By Joanne Jeffries. Last Updated 31st January 2023. Welcome to our guide on how to make a facial injury compensation claim. Below, we explain who could make a facial injury claim, and answer questions on facial scar compensation, such as ‘can I claim compensation for facial scars?’ We also include details of how to calculate facial scar compensation, and compensation for another face injury. Plus, we explain why a facial injury compensation calculator wouldn’t give you an accurate compensation sum.
If you suffered an injury to the face due to the fault of a third party you may find this guide incredibly insightful. After taking the time to read this guide, you will understand how a traumatic facial injury compensation claim could be a suitable course of action.
How Could A Facial Injury Claim Begin?
This is an online guide for those who have been left with facial disfigurement and are searching for facial injury compensation. There are many scenarios that could cause a facial injury that ranges from violent crime, a slip and fall, to a road traffic accident. But regardless of the injuries origin, it could leave serious damages to your physical health and psychological well-being. If that is the case, then you could have grounds to pursue a claim with a No Win No Fee solicitor.
Getting Help With Claiming Facial Injury Compensation
If you have an eligible claim for compensation, then a solicitor from our panel could provide you with legal advice, guidance, and support throughout the claims process. Within this online guide, it aims to break down the claims process in greater length, discuss how facial injuries could be caused, and outline how our panel of solicitors could be of service. We also look at why a No Win No Fee law firm may be a good option, whether for personal injury cases involving a permanent scar from a motor vehicle accident, or temporary scarring from an eye socket injury.
If at any point within this online guide you become confused by the information that is being discussed, then please know that you can always speak with one of our advisors. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means they are always available to answer any of your questions and discuss your claim in greater detail. We also have a contact form link at the end of this guide that could prove useful.
Select A Section
- A Guide To Facial Injury Compensation Claims
- What Are Facial Injuries?
- Types Of Facial Injury Leading To A Facial Injury Compensation Claim
- Facial Injuries Caused By Slips, Trips And Falls
- Facial Injuries Caused By Accidents At Work
- Facial Injuries Caused By Road Traffic Accidents
- Fractured Cheekbone Compensation Claims
- Fractured Eye Socket Compensation Claims
- Loss Of Sight And Other Eye Injury Claims
- Broken Jaw Compensation Claims
- Loss Of And Damage To Teeth Compensation Claims
- Broken Noses Compensation Claims
- Claims For Facial Scars And Disfigurement
- Psychological Injuries You May Claim For
- Child Facial Injury Claims
- Facial Scar Compensation – Calculating Compensation For A Face Injury
- No Win No Fee Facial Injury Compensation Claims
- Start Your Facial Injury Compensation Claim Today
- Essential Links Relating To A Facial injury Compensation Claim
A Guide To Facial Injury Compensation Claims
The purpose of this online guide is to break down and discuss facial injury compensation claims in great detail. In doing so, this online guide aims to provide factual and relevant information, and describe the different scenarios in which a facial injury could be caused.
Causes of facial injury might include:
- Sport (such as rugby, football, martial arts)
- An accident at work
- Road traffic accidents
- Slip, trips and falls
- Violent crime
A facial injury doesn’t directly hinder a person’s physical ability to leave the house, earn a living, and operate like normal. However, that is not to say it doesn’t have the ability to inflict psychological trauma. Unfortunately, there are many scenarios that could contribute to an injury of this nature, resulting in a variety of severities. In many severe cases of facial injury, they could be caused by accidents in relation to a slip and trips, accidents at work, and lacerations to the skin. Within this online guide, it aims to discuss this type of claim in greater length and outline how a facial injury could cause a variety of injuries.
What Are Facial Injuries?
Before we look at how to make a facial injury compensation claim, let’s first look at what these types of face and head injuries might involve.
A facial injury is something people experience after being involved in an accident or via surgery. Many people will encounter scarring after experiencing a facial injury, which is extremely common. A scar is a specific area of the body (in this case the face) where fibrous tissue replaces the normal skin after an injury/laceration. A scar is often considered as the body’s natural defence mechanism in an attempt to biologically heal a wounded area.
Depending on the severity of the scar, the healing process could take several months to a year to ”calm down”. This is because the scarring is a natural element within the healing process, and some scar tissue can come in all different shapes and sizes. Many people experience scars after surgery and accidents, and in some cases, smaller scars are more likely to make a full recovery. This is because there is less surface area that has been damaged.
