Personal Injury conditions and settlement advice

Here we provide a list of the various conditions and personal injury types that we encounter. There are also some discussion points on forms of treatment or medical investigations.   We also summarise what you can expect from claiming in relation to the conditions and what awards are likely.  

Please be aware that the awards relate to settlements achieved for our clients with reference to the "Judicial Studies Board Guidelines" for England & Wales. They are not precise figures for every claim - each case must be dealt with on its own merit and you should seek appropriate legal advice on your situation.   

Please click on the letter of your choice to reveal the keywords or scroll down for the descriptions:

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*NEW* Also read our simple injury compensation guide    

COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH COMPENSATION CLAIMS IN THE UK  

(please consult your doctor for advice on your own injury - the following is strictly for general information only)

[A]  

ASBESTOSIS CLAIMS - Compensation for exposure to asbestos in the workplace

Abdominal injury - Can occasionally be suffered following a road accident where the seat belt grips the lower stomach area. Most injuries will heal normally without treatment. Possible compensation £1000-3000. If you wish to make a road accident claim -  click here.  

Abrasions - Trauma induced grazes or cuts that are treated with bandages or antiseptic.  Can also suffer associated bruising with these injuries. possible compensation £750 - 1250

[B]  

Brain damage - This type of injury can occur in many circumstances and is at the top end of any award structure for compensation. Claims involving this injury are very specialised and should only be handled by an experienced injury lawyer. The degree of brain damage must be determined but the JSB figures range from £155,000-£200,000 in more severe cases.  

Bruising - Soft tissue injury occurring after trauma, swelling and discolouration. These injuries are usually minor in nature and generally will heal within a few weeks. Occasionally these injuries will require physiotherapy (if the problem persists and involves ligaments or vital muscles) but they are often left to heal naturally. Possible compensation £500-2500.  

Broken bones - see fractures  

Burns - These injuries can occur in road accidents occasionally where a vehicle catches fire following an impact. Some road related burns can be caused through friction. The majority of the burn injuries that we deal with arise from accidents at work as a result of explosions or exposure to fire. Chemical burns at work are common.   The extent of compensation depends much on the location or site of the burn on the body, whether there is any scarring and the sex of the claimant can also play a significant part. Possible compensation awards of up to £20,000 can be claimed in severe cases.  

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[C]  

Coccyx injuries -  The coccyx is a small triangular bone at the base of the spine made up of 3 - 5 vertebrae. Injury can occur as a result of direct impact (for example following a fall where the injured victim hits the ground with force). Symptoms can very often begin or extend to the sacral area. Possible compensation (depending on recovery period) £2500-10000   

Colles fractures - This is a specific type of broken wrist. When a patient sustains a Colles' fracture, there is displacement of the bone such that the wrist joint rests behind its normal anatomic position. A Colles' fracture is most commonly found after falling on to an outstretched hand and therefore is quite common in the personal injury sector. Possible compensation awards of between £3500-10,000 can be claimed (The latter sum relating to more serious fractures where recovery is incomplete).  

Chest injuries - more common in car accidents or as a result of tripping / falling. Rib fractures can be difficult to identify, fractures rarely show themselves on x ray. Physiotherapy is not always possible particularly in bony injury cases.  Possible compensation £1500-10,000.

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[D] 

Dental injuries - These injuries can occur from a direct impact to the mouth damaging teeth or gums. We also come across many cases of dental negligence where the injury or harm has actually been caused by a dental professional. The period of pain and suffering needs to be determined as does the scope for reparation. If the damage done is long lasting or even permanent then damages will be higher. Possible compensation £1000-5000 generally.

More on dental compensation.     

[E] 

Eye injuries - Causes are numerous, severity of the injury can also be wide ranging. Most injuries are soft tissue related and do not involve the "working parts" of the eye. But in serious cases where vision is disrupted, compensation awards can be at the top end. Minor but permanent vision loss can achieve awards of between £6500 - 11500. Complete loss of sight in one eye £27000-30000. Total blindness in the region of £147,500  

Epilepsy - Head trauma (and other injuries) can result in an increased risk of epilepsy. Where the condition is properly identified, there are many factors that will affect compensation awards such as the regularity with which any seizures might occur, the medication required, the effect on working life. Compensation £30,000-82000.

[F]  

Fractures - this is a wide ranging area. There are many different types of fractures that we encounter on a regular basis. Common injuries include, Colles fractures (mentioned above), scaphoid (wrist), Comminuted fractures, and compound fractures. Some fractures are peculiar to children or the elderly. Greenstick fractures for example, are very common in children where bones are more pliable.  

