Broken Nose Compensation Amounts
Nasal fractures are the most common facial fractures in UK personal injury claims — particularly from assaults, sports injuries, road accidents, and falls. The Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition) provide brackets that reflect both the simple-fracture-with-recovery cases at the lower end and significant cases involving permanent deformity, breathing problems, and the need for surgery at the upper end. While individual cases are typically modest in general damages, special damages for surgical repair and any psychological impact can substantially add to the total.
In this guide
- The Main Broken Nose Brackets
- Common Patterns of Nasal Fracture
- CICA Compensation for Assault-Related Broken Noses
- Factors That Move a Broken Nose Case Up or Down
- Anosmia — Loss of Sense of Smell
- Special Damages in Broken Nose Claims
- Common Broken Nose Claim Scenarios
- Common Questions About Broken Nose Compensation
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide explains the JC brackets for nasal fractures, the CICA tariff route for assault cases, what affects valuation, and the special damages typically claimed.
The Main Broken Nose Brackets
Serious Nose Fracture with Permanent Deformity — typically £12,000 to £24,000
Serious or multiple fractures requiring surgical intervention with permanent results. Cases typically involve:
- Multiple fractures requiring open reduction
- Permanent deformity affecting appearance
- Permanent breathing difficulties from displaced cartilage or bone
- Septoplasty surgery often required
- Possible rhinoplasty for cosmetic correction
- Some difficulty with sense of smell
Serious Fracture Where Recovery Is Substantial — typically £4,000 to £5,500
Displaced fractures requiring manipulation, with full or near-full recovery after treatment. Some residual symptoms may persist but the cosmetic and functional outcome is good.
Simple Undisplaced Fracture — typically £1,800 to £4,000
Straightforward nasal fracture without significant displacement, with full recovery after a few weeks. Within this range, valuation depends on:
- Whether any manipulation was required
- The duration of swelling and pain
- Any associated scarring
- The recovery period
Common Patterns of Nasal Fracture
Direct Impact Fractures
The most common pattern — a single direct impact to the nose causing displacement of the nasal bones. Common causes:
- Assault (punches and head-butts)
- Sports injuries (boxing, rugby, football)
- Falls landing face-first
- Road traffic accidents (steering wheel, dashboard, airbag)
- Workplace accidents (falling objects, equipment contact)
Septal Fractures and Haematoma
Some nasal fractures involve the septum (the cartilage wall between the nostrils). Septal haematoma (a blood clot in the septum) is a medical emergency that, if untreated, can cause:
- Saddle nose deformity (collapse of the bridge)
- Permanent breathing problems
- Increased risk of nasal infection
A missed septal haematoma can give rise to both a personal injury claim against the original cause and a medical negligence claim against any doctor who missed the diagnosis.
Combined Nose and Face Fractures
Severe facial trauma often produces nasal fractures alongside other facial bone fractures (cheekbone, orbital floor, maxilla). The combined picture is valued together. See our head injury compensation amounts guide for the wider facial fracture framework.
CICA Compensation for Assault-Related Broken Noses
Many UK nasal fractures result from assaults. Where the offender cannot be identified or has no money to pay, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the typical route. CICA tariff figures for nasal injuries:
- Fractured nose causing displacement requiring manipulation — £2,000
- Fractured nose with no significant disfigurement — £1,000
- Fractured nose causing deviation requiring further surgical treatment — £3,500
CICA tariff figures are significantly lower than civil court valuations. 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. See our CICA claims hub and CICA eligibility & tariff guide.
Factors That Move a Broken Nose Case Up or Down
- Displacement and deformity — visible permanent deformity attracts substantially higher compensation
- Need for surgery — manipulation vs septoplasty vs rhinoplasty
- Multiple fractures — single vs multiple nasal bone fractures
- Breathing problems — persistent nasal airway obstruction adds to valuation
- Septal damage — septal deviation, perforation, or saddle nose deformity moves cases up
- Loss of sense of smell (anosmia) — substantial separate component, see below
- Visible scarring — particularly on the bridge or nostril edge
- Psychological impact — particularly relevant for visible deformity
- Age of the claimant — younger claimants attract higher figures
- Combined with other facial injuries — multi-injury cases valued as a whole
Anosmia — Loss of Sense of Smell
A particular feature of nasal trauma is the risk of damage to the olfactory nerves at the top of the nasal cavity, causing partial or complete loss of sense of smell (anosmia). The functional impact is more significant than people realise — it affects:
- Appetite and food enjoyment
- Detection of gas leaks, smoke, and spoiled food
- Intimacy and relationships
- Some professions (chefs, perfumers, wine professionals)
Anosmia is valued separately from the nasal fracture under specific JC brackets:
- Loss of smell only — typically up to £30,000
- Loss of both smell and taste (ageusia) — typically up to £40,000+
For severe nasal fracture cases involving anosmia, the combined valuation typically far exceeds the nasal fracture bracket alone. See our head injury compensation amounts guide for the full anosmia framework.
