Broken Jaw Compensation Amounts
Jaw fractures (mandible fractures) are common in UK personal injury claims — particularly from assaults, road traffic accidents, sports injuries, and falls. The mandible is one of the strongest bones in the body, and fracturing it usually requires substantial force. The Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition) set out brackets that reflect both the severity of the fracture itself and the lasting impact on eating, speech, dental function, and appearance.
In this guide
- The Main Broken Jaw Brackets
- Specific Fracture Types
- CICA Compensation for Assault-Related Jaw Fractures
- Factors That Move a Broken Jaw Case Up or Down
- Special Damages in Broken Jaw Claims
- Common Broken Jaw Claim Scenarios
- Common Questions About Broken Jaw Compensation
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide explains the JC brackets for jaw fractures, the CICA tariff route for assault cases, what affects valuation, and the special damages typically claimed alongside.
The Main Broken Jaw Brackets
Severe Jaw Fracture — typically £30,000 to £49,000
Very serious multiple fractures with permanent consequences. Typical features:
- Permanent restriction on jaw opening (limited mouth opening)
- Significant difficulty eating, with restricted diet permanently
- Risk or development of paraesthesia of the lip and chin (numbness from inferior alveolar nerve damage)
- Permanent dental treatment needs
- Cosmetic deformity from healed fractures
- Need for multiple surgeries
Serious Jaw Fracture — typically £17,000 to £30,000
Serious fracture with substantial recovery but ongoing consequences:
- Permanent dysfunction with prolonged treatment
- Eating restrictions for an extended period
- Possible permanent nerve symptoms
- Need for orthodontic or restorative dental work
- Some visible scarring or asymmetry
Simple Jaw Fracture — typically £6,500 to £8,500
Straightforward jaw fracture with full recovery after a period of wiring or fixation. The bone heals well, function returns to normal, and any dental damage is fully repaired. This is the typical bracket for many isolated jaw fracture cases.
Specific Fracture Types
Mandible Fractures
The mandible (lower jaw) is the most commonly fractured facial bone. Common patterns:
- Symphysis fracture — at the centre of the chin, often from direct frontal impact
- Body fracture — along the horizontal part of the jaw
- Angle fracture — at the corner where the jaw turns upward
- Ramus fracture — in the vertical part rising to the ear
- Condylar fracture — in the part that articulates with the skull (most commonly fractured area)
Many mandible fractures occur at multiple sites simultaneously (a single impact often produces a fracture at the point of impact AND a “contralateral” fracture on the opposite side from transmitted force). Multiple-site fractures move cases up the bracket.
Maxilla (Upper Jaw) Fractures
Upper jaw fractures are valued under the wider facial fracture framework — see our head injury compensation amounts guide for the Le Fort fracture classification and related brackets.
Dental Damage Accompanying Jaw Fracture
Almost all jaw fractures involve some dental damage — broken teeth, displaced teeth, loose teeth, or teeth knocked out. Dental damage is valued separately:
- Loss of a front tooth — typically up to £4,500
- Loss of two or more front teeth — typically £4,500 to £9,000
- Damage to several teeth (back teeth included) — typically £9,000 to £15,000
- Severe damage to multiple teeth — typically £15,000 to £37,000
The combined jaw-and-dental-damage figure can substantially exceed the jaw fracture bracket alone.
CICA Compensation for Assault-Related Jaw Fractures
Many UK jaw fractures result from assaults — punches, kicks, weapon strikes. Where the offender cannot be identified or has no money to pay, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the typical route. The CICA tariff for jaw injuries is much lower than civil court valuations:
- Minor jaw fracture (no permanent damage, no significant treatment) — £1,000
- Moderate jaw fracture (requiring fixation) — £3,500
- Severe jaw fracture (multiple sites or permanent restriction) — £6,200
- Loss of front tooth (CICA tariff) — £1,500
See our criminal injuries (CICA) claims hub and CICA eligibility & tariff guide for the framework. Where the assault was caused by negligence of a third party (poor venue security, foreseeable risk not managed), a civil claim may produce much higher compensation.
