The aim of general damages is provide compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Damages are awarded depending on the severity of the injury and its impact upon the Claimant’s enjoyment of life. 

The Court will look at all the circumstances in order to award an amount that is fair and reasonable. The main source of evidence will be your medical notes and medico-legal report(s) obtained from specialist medical practitioners.

The starting point for assessing general damages is the Judicial College Guidelines. The table below sets out the range of damages available under the Guidelines for some common injuries and conditions.

The Court will consider all the relevant factors to decide which end of the range is appropriate. Factors relevant to all cases include the extent and duration of the pain, time taken for recovery, any permanent effects, previous state of health, age and domestic circumstances. The Court will also take into account any invasive treatment undergone.

It should be emphasised that these ranges are just a starting point and a Court will look at all the circumstances surrounding each individual case. The table does not cover the full range of injuries and complications.

Injury	Starting Point for Damages*	Relevant factors
Injuries affecting the senses
Total blindness and deafness	Around £326,700
Total blindness	Around £217,250
Total loss of sight in one eye	£39,820 to £44,330
Partial loss of sight	£7,370 to £31,625	Extent of sight loss Risk of further deterioration
Minor eye injuries	£3,190 to £7,040
Total deafness	£73,315 to £88,660	Effect on speech Tinnitus
Deafness in one ear	£25,300 to £36,850
Total loss of taste and smell	Around £31,625
Loss of smell	£20,185 to £26,620
Loss of taste	£15,510 to £20,185
Injuries to limbs
Arms
Loss of both arms	£194,700 to £242,550	Place of amputation
Loss of one arm	£77,715 to £110,880+
Severe fracture resulting in permanent disability	£31,625 to £48,400
Simple fractures	£5,390 to £15,510
Moderate or minor Injuries to elbow	Up to £10,175	Time taken to resolve injury
Loss of both hands	£113,575 to £162,800
Loss of one hand	£77,715 to £88,660
Loss of index finger	Around £15,125
Loss of thumb	£28,710 to £44,330
Legs
Loss of both legs	£194,700 to £227,975	Severity of phantom pain Success of prosthetics Side Effects
Above-knee amputation of one leg	£84,700 to £111,100
Below-knee amputation of one leg	£79,200 to £107,525
Serious compound fractures or injuries to joints	£31,680 to £44,330	Time taken to resolve injury Scarring
Simple fracture	Up to £7,370	Time in plaster Length of recovery period
Knee injury	Up to £77,770	Severity
Ankle injury	Up to £56,320
Hard Arm Vibration Syndrome	£2,420 to £31,075	Number of hands/fingers affected Extent of effect Frequency and duration of painful episodes Effect of symptoms on work, domestic and social life
Serious Neck Or Back Injury	Up to £130,130	Severity Permanence Nerve damage
Paralysis
Tetraplegia/Quadriplegia	£262,350 to £326,700	Extent of pain Effect on senses Ability to communicate
Paraplegia	£177,100 to £229,00	Extent of pain Degree of independence Age and life expectancy
Head Injury
Brain damage	£12,375 to £326,700+	Life expectancy Extent of physical limitations Degree of dependence Ability to communicate Epilepsy Personality change Effect on intellect Effect on senses
Minor head injury	£1,788 to £10,340	Initial severity Period of recovery Presence of headaches
Psychiatric Damage	£1,238 to £93,500	Effect on relationships Possibility of treatment Future vulnerability Prognosis
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	£3,190 to £81,400	Severity Prognosis
Facial Injuries
Broken nose	£1,375 to £18,700	Extent of recovery Damage to nerves or tear ducts
Broken cheekbone	£1,870 to £12,760	Lasting disfigurement
Broken jaw	£5,225 to £36,850	Extent of pain Restriction of eating Extent of recovery
Loss of several front teeth	£7,040 to £9,240
Loss of one front tooth	£1,782 to £3,190
Facial scarring (female)	£1,375 to £78,650	Severity of scarring Age of victim Cosmetic effect Psychological Effect
Facial scarring (male)	£1,375 to £53,075
Dermatitis	£1,375 to £15,510
Minor Injuries	Up to £1,980
Broken rib	Up to £3,190	Extent of pain
Internal Organs
Breathing difficulties	£25,300 to £44,330	Seriousness of symptoms Prognosis
Bronchitis and wheezing	£16,830 to £25,300
Breathlessness	£8,580 to £16,830	Seriousness of symptoms Prognosis
Impotence	£34,760 to £119,900+	Age Psychological Reaction Existing children
Infertility	£5,390 to £136,950	Age Psychological Reaction Existing children
Failed sterilisation leading to unwanted pregnancy	Around £8,250
Loss of one kidney	£24,860 to £36,300
Loss of both kidneys	£136,950 to £169,950
Food poisoning	£3,190 to £15,510	Severity and duration Long-term impacts
Hernia	£2,750 to £19,525
Asbestos-related
Mesothelioma	£56,650 to £101,750
Lung cancer	£56,650 to £78,650
Asbestosis	£12,210 to £85,580	Likelihood of progression Impact on mobility Quality of life Life expectancy

*Since 1 April 2013, there has been a 10% increase in the level of damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity awarded to personal injury claimants following the recommendations of Lord Justice Jackson. This increase is reflected in the figures above.

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