Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic
How head and brain injuries are valued
Head injuries produce the widest valuation range of any injury type because the consequences vary so dramatically — from a brief concussion that resolves in weeks to a life-changing traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring lifelong care. In England and Wales these are valued under the Judicial College Guidelines for head and brain damage, and the most serious cases are among the highest-value personal-injury claims of all.
Minor head injury and concussion
A minor head injury or concussion where the brain damage (if any) is minimal and recovery is essentially complete sits at the lower end — indicatively £2,690–£14,400. Factors such as the severity of the initial injury, the presence of headaches and the time taken to recover move the figure within this range.
Moderate brain injury
Where there is a definite brain injury affecting concentration, memory or mood, but the person remains largely independent, the award is typically £45,000–£219,000 depending on the degree of lasting impairment, the effect on work, and any personality change. This is a broad bracket reflecting how variable brain-injury outcomes are.
Severe and very severe brain injury
Severe traumatic brain injury causing significant cognitive disability, the need for constant care, or a vegetative state falls in the highest bracket — from roughly £219,000 to £493,000 for general damages alone, and total claims (with care and lost earnings) frequently reach seven figures. Selecting "Severe" applies these bracket figures.
What affects a head injury payout
- Degree of brain damage — confirmed by neurological and neuropsychological evidence; the central driver of value.
- Cognitive and behavioural effects — memory, concentration, personality change and insight.
- Care needs — the cost of professional or family care over a lifetime can dwarf the injury award itself.
- Loss of earning capacity — a serious brain injury often ends a career, generating very large future-loss claims.
Special damages for head injuries
Serious head injuries generate substantial special damages: ongoing rehabilitation, care and case management, accommodation adaptations, assistive technology, lost earnings and lifelong loss of earning capacity. Because these can be enormous, severe-TBI claims are valued by specialist solicitors with input from medical and care experts. Enter known losses in the calculator to see how they add to the injury figure.
Head injury claims in practice
Brain-injury claims are complex and almost always handled by specialist personal-injury solicitors, usually on a no-win-no-fee basis, often with interim payments to fund early rehabilitation. This page is an estimating tool only and does not provide legal or medical advice — serious head injuries should always be assessed by qualified professionals.
Head injury compensation — frequently asked questions
How much compensation for a head injury in the UK?
A minor head injury or concussion is valued at roughly £2,690–£14,400, a moderate brain injury at about £45,000–£219,000, and a severe brain injury from around £219,000 to £493,000 in general damages alone, under the Judicial College Guidelines. With care costs and lost earnings, severe cases often reach seven figures.
How much is a concussion claim worth?
A concussion that resolves with full recovery usually sits at the lower end of the head-injury scale — indicatively a few thousand to around £14,400 in the UK, depending on how severe the symptoms were and how long they lasted. Persistent post-concussion symptoms or a confirmed brain injury push the value higher.
How much is a traumatic brain injury settlement in the US?
US traumatic brain injury settlements vary enormously. Minor cases may settle around $25,000–$75,000, while severe TBI causing permanent disability frequently settles for several hundred thousand to several million dollars, driven by lifelong care and lost-earnings costs and the at-fault party's insurance limits.
Why are brain injury claims so high?
Because the largest part is usually not the injury award itself but the special damages — a lifetime of care, rehabilitation, adapted accommodation and lost earnings. A young person with a severe brain injury may need decades of support, which is why total claims can reach seven figures even though the general-damages bracket is lower.
Is this head injury calculator accurate?
It gives a realistic guide using Judicial College bracket figures and typical US settlement ranges, but serious head injuries are highly individual and the calculator cannot capture complex future-care and lost-earnings costs. Treat it as a starting point and always seek advice from a specialist solicitor or attorney.