Factors That Move a Broken Jaw Case Up or Down
- Number of fracture sites — single vs multiple
- Need for surgery — internal fixation with plates and screws vs simple closed reduction
- Permanent restriction on jaw opening — significant functional impact
- Nerve damage — inferior alveolar nerve damage causing lip and chin numbness
- Permanent dental damage — particularly visible front teeth
- Need for orthognathic surgery — jaw repositioning for occlusion correction
- Need for ongoing dental treatment — implants, crowns, root canal therapy
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction — chronic jaw clicking, pain, locking
- Cosmetic deformity — asymmetry, contour irregularities, scarring
- Psychological impact — particularly for assault cases
- Impact on occupation — particularly for jobs requiring clear speech
Special Damages in Broken Jaw Claims
Dental Treatment
Often the dominant special damage in jaw fracture cases. Costs include:
- Emergency dental treatment
- Root canal therapy on damaged teeth
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental implants — typically £2,500 to £4,000 per implant
- Orthodontic treatment for occlusion correction
- Lifetime dental maintenance for damaged teeth
For young claimants with substantial dental damage, lifetime treatment costs (with implant replacement every 15-20 years) can exceed £30,000.
Surgical Treatment
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of mandible
- Removal of metalwork
- Revision surgery for malunion or non-union
- Orthognathic surgery for occlusion correction
Lost Earnings
Jaw fracture recovery typically requires 4-8 weeks off work due to the soft diet requirement, swelling, and pain. Customer-facing roles requiring clear speech often require longer absence.
Other Costs
- Soft food and supplements during the weeks of restricted diet
- Speech therapy where needed
- Counselling for assault-related psychological impact
- Cosmetic dentistry for visible damage
Common Broken Jaw Claim Scenarios
- Assaults — typically CICA claims with possible civil component. See our CICA claims hub
- Road traffic accidents — particularly motorcycle and cycling impacts, dashboard injuries
- Falls from height — landing face-down
- Sports injuries — only where another party was at fault
- Workplace accidents — particularly falling objects or machinery contact
- Slips and trips — particularly elderly claimants falling forward
- Defective products — including dental products or sports equipment
Common Questions About Broken Jaw Compensation
I broke my jaw in an assault. Should I use CICA or pursue a civil claim?
It depends on who can pay. If the attacker is identified and has assets or insurance, a civil claim typically produces much higher compensation than the CICA tariff. If the attacker is unknown, uninsured, or unable to pay, CICA is the realistic route. Where the assault happened at a venue with inadequate security (pub, club, sporting event), there may also be a civil claim against the venue under occupiers’ liability — this can produce substantially higher compensation. A specialist solicitor will assess the options.
I broke my jaw and lost two teeth. How much could I claim?
The jaw fracture (typically £6,500 to £30,000 depending on severity) and dental damage (typically £4,500 to £9,000 for two teeth) are valued together as one combined injury. Total general damages typically £11,000 to £40,000 depending on severity and outcome. Special damages for dental implants, surgery, and lost earnings add to this. Lifetime dental costs alone can substantially affect total recovery.
My jaw fracture has caused lip numbness. Is that more compensable?
Yes — permanent inferior alveolar nerve damage producing lip and chin numbness moves cases up the bracket. The case typically moves from Simple Jaw Fracture (£6,500 to £8,500) into Serious (£17,000 to £30,000) or higher. Numbness alone, without other features, may also be valued separately under specific nerve injury brackets.
My jaw fracture has caused TMJ problems. Is that compensable?
Yes. Chronic temporomandibular joint dysfunction following jaw fracture — clicking, pain, restricted opening, locking — is well-recognised and valued. Cases with significant TMJ symptoms typically move into Serious Jaw Fracture (£17,000 to £30,000) or higher.
I needed dental implants after my jaw was broken. Are they paid for?
Yes — dental implants are recoverable as special damages, typically £2,500 to £4,000 per implant. Where multiple implants are needed, costs can run into £10,000 to £30,000. Lifetime replacement costs (implants typically last 15-20 years) are also recoverable for young claimants. Specialist dental evidence supports the future cost calculation.
How long does a broken jaw claim take?
Simple cases typically settle within 9 to 15 months. Cases involving surgery, complex dental work, or chronic TMJ symptoms can take 18 months to 3 years. Cases involving psychological injury from assault circumstances can take longer because the psychiatric position needs to stabilise. See our how long does a claim take guide.
Related Guides
Compensation by Injury Type | UK Payout Amounts
Head Injury Compensation Amounts
Broken Nose Compensation Amounts
Dental Negligence Compensation Claims
Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA) Claims
CICA Eligibility & Tariff Guide
How Much Compensation for Personal Injury?
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