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Injury compensation amounts by body part

Q: Which injuries pay the most compensation?

Generally the injuries with the longest-lasting or permanent effects: brain and head injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious back injuries and amputations sit at the top because they cause lasting disability, ongoing care needs and lost earning capacity. Soft-tissue injuries that fully recover sit at the bottom.

Q: Does the same injury always pay the same amount?

No. Two people with the 'same' injury can settle for very different amounts depending on severity, how long symptoms last, the strength of the medical evidence, their financial losses, and whether they were partly at fault. The bracket gives a range, not a fixed figure — estimate from your specific case.

How much a claim is worth depends above all on which body part you injured and how badly. This hub brings every injury together in one place — from head and brain injuries down to fingers and toes — explains how the published brackets work, and links a dedicated calculator for each. Find your injury below and get a figure based on the real 2026 ranges plus your own losses.

✓ Judicial College brackets ✓ A calculator per injury ✓ US $ & UK £

Last updated 25 June 2026 · By Mustafa Bilgic · Figures reviewed against the Judicial College Guidelines

How much is an injury worth by body part? Each body part and severity has its own published bracket. In the UK these come from the Judicial College Guidelines; in the US, typical settlement ranges are used. The bracket gives the injury value (general damages); your financial losses (lost earnings, treatment, care) are added on top. The most valuable claims are usually brain, spinal and serious back injuries, because their effects last longest. Pick your injury below for a calculator and the real range.

How body-part brackets work

Compensation for the injury itself (general damages) is not invented case by case — it is benchmarked against published ranges so that similar injuries are treated consistently. In England & Wales the Judicial College Guidelines list a band for every body part at each level of severity, from minor and fully recovering up to severe and permanent. Minor whiplash claims use a separate fixed statutory tariff. The US has no single national table, so courts and insurers rely on typical settlement ranges for the injury and jurisdiction. Either way, the body part and severity set the range, then your special damages are added. See how compensation is calculated for the full method.

Head, brain & sensory injuries

Head and brain injuries sit at the top of the scale because their effects can be lifelong. Sensory injuries to the eyes and ears are valued separately.

Neck, back & spine

The most commonly claimed area after road and work accidents. Severe spinal injuries can be among the highest-value claims of all.

Shoulder, arm, wrist & hand

Hip, knee, leg & ankle

Fractures, burns, nerves & other injuries

Psychological injuries

Mental injuries are compensated in their own right, with published brackets just like physical ones.

Why the same injury pays different amounts. A bracket is a range, not a fixed price. Severity, how long symptoms last, the strength of your medical evidence, your financial losses and any contributory negligence all move your figure within (or beyond) the band. See factors that affect compensation.

Quick links: most-claimed injuries

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Brain & head injury

The highest-value injury bracket.

Brain calculator →

🦴

Back injury

The most-claimed serious injury.

Back calculator →

🤕

Neck & whiplash

Tariff and Judicial College brackets.

Neck calculator →

🦵

Knee & leg injury

Common in falls and road accidents.

Knee calculator →

✋

Wrist & hand injury

Fractures and lasting grip problems.

Wrist calculator →

📊

Average payout by injury

The real spread, and why averages mislead.

See averages →

📋

UK compensation amounts

The full UK bracket table.

UK amounts →

⚙️

How payouts are calculated

The full methodology behind every estimate.

Read the guide →

Frequently asked questions

How is compensation worked out for each body part?

Each body part and severity has a published bracket. In England and Wales the Judicial College Guidelines set a range for each; in the US, typical settlement ranges for that injury are used. The bracket gives the injury value (general damages); your financial losses are then added on top.

Which injuries pay the most compensation?

Generally those with the longest-lasting or permanent effects: brain and head injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious back injuries and amputations, because they cause lasting disability, ongoing care needs and lost earning capacity. Soft-tissue injuries that fully recover sit at the bottom.

Does the same injury always pay the same amount?

No. Two people with the same injury can settle for very different amounts depending on severity, how long symptoms last, the medical evidence, their financial losses, and whether they were partly at fault. The bracket gives a range, not a fixed figure — estimate from your specific case.

Estimate only — not legal advice. Figures on this page are indicative ranges based on published injury brackets and may differ from any actual award or settlement. Always confirm with a qualified solicitor (UK) or attorney (US). See our full disclaimer.

Try the full accident compensation calculator →