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Scarring Compensation Calculator

Scarring claims sit slightly outside the standard JC bracket structure because the JC Guidelines explicitly take into account the claimant’s age and gender when valuing facial scarring — recognising that the impact of permanent disfigurement varies by personal circumstance. This is one of the few areas where the Guidelines treat these factors as relevant. Scarring elsewhere on the body uses a separate chapter with a more standard structure.

This calculator uses Judicial College Guidelines Chapter 11 (Facial Disfigurement) for facial scarring and Chapter 12 (Scarring to Other Parts of the Body) for non-facial scarring. The Chapter 11 figures are higher because facial scarring is visible and has greater psychological and social impact.

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Scarring compensation calculator

Based on the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026).

How This Calculator Works

Select whether the scarring is facial or elsewhere on the body. Choose the severity (trivial, modest, moderate, significant, very severe). For facial scarring, your age and gender adjust the figure per the JC Guidelines’ explicit approach. The special damages module captures the cost of cosmetic surgery, laser treatment, or other scar revision procedures.

JC Guidelines Chapter 11 — Facial Disfigurement Brackets

  • Very severe scarring — extensive scarring with severe psychological reaction, top of the scale
  • Less severe scarring — substantial disfigurement with significant psychological impact
  • Significant scarring — visible scarring causing some psychological impact
  • Less significant scarring — single visible scar or several small scars
  • Trivial scarring — minor scarring, slight cosmetic effect

The brackets for facial scarring include a wide range because the figures vary by age and gender as stated in the Guidelines.

JC Guidelines Chapter 12 — Other Scarring

Scarring elsewhere on the body uses a more standard bracket structure based on:

  • A number of noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar on the leg, arm, or hand
  • A number of superficial scars to limbs and/or chest
  • Burns scarring covering substantial body surface (overlaps with burn injury bracket)
  • Single noticeable scar on body where casual observation reveals it

Why Age and Gender Affect Facial Scarring Awards

The JC Guidelines explicitly state that “the level of the award is affected significantly by the subjective factor of the appreciation by the victim of the cosmetic effect” and that “the awards in respect of females are likely to be higher than the equivalent injuries to males” because of “the psychological reaction” expected. While the approach has been the subject of academic debate, it remains the published position of the Judicial College and is applied in practice. Younger claimants also typically receive higher awards because the disfigurement is lived with for longer.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs and Treatment

Where private scar revision surgery, laser treatment, or other cosmetic procedures can improve the appearance, the cost is recoverable as special damages. Typical figures:

  • Scar revision surgery — £2,000-£5,000 per procedure
  • Laser treatment — £150-£500 per session, multiple sessions usually required
  • Steroid injections for keloid scars — £200-£500 per treatment
  • Camouflage products — recurring cost over time
  • Multiple treatment cycles often needed for full effect

What This Calculator Doesn’t Capture

Scarring claims often have a psychological component — body dysmorphia, anxiety in social situations, depression, avoidance of physical intimacy. These can produce a separate psychological injury claim valued under JC Chapter 4 (Psychiatric Damage), often substantially uplifting the total. The calculator gives the scarring figure but doesn’t capture this overlap. Specialist solicitors arrange psychological evidence where indicated.

Next Steps

Scarring claims often settle after scar maturation (usually 18-24 months from the injury) because the final appearance can’t be assessed before then. During this period, photographic evidence and dermatology assessments document the progression. Specialist firms handle scarring cases regularly and arrange independent expert evidence on cosmetic and psychological impact. No win no fee Conditional Fee Agreements are standard.

Common Questions

My scar is faded — does that reduce my claim?

Yes, somewhat. Scars typically fade over 18-24 months after the injury, which is why scarring claims are usually settled at or after that point. The settlement reflects the final, mature appearance rather than how the scar looked acutely. Photographic evidence taken at each stage documents the progression and helps demonstrate what the final appearance is. Camouflageable scars typically attract lower awards than those that remain prominently visible.

Why does my gender affect the figure?

The JC Guidelines explicitly state that female claimants typically receive higher awards for equivalent facial scarring because of “the psychological reaction” expected. The approach has been the subject of academic and legal debate but remains the published position. In practice, younger female claimants with facial scarring receive the highest awards within the bracket; older male claimants typically receive lower awards within the same bracket. The differential is most visible at the upper end of the scale.

Can I claim for cosmetic surgery I had on the NHS?

You can claim for the impact of the scarring itself and for any private cosmetic procedures you choose to have. NHS-funded treatment is recoverable in the sense that there may be additional surgery you would prefer to have privately, or further procedures the NHS won’t fund. The cost of accessing privately what the NHS already provided publicly is not normally recoverable.

What about scarring from burns?

Burn scarring is treated under JC Chapter 13 (Burns) for the burn injury itself and Chapter 12 for the resulting scarring. The two often combine in burns cases. The burn injury calculator handles this combination automatically. Burns produce some of the largest scarring awards because the extent of disfigurement is typically greater than other types of injury.

What are the Judicial College Guidelines?

The Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases (currently 18th edition, published April 2026) are the reference work used by judges, solicitors, and insurers across England and Wales to value personal injury claims. They set out compensation brackets for every category of injury and are updated every two to three years.

How accurate is this calculator?

The calculator gives a directional estimate based on published guidelines. Actual settlements vary based on the specific facts of each case, the strength of evidence, the prognosis at the point of settlement, contributory negligence findings, and the negotiating position of the insurer. Treat the figure as a starting point — a specialist solicitor will give you a more precise figure after reviewing your evidence.

Scarring Compensation Amounts

Burn Injury Calculator

PTSD Compensation Calculator

Personal Injury Compensation Calculators (all)

Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims

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Gavin Cooper

Gavin Cooper

Claims Expert, Claims Bible

Gavin writes and reviews Claims Bible's guidance on compensation claims. Claims Bible is a trading style of Forces Compare Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA for claims management activities (FRN 785329).

Updated 24 July 2026 · Part of our Personal Injury guide

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