw fracture; permanent consequences | £23,730 – £40,280 |
| Simple jaw fracture requiring immobilisation; complete recovery | £8,530 – £11,540 |
| Significant chronic tooth pain / damage to several front teeth | Up to £50,380 |
| Loss or serious damage to two front teeth | £11,540 – £15,080 |
| Loss or serious damage to one front tooth | £5,750 – £10,080 |
| Damage to back teeth, per tooth | £1,440 – £2,260 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Very severe: disfiguring scarring; severe psychological reaction; young claimant | £39,340 – £128,590 |
| Less severe: disfiguring scarring; psychological reaction; cosmetic surgery sought | £23,730 – £63,970 |
| Significant: still with some psychological reaction | £12,040 – £39,750 |
| Less significant: minor disfigurement with some psychological reaction | £5,220 – £18,150 |
| Trivial: minor scarring with no lasting psychological effect | £2,260 – £4,670 |
| Severity | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| A number of noticeable laceration scars, or a single disfiguring scar, to leg(s), arm(s), hand(s), back or chest | £10,350 – £30,030 |
| Exploratory laparotomy where no significant internal injury is found | In the region of £11,420 |
| A single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars, with minor cosmetic deficit | £3,130 – £10,350 |
| Significant burns covering 40% or more of the body | Likely to exceed £138,490 |
Note: Judicial College Guidelines chapters on damage to hair and on dermatitis and other skin conditions are not included in this guide as they fall outside the core personal injury claim types handled by Hannah Gold Solicitors. Full figures are available directly from the Judicial College Guidelines 18th Edition.
Minor injuries are those with complete recovery within three months, not otherwise categorised. Note: for whiplash from RTA on or after 31 May 2021, the fixed tariff applies (see above).
| Duration / Nature | JCG Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Full recovery within a few days (up to 7 days) | A few hundred pounds to £950 |
| Full recovery within 28 days | £950 – £1,880 |
| Full recovery within three months | £1,880 – £3,240 |
Figures taken from the Judicial College Guidelines 18th Edition and include the Simmons v Castle 10% uplift. These are guideline figures only; actual compensation will depend on the specific facts of your case.
Personal injury compensation in England and Wales is divided into two components: general damages and special damages. General damages compensate for the injury itself, the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity experienced as a result of the accident. The figures in this guide represent the general damages bracket for each injury type, as set out in the Judicial College Guidelines 18th Edition.
Special damages are assessed separately and cover all financial losses caused by the injury: loss of earnings (past and future), medical treatment, rehabilitation, care and assistance, travel costs, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. In serious cases, special damages frequently exceed the injury award.
Where a claim falls within a bracket depends heavily on prognosis, which is the medical expert's assessment of how long symptoms will last, whether surgery is required, and whether any permanent disability will remain. The same fracture may attract an award at the bottom of a bracket if full recovery is expected within 12 months, or near the top if permanent limitations remain. These guideline figures are starting points, not guarantees. Every claim is assessed on its specific facts, medical evidence, and individual circumstances.
When a new edition of the Judicial College Guidelines is released, bracket figures are updated to reflect inflation, measured by the Retail Prices Index, and changes in court awards. The figures in this guide reflect the current 18th Edition.
The Judicial College Guidelines provide a bracket, an upper and lower figure, for each injury type. Where within that bracket your award falls depends on several case-specific factors:
Prognosis is the single most important factor. An injury expected to resolve fully within 12 months will attract an award at the lower end of the bracket. The same injury with a prognosis of permanent symptoms will sit near the top. Your independent medical expert's report sets the prognosis, which is why instructing the right expert matters.
Credibility and medical evidence: courts assess the consistency between symptoms reported to medical experts and evidence from other sources. Strong, consistent, well-documented medical evidence supports the top of any bracket.
Psychological consequences: where a physical injury has caused a secondary psychological reaction, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance or PTSD, this can either push the physical award towards the top of the bracket or generate a separate psychiatric damages award, depending on severity.
Requirement for surgery: an injury requiring surgical intervention, particularly where surgery carries ongoing risks or does not fully resolve symptoms, will generally attract a higher award than the same injury managed conservatively.
Impact on employment: if the injury has affected your ability to work, whether temporarily or permanently, this pushes the award towards the top of the bracket and generates separate special damages for past and future loss of earnings.
Age: younger claimants typically receive higher awards for permanent or long-term injuries because they will live with the consequences for longer. This is particularly significant in serious injury cases involving permanent disability or loss of amenity.
These factors explain why two people with apparently identical injuries can receive materially different awards. Guideline figures are a framework, not a formula. Specialist legal advice ensures your specific circumstances are properly evidenced and fully presented.
Compensation in the UK includes personal injury, employment, criminal injuries, and financial services claims. Personal injury claims cover injuries caused by negligence. This guide focuses on personal injury general damages, but the principles of compensation apply across these areas.
Compensation payouts in the UK aim to restore the claimant's financial position to what it was before the incident occurred. General damages compensate for physical and psychological pain. Special damages cover financial losses from an injury; examples include medical bills and lost earnings. The Judicial College Guidelines provide the compensation brackets for injuries used throughout this guide.
To put injury claims in context, in 2023 there were 132,977 reported casualties of all severities on roads in Great Britain (Source: Department for Transport, Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2023). Compensation for the most severe brain injuries can reach around £533,720 in general damages under the Judicial College Guidelines 18th Edition.
Criminal injuries (CICA): CICA tariff awards for criminal injuries range from £1,000 to £250,000 per injury, with a total maximum award of £500,000. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority compensates blameless victims of violent crime in Great Britain under a fixed tariff, and claims must usually be made within two years of the incident.
Uninsured or untraceable drivers: victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), provided the accident is reported to the police and supported by evidence. See our guide on claiming against an uninsured driver.
Employment claims: Compensation for injury to feelings in discrimination cases follows the Vento guidelines, and basic awards for unfair dismissal are based on age and length of service.
Financial services: the Financial Services Compensation Scheme pays compensation if a financial firm goes out of business.
Under a No Win No Fee agreement, a solicitor is only paid if the claim succeeds, aligning their interests with the client's. See our guide on No Win No Fee solicitor fees explained.
Hannah Gold Solicitors is a specialist personal injury firm based in West Yorkshire, acting for clients throughout England and Wales. Over 15 years we have recovered more than £21 million for clients. We act for injured claimants only, never insurers. Your case is handled by a senior solicitor from start to settlement. We charge a 20% success fee, not the 25% maximum charged by many firms.
£21 million recovered · Established 2011
No Win No Fee means you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all if your claim does not succeed. If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation. On most personal injury claims we charge 20%, lower than the 25% maximum many firms apply; some lower-value Official Injury Claim portal cases are charged at a different rate, which we always explain clearly before you sign.
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