Special Damages in Broken Nose Claims
Surgical Treatment
- Closed manipulation under anaesthetic — typically NHS-funded but private cost £1,500 to £3,000
- Septoplasty (septal correction surgery) — typically £3,000 to £6,000 privately
- Rhinoplasty for cosmetic correction — typically £5,000 to £10,000 privately
- Revision rhinoplasty (where initial surgery did not produce a good result) — typically £6,000 to £12,000
Other Treatment Costs
- Antibiotics for nasal infection
- Pain management
- Cosmetic camouflage products
- Psychological therapy for visible deformity
Lost Earnings
Typical absence is 1-2 weeks for simple fractures, longer for cases involving surgery. Customer-facing roles requiring presentable appearance can require longer recovery.
Common Broken Nose Claim Scenarios
- Assaults — typically CICA claims with possible civil component. See our CICA claims hub
- Sports injuries — only where another party was at fault (coach negligence, equipment defects, opponent’s deliberate or reckless conduct)
- Road traffic accidents — airbag, dashboard, and steering wheel impacts
- Falls — particularly elderly claimants falling forward
- Workplace accidents — falling objects, equipment contact
- Slips and trips — particularly elderly claimants
- Dog bite injuries — particularly facial bites to children
Common Questions About Broken Nose Compensation
I broke my nose in a sports injury. Is that worth claiming?
It depends on who was at fault. Sports injuries from voluntary participation typically do not produce claims — there is implied consent to the inherent risks of the sport. Claims do succeed where: (a) the injury was caused by reckless or deliberate conduct outside the normal rules of the sport, (b) defective equipment was involved, (c) coach negligence created an unsafe situation, or (d) the venue had inadequate facilities. A specialist solicitor will assess whether your case meets one of these tests.
I broke my nose in an assault. Should I use CICA?
In most cases, yes. CICA tariff for nasal fractures (£1,000 to £3,500) is the typical route where the attacker cannot pay. Where the assault happened at a venue with inadequate security or where a third party was negligent, a civil claim may produce higher compensation. A specialist solicitor will assess the options.
My nose was straight before and is now visibly crooked. Does that increase the value?
Yes, substantially. Visible permanent deformity moves cases from the Simple Fracture bracket (£1,800 to £4,000) into the Serious bracket (£12,000 to £24,000) or higher. Photographs before and after are particularly powerful evidence. Where the deformity affects appearance significantly, the psychological impact element adds further to valuation.
My broken nose has caused breathing problems. Is that more compensable?
Yes. Permanent nasal airway obstruction from septal deviation or bone displacement adds significantly to valuation. Cases requiring septoplasty for breathing correction typically attract Serious Fracture compensation (£12,000 to £24,000) plus the cost of the surgery itself.
I lost my sense of smell after the injury. What is that worth?
Substantially separate compensation. Complete loss of smell (anosmia) typically attracts up to £30,000 in addition to the nasal fracture compensation. Combined anosmia and taste loss can attract £40,000+. The impact on quality of life is more significant than many claimants realise. Medical assessment confirms the diagnosis (smell testing) and the medical expert documents the impact.
I had rhinoplasty after my injury. Is that recoverable?
Yes, where the surgery was reasonably needed to correct the cosmetic or functional impact of the injury. Private rhinoplasty typically costs £5,000 to £10,000 — fully recoverable as special damages. Where the first surgery does not produce a good result, revision rhinoplasty costs are also recoverable.
How long does a broken nose claim take?
Simple cases typically settle within 6 to 12 months. Cases involving surgery (septoplasty or rhinoplasty) typically take 12 to 24 months because the surgical outcome needs to be known before settlement. Cases with anosmia or significant psychological impact can take 18 months to 3 years. See our how long does a claim take guide.
Related Guides
Compensation by Injury Type | UK Payout Amounts
Head Injury Compensation Amounts
Broken Jaw Compensation Amounts
Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims
Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA) Claims
How Much Compensation for Personal Injury?
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