Foot & ankle injuries - Sprained ankles and foot ligaments can be very common win slip / fall type accidents. Recovery can in some cases be prolonged. Possible compensation awards £1250 - 5000 where a complete recovery is made. 

[G]  

Ganglion - A ganglion cyst is a bump or mass that forms under the skin. Most commonly, ganglions are seen on the wrist (usually the back side) and fingers, but they can also develop around joints on the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle and foot.) They can result from or be aggravated by trauma.

[H] 

Head injury - These injuries are very wide ranging in terms of their severity and treatment. The brackets for compensation awards can range from £1250-7000 for minor to moderate cases where there is no brain damage  

Haematoma - A localised collection of blood that usually clots and can be visible through the skin. Very similar to brusing. These injuries can occur as a result of impact trauma and whilst usually slow healing, are not necessarily painful in many cases. 

[I] 

INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS - Claims are possible for industrial deafness caused by the working environment 

[L] 

Laminectomy - is a surgical operation designed to relieve pressure on nerves in either the back or neck   Leg Injuries - Aside from soft tissue foot injuries covered above, the most common lower limb injuries we encounter involve minor fractures to the tibia or fibula. These can occur as a result of a fall or impact. Simple fractures can achieve compensation awards of between £3000-10,000. Fractures of the femur (thighbone) are more serious and this is reflected in the damages which can usually exceed £10,000.

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[M]  

MRI Scan - An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine produces a scan that provides an image of the inside of the body but unlike an x-ray does not use radiation to do this. A magnetic field is used to make the body’s cells vibrate. The electrical signals emitted are then interpreted by computer software. The end result is a very detailed an multi layered report that provides for an excellent diagnostic tool for doctors.

[N]  

Nose (nasal) injuries - Broken noses are common in the personal injury sector. The extent of the damage caused however can be very varied with differing cosmetic results. A simple fracture to the nose may fetch in the region of £2500-5000.  

Neck injury - Probably the most common type of injury that we encounter and generally associated with a whiplash mechanism. Recovery normally will take place within 12 months in the majority of cases but more troublesome injuries can take 2-3 years. A small percentage of accident victims will suffer permanent pain. Average compensation figures will range from £2000-5000.  If you wish to make a car accident claim, click here.

[P] 

Patella injury - Patella (or kneebone) fractures are very common mainly because the bone tends to take the brunt of an impact when an accident victim slips or falls. Knees can also be hurt in car crashes with dashboards being pushed back towards the drivers seating position   Psychological injury - There are many forms of psychological injury that can affect the victim of an accident.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - is now a very common phrase in medicine. Treatment techniques are numerous and advice should be sought from a psychiatrist or psychologist regarding the suitability of any particular form of therapy.

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[Q] 

QUANTUM - The agreed value of any claim - the amount of compensation  

[R] 

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - RSI is used as a general term encompassing various kinds of injuries to muscles, tendons or nerves caused by repetitive movement of a part of the body. Related conditions can include Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Epicondylitis, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis and Trigger Finger. Claims for this particular condition can be difficult to prove.

[S]

Sacral injury - Low back injury, the sacral bone is at the base of the lumbar spine. Injury to this area can be very debilitating and long lasting. Physiotherapy may be of some benefit. Compensation in the region of £2500-7500 may be achievable.  

Stress - Stress claims are very difficult to prove because of the burden of proof and the various tests that must be met before a claim can be considered. See Hatton v Sutherland.  

Sternum (Breastbone) - This bone can very often be injured in car accidents with strain and pressure caused by the inertia from a seatbelt. Recovery can be prolonged. Compensation of 3000-6000 may be awarded where there is a full recovery.  

[T]

Tinnitus - Tinnitus is the sensation of a sound in the ear or head that is not produced by an external source. The sound can be of any pitch or type, continuous or intermittent. The symptoms (whilst occurring naturally in the majority of cases) can be caused by head injury or by whiplash or similar trauma. The compensation can vary considerably depending on the severity of the symptoms £4000-25000.

[V]

VIBRATION WHITE FINGER VWF - Vibration White Finger or VWF (now referred to as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome - HAVS)

[W]  

Whiplash - See "Neck injury" or visit our additional whiplash information pages on this condition

* INDUSTRY NEWS *   The DCA has confirmed that insurers' claims handling departments will not come under further  regulation from the Claims Management Company Regulator (CMCR) [26th October 2006] -

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