Loss Of Amenity And Facial Scar Compensation
A facial injury could result in scarring that might have a detrimental impact on the victims day-to-day life. Some might argue that a facial injury doesn’t directly impact a person from going about tier day to day life, however, that is not exactly true. A facial disfigurement injury has the potential to precariously impact the victim’s mental health, which as a result could hinder their day to day life. Not only could their confidence be deeply affected, but it could result in anxiety, depressions and in some cases PTSD. It is worth highlighting that most scars will naturally and gradually fade over time, but there are treatments available that could improve the appearance of the scar. If the scarring is uncomfortable or restrictive, then you could be offered treatments such as:
- Surgery
- Pressure dressings
- Skin camouflage (such as makeup)
- Silicone gel sheets
Types Of Facial Injury Leading To A Facial Injury Compensation Claim
At this point in our facial injury compensation claims guide, let’s take a look at different types of facial injuries.
There are many different circumstances that could inflict a facial injury that range from eczema to accidents at work, medical blunders, and road traffic accidents. The scars related to accidents and surgery can be significantly more intense, as they have the ability to be extremely invasive, resulting in pronounced and deeper types of scars.
What Scars Are There?
The NHS has identified that there are different types of scars that people can experience. These include:
- Normal fine-line scars – A scar that is a fine line or an abnormal overgrowth of tissue.
- Keloid scars – This is when an overgrowth of tissue occurs because of too much collagen being produced. Scars of this nature may become paler, itchy, painful, and expand in size.
- Hypertrophic scars – Much like a keloid scar, this is when there has been an access of collagen. A scar of this nature will not expand, but they may thicken for up to six months.
- Pitted or sunken scars – A scar of this nature is often caused by skin conditions such as acne and chickenpox. It leaves a small pitted appearance on the skin and can be a result of an injury that caused a loss of underlying fat.
- Scar contractures – Scars of this nature are caused by burns, causing the skin to ‘’shrink’’ and creating a rightness/restriction
Facial Injuries Caused By Slips, Trips And Falls
Facial injury compensation claims could be made as a result of slips, trips and falls.
You may experience lacerations to the face and body after a slip or fall accident, which could result in scarring. An accident of this nature could happen in a variety of places, from supermarkets, public parks, and restaurants. When an injury of this nature occurs, then you must have evidence that displays a negligent party at fault. Without evidence, it is increasingly difficult to make a claim relating to a slip and fall injury, even with a specialist personal injury solicitor.
Facial Injuries Caused By Accidents At Work
An employer is required by law to ensure that they upholding the obligations outlined within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Within this act, it states that employers must;
- Protect employees within the workplace by preventing risks
- Prevent hazards to the best of their ability
- Control the use and disposal of chemical and explosive materials effectively
- Provide training where applicable
- Display the correct techniques
If an employer breaches this duty of care, then you could have grounds to make an accident at work claim, or more specifically, a facial injury compensation claim.
Facial Injuries Caused By Road Traffic Accidents
Road traffic accidents have the potential to inflict a variety of injuries that range from minor to major, physical to psychological injuries.
You can see below the latest statistics for road users that suffered road traffic accident injuries in the UK for the year ending June 2021. Please note these are provisional figures.
Facial injuries are extremely common in road traffic accidents and have the potential to inflict scarring of different severities. If you have been involved in an incident on the road that was caused by another party, then you could have grounds to make a claim for compensation. Common factors that could include within an RTA claim might include;
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
Fractured Cheekbone Compensation Claims
Another reason you may wish to make a facial injury claim is due to a fractured cheekbone.
If you have experienced a fractured cheekbone due to third party negligence, then you might be wondering if you have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation. In order to make a claim of this nature, the injury you’ve experienced will need to be assessed, as cheekbone injuries may require different levels of treatment. Some injuries can heal of their own accord, some might require minimal cosmetic surgery, and severe cheekbone fractures may require corrective surgery (which could include long-term issues such as paresthesia).
Fractured Eye Socket Compensation Claims
Your cheekbone plays a significant role in the structure of your face, as it upholds the integrity of your eye socket. The cheekbone protects your eyeball and supports the eye socket from down below. If you experience a fractured eye socket, then you might require surgery to correct the damage that has been inflicted. Should you have experienced a broken eye socket due to a violent crime within the workplace, then you could have grounds to make a claim for compensation. If you’ve been injured, then could pursue a facial injury compensation claim through the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA).
