Damages for pain and suffering are usually valued by looking at awards made by the courts in similar cases. Set out below are examples of the range of awards made by the courts for injuries falling into various categories. These examples are intended for guidance only and we must emphasise that each case will turn on its own facts. The figures set out below are therefore not intended to represent the minimum or maximum amount of compensation that you are likely to receive.

We would also point out that the figures given below are for pain and suffering only and that in some cases you would be entitled to claim additional sums. Please see our Compensation page for further information.

• Head- Awards can range from £500 for minor head injuries resolving within a few weeks to £16,500 for severe concussion leading to post concussion syndrome with permanent symptoms.
• Teeth - Awards can range from a few hundred pounds for a broken tooth through to £13,000 for loss of a large number of teeth requiring extensive reconstructive treatment.
• Face - A laceration requiring stitches but healing so as to not leave a scar is likely to lead to damages of £1,000 whereas very serious and permanent facial scarring resulting from severe or multiple lacerations could attract an award of £50,000. Scarring as a result of burns is likely to attract higher awards.
• Skin - An award of around £1,750 could be expected for dermatitis lasting for two months whereas severe and/or permanent dermatitis affecting the hands could result in an award of £10,000.

• Neck - Awards range from £250 for whiplash symptoms resolving within one week to £25,000 for serious neck injuries leading to permanent and disabling symptoms (but not causing paralysis).
• Back - The range of awards made goes from £500 for minor back injuries resolving within a few weeks to £40,000 for a serious back injury leading to permanent limitation and severe back pain (but not causing paralysis).
• Ribs - An injury involving four fractured ribs with continuing pain could attract an award in the region of £5,000.

• Hands - Awards range from £2,000 for a straightforward fracture of the little finger through to £30,000 for very severe hand injuries requiring extensive surgical treatment and resulting in significant loss of function.
• Arm - Awards in this category can range from £2,000 for a severe sprain to the wrist causing 18 months of symptoms to £30,000 for a very serious injury leading to a permanent functional and cosmetic disability.
• Shoulder - An injury to the soft tissue of the shoulder with symptoms continuing for six months might lead to an award of £2,000 whereas a very serious injury resulting in nerve damage and loss of movement in the arm could attract an award of £30,000.

• Foot - Awards range from £1500 for a fractured toe to £15,000 for a very serious fracture leading to permanent difficulty with walking.
• Ankle - A strain to the ankle with symptoms lasting for eight months would attract an award in the region of £1,750 whereas a severe fracture leading to osteoarthritis and the likely need for fusion surgery might attract an award in the region of £25,000.
• Knee - The scale of damages can vary from £2,000 for a soft tissue injury with symptoms resolving within twelve months to £35,000 for a very serious fracture leading to permanent symptoms and the likelihood of knee replacement surgery being necessary.
• Leg - A minor muscle injury with full recovery after two months would attract an award of around £1,000 whereas a serious fracture causing leg shortening and permanent disability could lead to compensation of around £25,000.

The above are just some examples of the most common types of personal injury. Obviously, we cannot hope to cover the whole range of injuries here. If you have any injury not covered by the above categories then please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice.