“What is the average payout for a personal injury claim in the UK?” is one common question people ask after an accident or event that leaves them injured. Of course, the occurrence must have been the fault of a negligent party for you to demand compensation.
This article discusses events that might result in a personal injury claim and the evidence required to prove negligence. We also cover the average payout for different wounds based on their severity. Complete the enquiry form if you need help determining your case’s worth.
How Do Personal Injury Claims Arise?
Several events could result in a personal injury action. They include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
This covers car accidents 
, bicycle collisions, motorcycle crashes, and truck accidents. In any of these occurrences, the driver who committed a negligent action is the at-fault party. So, if a person runs a red light and causes a head-on or side-impact collision, they will be liable to compensate you for your injuries.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
These accidents happen when a hazardous condition on the floor causes you to fall. For instance, a wet or recently waxed floor may cause you to slip. Similarly, leaving wires or objects lying around may cause a trip and fall accident. In either case, the premises owner who failed to warn you of these dangers will pay a monetary settlement.
Defective Products
A product defect is any characteristic that hinders its usability for the purpose for which it was designed and manufactured. In legal terms, it is any product that causes harm to the user. As a result, manufacturers are obligated to warn consumers of any defect that could hurt them. If they don’t, you may have a valid claim if affected by such a flaw.
Medical Negligence/Malpractice
A medical negligence /malpractice case arises when a medical professional fails to uphold the standard of care needed in a given situation. This negligence leaves medical care providers open to personal injury claims, especially where the victim suffered significant harm. However, proving medical malpractice is quite hard to do, so consider involving a solicitor.
What Is the Role of Evidence in Personal Injury Claims?
It’s one thing to know the average payout for a personal injury claim in the UK and another to get the money. Receiving financial compensation depends on several factors, one of which is evidence. Therefore, your allegations against the defendant must be backed by evidence.
So, what proof do you need to be successful in your claim?
Medical Report
Your medical report contains the type of injury suffered, how it happened, and the treatment prescribed by your physician. It also includes the cost of treatment, whether you’ll need future medical care, medical equipment, rehabilitation, etc.
Accident Report
The accident report contains the details of the occurrence that caused your injury. A standard report will include the date and time of the accident, the location, and the fault party. For example, if you were in a traffic collision, the police or investigating agency would record the event. You can request one before commencing a personal injury claim.
Photographs and Videos
Photographic and visual evidence is quite essential in a personal injury case. Therefore, if your injuries permit, take pictures of the accident site, your injuries, and any damaged property. If there’s a surveillance camera, obtain the video footage.
Do this immediately after the occurrence, as most footage wipe out after 24 hours. If you can’t do it yourself, get someone you trust to do it for you. Videos make it easy to see and explain how an accident happened.
Witness Contact Information
Witness statements are also essential to a personal injury claim. An eyewitness is an impartial person who saw how the accident happened and can testify to it. So, get their contact information, and let them know you may contact them to corroborate your version of events.
Receipts and Invoices
You need receipts and invoices of out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury from the accident. Also, if you spent time away from work, you’d need to present pay stubs, proving how much you earned before the occurrence.
What Type of Compensation Can You Get in a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury payout is in two forms: general and special damages. Together, the two are referred to as compensatory damages.
Special damages refer to those financial losses that are readily calculable because they have a fixed amount. You can use receipts and invoices to calculate the amount you’ll receive. Typically, special damages cover:
- Medical care costs
- Travel expenses
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical equipment
- Adjustment to your home, for example, wheelchair ramp
General damages refer to losses with no monetary value, meaning they are not quantifiable. Instead, it covers the pain and suffering you endured due to your injuries and the psychological harm. For example, if a high-impact injury leaves you with post-traumatic stress disorder, you will likely recover compensation for it.
The typical payout for general damages covers:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
Personal injury claims also feature punitive damages. However, it is not calculable using a compensation calculator. A judge or jury gives punitive damages to punish a grossly or maliciously negligent defendant. It also serves as a deterrent to others.
What Is the Average Payout for a Personal Injury Claim in the UK?
Generally, there’s no typical payout for a personal injury in the UK. Each claim is unique, and each claimant is affected differently. The amount you get depends on the following:
- Type of injury
- The severity of the injury
- Level of suffering you endured
- Need for future treatment, rehabilitation, and medical equipment
- Presence of psychological injuries
- Amount of lost wages
Our personal injury compensation calculator at Claims Bible helps you determine the amount to ask for. Below, we look at the average payout for different injuries based on the severity. Note that this is just a guide and the amount differs from one case to the next.
Neck and Back Compensation
| Minor | Moderate | Severe | |
| Neck | £2,150 – £6,920 | £6,920 – £33,750 | £38,750 – £130,060 |
| Back | £2,150 – £10,970 | £10,970 – £34,000 | £34,000 – £141,150 |
Arms Compensation
| Loss of one arm | Loss of both arms | Other arm injuries |
| 84,310 – £120,270 | £211,150 – £263,060 | £5,810 – £114,810 |
Hand Injury Compensation
| Total or effective loss of both arms | Severe damage to both arms | Total or effective loss of one hand | Amputation of the index and middle and/or ring finger | Severe fractures to fingers |
| £123,310 – £176,660 | £49,010 – £74,150 | £84,310 – £74,150 | £54,280 – £79,560 | up to £32,210 |
Leg Injury Compensation
| Minor | Moderate | Severe | Amputation of one leg | Amputation of both legs |
| £15,750 – £24,340 | £24,340 – £34,370 | £34,370 – £119,210 | £91,910 – £120,530 | £211,150 – £247,280 |
Brain Injury Compensation
| Minor | Less Severe | Moderate | Moderately severe | Severe |
| £1,940 – £11,200 | £13,430 – £37,760 | £37,760 – £192,090 | £192,090 – £247,280 | £247,280 – £354,260 |
Psychiatric and Psychological Damage Compensation
| Minor | Moderate | Moderately severe | Severe |
| £1,350 – £5,130 | £5,130 – £16,720 | £16,720 – £48,080 | £48,080 – £101,470 |
Facial and Skeletal Injury Compensation
| Fracture of cheekbones | Fracture of jaws | Damage to teeth | Multiple fractures of facial bones | Fracture of nose or nasal complex |
| £2,040 – £13,840 | £5,660 – £39,940 | £960 – £33,430 | £13,080 – £32,210 | £1,500 – £20,280 |
Compensation for Injury Involving Paralysis
| Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) | Paraplegia |
| £284,610 – £354,260 | £192,090 – £249,270 |
When Should You Start a Personal Injury Claim?
The best time to start the compensation claim process is immediately after the accident or event that harmed you. Note that personal injury actions can be insurance claims or a lawsuit. If you are requesting compensation from an insurance company, ensure you begin the process within the timeline provided by the policy.
Suppose you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit; the law gives you three years. The preceding comes under the Statute of Limitations, and the time starts counting from the accident date or when you discovered the wound.
Failure to file a lawsuit within the three-year window makes your case statute-barred. As a result, you may be unable to take your case to court if the insurance company denies your claim or offer you less money than you deserve.
Don’t Waste Time; Start the Claims Process Today!
This article answered the question: what is the average payout for a personal injury claim? Now, it’s up to you to maximise your compensation and get competitive benefits.
Every claim is unique so it’s impossible to say how much your claim is worth. You can find out more about typical payouts on our Personal Injuries page and discover more by reading our personal injury blog articles.
For a personal estimation on how much your claim is worth please complete our enquiry form and one of our specialist legal partners will contact you.