Loss Of Sight And Other Eye Injury Claims
Losing your ability to see can be one of the most devastating experiences. Not only could the loss of vision deeply impact your day to day life, but it may also create a lower quality of life, as the loss of vison could affect your physical health and psychological well-being. If you have lost your vision due to the negligent actions of a third party, then you might have grounds to make a claim for compensation. Common eye injury claims include;
- Scratched cornea
- Eye penetrated by a foreign body
- Chemical substances in the eye
- Swelling of the eye
Broken Jaw Compensation Claims
Damage to the jaw can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. A broken jaw has the potential to affect your ability to eat, drink, breathe, and potentially talk. In severe cases, a jaw injury could leave the victim with a permanent injury or disfigurement. Many people experience an injury of this nature due to a violent crime. If you have been the victim of a violent crime that resulted in a broken jaw injury, then you might have grounds to pursue a facial injury compensation claim for compensation through (CICA). Although an awarded settlement cannot erase the suffering you have experienced, it could provide financial aid during the recovery process and contribute to the bettering of your health.
Loss Of And Damage To Teeth Compensation Claims
If you have experienced a loss of teeth or damage to your teeth, then you could have grounds to make a facial injury compensation claim for compensation. If the damage and /or loss of teeth is the fault of a third party, then you could have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation with a solicitor from our panel. There are many factors that could cause a facial injury of this nature, such as the negligent actions of a dental professional. If a dental professional fails to uphold the code of ethics they are held against, they could have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation against a medical professional if they failed to acknowledge circumstances such as;
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Wrongful tooth extraction
- Failure to provide timely treatment
Broken Noses Compensation Claims
The symptoms of a broken nose can be extremely painful, as your nose may swell and bleed. If you’ve been injured and believe you have a broken nose, then you should visit a GP and receive medical advice as soon as possible. A GP can discuss whether you have fractured your nose and discuss the severity of the injury in greater length.
If you suffer a broken nose due to the negligence of another, then you might be wondering if you can pursue a claim for it. For example, if you experienced a broken nose due to a road traffic accident, then you could make a claim for compensation against the negligent party. Citizens Advice state that it is important to seek medical attention, take photographic evidence and collect the details of those who witnessed the incident.
Claims For Facial Scars And Disfigurement
It is worth remembering that all facial injury compensation claims are different from one another. Therefore, the compensation that could be awarded will reflect the individual case. To do so, there are a variety of factors that will be evaluated to ensure the compensation awarded reflects the injury and suffering. In addition to making a claim for the damages that have been inflicted, you may also have grounds to pursue a claim if you have financially suffered due to the incident.
General Damages
If you have experienced suffering, whether it is physical or psychological, then you could pursue a claim for compensation for your pain and suffering.
Loss Of Income
You may also have grounds to make a claim for compensation if you have suffered a financial loss due to an injury. In many cases, a claim of this nature will be in relation to the loss of financial earnings. You could even claim for projected future loss of earnings in some cases.
Medical Expenses
Although you will receive free healthcare through the NHS, you might have to pay for prescriptions, medicine, and alternative treatments. If that is the case, then you might have grounds to pursue a claim for medical expenses.
Special Damages
All of the factors listed above are considered special damages as part of a facial injury compensation claim. These factors will be taken into consideration when making a claim for facial injury compensation. A special damage claim is designed to ensure that the claimant doesn’t walk away from the claims process financially worse off. When making any type of claim for compensation, it is extremely important that you visit a medical professional, as the practitioner can perform a medical assessment that will be extremely useful.
The medical assessment will be able to outline the severity of the injury and scarring and evaluate how it has impacted your life. The information provided by the medical professional will be extremely crucial within the claims process, as it will play a large role in the compensation settlement process.
Psychological Injuries You May Claim For
A facial injury might not only cause physical pain and suffering to the injured party. If someone suffers an injury to the face that causes temporary or permanent damage, this could also impact a person psychologically. Should someone suffer permanent scarring, for example, it could cause them to suffer a loss of confidence in their looks. This could lead to anxiety or depression for some people. Should the accident have caused a traumatic facial injury, a person could even suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Should a claimant be able to evidence that they have suffered a psychological injury due to their facial injury, and they have a valid claim, they could receive compensation for both the mental and physical injury. The compensation they could receive would depend on various unique facts and circumstances of their case, including how long the injury lasts and the impact on the claimant’s life.
When claiming for psychological harm from a facial injury, it may be necessary for a claimant to attend an appointment with an independent medical professional. They could examine the claimant and write a report which details the claimant’s psychological injuries. This could be used to evidence the claim and to help ascertain how much compensation could be appropriate.
If you believe you have suffered psychological harm from a facial injury, and you’d like to learn more about claiming, please call our team. We would be happy to assist you with such an enquiry.
Child Facial Injury Claims
Unfortunately, there are some scenarios in which a child could experience a facial injury. For example, if a child was involved in a road traffic accident, then they might have experienced facial injuries due to the sheer impact of the collision. If a child has experienced a facial injury due to an RTA, then they could have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation. In order to make a claim of this nature, a parent or litigation friend would have to make a claim on their behalf if they are under the age of 18.
