How Much Compensation Could I Claim? — Personal Injury Guide
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
The compensation you could receive depends on the type and severity of your injury, its impact on your daily life and your financial losses. It has two parts: general damages for the injury itself and special damages for financial losses. We cannot predict the exact amount for your case, but this guide explains how compensation is assessed.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- General damages: compensation for the injury, pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Special damages: compensation for financial losses — past and future.
- General damages are assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines.
- Special damages include loss of earnings, medical costs, care expenses and more.
- Serious injuries can attract compensation for future losses over a lifetime.
- We cannot guarantee any specific amount — every case is different.
How Is Compensation Calculated?
Personal injury compensation is divided into two main categories:
- General damages — for the injury, pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Special damages — for financial losses caused by the injury.
These are assessed separately and then combined to produce a total compensation figure.
General Damages: The Injury Itself
General damages compensate you for the physical and psychological impact of the injury. This includes:
- Pain and suffering caused by the injury itself.
- Loss of amenity — the reduced ability to enjoy life, hobbies or activities.
- Any psychological impact, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.
General damages are assessed by reference to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which set out ranges of compensation for different types and severities of injury. Courts and parties use these as a starting point, alongside case law from previous similar cases.
Indicative General Damages Ranges
Note: These are indicative ranges from the Judicial College Guidelines. The actual value in your case will depend on your specific circumstances. Figures are approximate and may not reflect current JCG editions.
| Type of Injury | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| Minor whiplash (up to 3 months) | Up to c. £2,300 |
| Moderate whiplash (up to 2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate psychological injury | c. £5,500–£19,000 |
| Moderate hand/wrist injury | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate knee injury | c. £13,000–£26,000 |
| Severe hearing loss (both ears) | c. £30,000–£45,000 |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
| Severe brain injury | c. £205,000–£500,000+ |
| Paraplegia (spinal cord injury) | c. £195,000–£266,000+ |
| Tetraplegia / quadriplegia | c. £266,000–£400,000+ |
Special Damages: Financial Losses
Special damages compensate for actual financial losses caused by the injury. These must be calculated and evidenced. Common heads of special damages include:
Past Loss of Earnings
If you were unable to work, or had to reduce your hours or income, as a result of your injuries, you can claim for lost earnings up to the date the claim is settled or tried. You will need pay slips, employer letters or accounts (if self-employed) to evidence this.
Future Loss of Earnings
In cases where your injury permanently or long-term reduces your earning capacity, you can claim for future lost earnings. This is calculated using a multiplier-multiplicand method — an annual loss figure multiplied by a factor reflecting how many years the loss is expected to continue, discounted for early receipt of a lump sum.
Medical Expenses
You can claim for past and future medical costs caused by the injury, including surgery, physiotherapy, specialist consultations, medication and rehabilitation.
Care and Assistance
If you have required (or will require) care and assistance as a result of your injuries, you can claim for this — whether it was provided professionally or by a family member. Care provided informally by family is claimed at commercial rates for equivalent professional care.
Future Care Costs
In serious injury cases, future care costs can form the largest part of the award. These may include long-term personal care, nursing, case management, and specialist accommodation. They are calculated using detailed expert evidence and actuarial calculations.
Travel Expenses
Reasonable travel costs related to the injury — for medical appointments, rehabilitation and so on — are recoverable.
Adapted Accommodation and Equipment
If your injuries require adaptations to your home, or specialist equipment such as a wheelchair or prosthetics, these costs can form part of your claim.
Property Damage
In road traffic accident cases, damage to your vehicle or other property can also be included in the claim.
Periodical Payments
In high-value cases involving significant long-term care or loss of earnings, the court may consider a Periodical Payment Order (PPO) instead of (or alongside) a lump sum. PPOs provide regular ongoing payments rather than a single amount, which can provide greater financial security for seriously injured claimants.
Contributory Negligence
If you are found to have contributed to your own accident or injuries — for example, by failing to wear a seatbelt, not following safety instructions, or being distracted — your compensation may be reduced by a percentage reflecting your share of responsibility. We will advise you on this if it applies.
What We Cannot Tell You
We cannot tell you how much you will receive before we have assessed your claim, obtained medical evidence, and reviewed all the relevant facts. Anyone who guarantees you a specific amount before doing this is not giving you responsible advice.
What we can do is give you an honest initial view, based on the information available, once we have discussed your case with you.