Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic
How facial injuries are valued
Facial injuries cover fractures (nose, cheekbone, jaw, eye socket), lacerations and burns, and they are valued on two things: the physical injury and any permanent scarring or disfigurement, including the psychological effect. In England and Wales, the figure comes from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which treat facial scarring separately and place particular weight on visibility and the claimant's age and sex, because a prominent permanent scar affects people differently. The calculator above is pre-set to facial scarring; set severity to match your prognosis.
Minor facial injuries
A simple facial laceration that heals with little or no visible scar, a broken nose put right without lasting effect, or minor bruising sit at the lower end — indicatively £1,700–£9,300. A simple, undisplaced broken nose is typically £1,700–£4,500.
Moderate facial injuries
Facial fractures needing surgery (such as a fractured cheekbone or jaw), or lacerations leaving some visible but not severe permanent scarring, are typically valued at £9,300–£30,000. A displaced fracture of the nose needing surgery, or a jaw fracture with lasting effects, falls in this band.
Severe facial injuries and disfigurement
Very severe facial scarring, multiple fractures causing lasting deformity, or disfigurement with a serious psychological reaction fall at the top — roughly £30,000–£97,000. Selecting "Severe" in the calculator applies these upper figures.
What affects a facial injury payout
- Visibility and permanence — a prominent, permanent scar on the face is worth more than one that fades or is easily hidden.
- Psychological impact — the JCG expressly recognises the distress that facial disfigurement causes, which can raise the award.
- Function — a jaw fracture affecting eating or speech, or an injury affecting an eye, increases the figure.
- Reconstructive surgery — the need for and outcome of plastic or reconstructive surgery affects both general and special damages.
Special damages for facial injuries
On top of the injury figure you can usually recover special damages — lost earnings, surgery and dental treatment, scar-revision or cosmetic procedures, counselling for psychological effects, and travel to appointments. Enter your losses in the calculator and they are added on top.
Facial injury claims in practice
Facial injuries often arise from road accidents, dog bites, assaults and falls. Where there is permanent scarring, a solicitor will usually obtain a report from a plastic surgeon, and claims are often run on a no-win-no-fee basis. Injuries from a crime may also be eligible through the CICA scheme. This page gives an estimate only and is not legal advice.
Facial injury compensation calculator — frequently asked questions
How much compensation can I get for a facial injury in the UK?
Minor facial scarring or a simple fracture that heals well is valued at roughly £1,700–£9,300, moderate facial injuries with some lasting scarring or bone damage at about £9,300–£30,000, and very severe facial scarring and disfigurement from around £30,000 to £97,000 under the Judicial College Guidelines. Treatment, surgery and lost earnings are added as special damages.
How much is a broken nose worth?
A simple, undisplaced broken nose that heals well is typically valued at £1,700–£4,500 in the UK. A displaced fracture needing surgery, or one that heals with a lasting deformity or breathing difficulty, sits higher in the facial-injury bracket, plus any treatment costs and lost earnings.
Is facial scarring worth more compensation?
Yes. The Judicial College Guidelines treat facial scarring as a distinct, higher-value category because the face is so visible. The award reflects how prominent and permanent the scar is and the psychological impact, with the claimant's age and the effect on confidence taken into account, so a prominent permanent facial scar is valued well above a similar scar elsewhere on the body.
How much is a facial injury settlement in the US?
US facial-injury settlements range from about $8,000 for a minor injury to $100,000 or more for severe scarring or disfigurement. The figure depends on your state, the strength of medical and cosmetic evidence, the at-fault party's insurance and any lost income.
Is this facial injury calculator accurate?
It gives a realistic guide based on Judicial College bracket figures and typical US settlement ranges, but it is not a guarantee. Facial-injury values turn on visibility, permanence, psychological impact and your proven losses. The tool is pre-set to facial scarring; set severity to match. Always confirm with a qualified solicitor or attorney.