The litigation friend or parent will also have to sign off on any major procedures or requirements within this process. For example, if the child requires surgery to correct the damages that have been inflicted, the ligation friend or parent will be responsible to sign off on the procedures. This also means that the child could have grounds to sue them when they are older if the procedure goes wrong or causes further implications.
Facial Scar Compensation – Calculating Compensation For A Face Injury
Every claim for facial scar compensation will be assessed independently. Factors that will be considered include whether your face injury affects your ability to work, your mental health, and whether it causes ongoing pain and suffering. This is why a facial injury compensation calculator may not always provide the most accurate figure, as it cannot take every aspect into account.
In order to give you some insight into compensation for a face injury, the table below includes figures from the Judicial College Guidelines. This is a publication that was last updated in 2022 and is used by legal professionals in England and Wales use to help calculate compensation payouts for a variety of injuries.
The JCG only addresses general damages, which is the compensation payable for the claimant’s pain, suffering and loss of amenity in a successful case.
| Body Part | Severity | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Disfigurement | Minor | £3,950 to £13,740 | This is where there is scarring or a series of scars that can be camouflaged |
| Facial Disfigurement | Moderate | £9,110 to £30,090 | This is where the scarring has been significantly reduced thanks to surgery. |
| Facial Disfigurement | Severe | £29,780 to £97,330 | Very serious scarring where cosmetic surgery has unfortunate failed to reduce the implications and scarring of the incident |
| Fractures of Cheekbones | Severe | £10,200 to £15,780 | A serious fracture that requires surgery but with long lasting consequences and an element of disfigurement. |
| Fractures of Cheekbones | Minor | £2,320 to £2,990 | Requires no surgery and will make a full recovery. |
| Fractures of Jaw | Severe | £30,490 to £45,540 | Very serious effects to the jaw that require treatment. Side effects might include paraesthesia, severe pain, and risk of arthritis. |
| Front Teeth | Severe | £4,350 to £7,630 | Loss or damage to the two front teeth |
| Teeth | Severe | £8,730 to £11,410 | Loss of several front teeth |
| Nose Related Fractures | Minor | £1,710 to £2,520 | Simple fracture that will make a full recovery without the need of surgery |
| Nose Related Fracture | Serious | £3,950 to £5,100 | A fracture that needs surgery to fully recover |
As we have mentioned, special damages may also be included in face injury claims. This is compensation for any related financial losses experienced. You could receive compensation for loss of earnings, travel and medical expenses, for example.
For a personalised estimate of your face injury claim, get in touch with us at any time.
No Win No Fee Facial Injury Compensation Claims
If you have been injured and wish to pursue a compensation claim, then our panel of solicitors could be of assistance and provide you with guidance and support. If you have an eligible claim for compensation, then a solicitor from our panel could offer you a no win no fee agreement when handling your case. An arrangement of this nature simply outlines the payment aspect of the claims process and acts as a mutual agreement between you and the solicitor. This agreement may also be referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
If a solicitor takes on a claim that has a successful outcome, then you will be required to pay a success fee for the services that have been provided. This fee will be subsided from the awarded settlement and is capped by law at 25%. In the event a solicitor accepts a claim but ultimately fails at winning an awarded settlement, then the no win no fee agreement will reduce the threat to the claimant’s finances.
Start Your Facial Injury Compensation Claim Today
If you have been injured and want to begin making a facial injury compensation claim, then please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team. They can offer you free legal advice of no obligation, which means they can answer any questions that you might have.
If you wish to speak with an advisor, the number to call is To begin a claim for facial injury compensation, please contact one of our advisors. They can offer free legal advice of no obligation. The number to call is 0800 073 8801. Our advisors can offer you free legal advice of no obligation, which means they can answer your questions and discuss your (potential) claim in greater length. Alternatively, you could enquire online through online submission, and a member of our team will review your claim and contact you.
Essential Links Relating To A Facial Injury Compensation Claim
We sincerely hope that this online guide has successfully outlined all of the relevant information relating to the claims process. In addition to the information that has been provided within this article, we have also provided some essential links that we believe could be useful. You can find all of the relevant links located down below.
Slip, Trip, or Fall Claims For Compensation – Please Click Here
Road Traffic Accident Claims For Compensation – Please Click Here
Assaulted at Work – Please Click Here
NHS Scarring – Please Click Here
Criminal Injury Compensation Authority – Please Click Here
NHS Broken Nose – Please Click Here
Learn how to claim if you got stuck in a hotel elevator with our helpful guide.
Facial Injury Compensation Claim FAQs
What is considered facial trauma?
Facial trauma can cause various traumas, such as burns, lacerations and bruises, or fractures of the facial bones such as nasal fractures and fractures of the jaw.
Can you claim for soft tissue damage?
A personal injury claim could be a suitable course of action if a negligent third party has caused you to suffer. For instance, if you happen to suffer soft tissue damage, then you could make a claim for the damages suffered.
Can a facial fracture heal on its own?
Over time, a facial fracture can heal on its own. For example, if a broken bone remains in its normal position, then there would be no need for surgical repairs.
How can I determine negligence?
This 3-step criteria may help:
- Did a third-party owe you a legal duty of care?
- Did they breach this duty?
- Did you suffer as a result?
How are personal injury claims valued?
On a case-by-case basis, payouts depend on the severity of claimants’ suffering.
How much could I be entitled to claim?
We can’t give you an estimate without looking into your unique case, as payouts can vary dramatically depending on the circumstances.
How can Accident Claims help?
We can provide you with a free consultation, involving a few questions about your case and how you’ve suffered as a result. If we believe you could be entitled to compensation, we’ll connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers who can handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis and help win you the maximum compensation you deserve.
How can I contact Accident Claims?
You can call us using the number at the top of the page or refer to our contact section above.
Can I make a facial injury compensation claim for the injuries sustained in an assault?
If you have been attacked in some way, whether in the workplace, or while out and about, and it was not your fault, you could claim compensation. Who your claim would be against would differ depending on how the assault occurred. If you were assaulted by a violent act at work, this could result in you making a claim against your employer, if they failed to protect you. In cases where it isn’t possible for you to make a claim against an employer, or the person who assaulted you, there is always the CICA to consider. The CICA could compensate you for injuries sustained in an assault, if you were a blameless victim of crime.
What do I need to know about making a CICA facial injury compensation claim?
There are some differences between making a CICA claim and claiming against the person that assaulted you. In CICA claims, the limitation period is usually only 2 years from the act of violence. However, there could be some exceptions to this. You would need to co-operate with the police in trying to find the perpetrator to make a claim, but you could still claim if they haven’t found the person that assaulted you. Another thing to keep in mind is that with criminal injury claims, your compensation payout might differ from a personal injury claim. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has its own injury tariff of specific amounts for certain types of injuries. You’d still need to submit medical evidence to claim.
What is the average payout for negligence leading to facial injury?
No two claims are precisely the same. Therefore, giving you an average payout for negligence leading to facial injury could be misleading. We have illustrated some guideline payout amounts in the table further up this page. However, your claim would be assessed on its own merits and your compensation would be based on any expenses caused to you, and your pain and suffering. With facial injuries, you could also experience psychological trauma, and this could be taken into account when determining your payout. All the medical evidence would be assessed, as well as any evidence of medical or travel costs, or loss of earnings. All these factors would affect your compensation settlement.
Do I need to use a local lawyer for a facial injury compensation claim?
You might be rather surprised to learn that a local lawyer may not be the best choice for your case. These days, you could choose a lawyer based anywhere in the UK to take on your claim. We would, however, advise you to use lawyers authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and those that work on a No Win No Fee basis. We would also urge you to check into their experienced and past cases carefully. That way, you could have peace of mind that they could have the knowledge and experience to handle your case professionally. If you’d like us to provide you with such a lawyer, we would be delighted to help you. All you need to do is give us a call.
Can I claim compensation for facial scars?
If you can prove that the facial scars are the result of someone else’s breach of their duty of care towards you, you could be eligible to claim for facial scarring.
What could facial scar compensation include?
Facial scar compensation could include:
- Damages for your pain and suffering
- Compensation for loss of amenity (loss of enjoyment of life) caused by your facial scar
- Damages for out of pocket expenses (loss of income, care and medical costs, for example)
- Compensation for projected future costs and losses
If you would like us to help you ascertain what you could claim for, please call our team. We could give you advice based on your specific circumstances.
Who would pay facial injuries compensation if I was injured at work?
If you successfully sue your employer for facial injuries compensation after being injured at work, your employer would not likely pay your compensation themselves. When you make a facial injury claim against an employer, they will have insurance that may cover the compensation you’re awarded.
Could I make a facial injury claim against someone who assaulted me?
In some cases, you might be able to make a facial injury claim against the perpetrator of an assault. However, in many cases, such cases are made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). They aim to pay compensation to victims of violent crime.
If you would like to make a facial injury claim because of an assault, we would be happy to talk to you. We could assess your case to see who your claim could be made against. Then, we could provide you with a solicitor to help you.
Thank you for taking the time to look at our guide on how to make a facial injury compensation claim.