Medical negligence compensation calculator
Get a rough idea of what a clinical negligence (UK) or medical malpractice (US) claim could be worth, built on published Judicial College bracket figures. These claims are complex — treat the figure as orientation only and seek specialist advice.
Medical Negligence Compensation Calculator
A rough indicative range — not a valuation
Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic · Figures reviewed against the Judicial College Guidelines
Why medical negligence is different
Unlike a road or workplace accident, a medical negligence claim is rarely about a single obvious event. It is one of the most technically demanding areas of personal-injury law, because you have to prove not just that you were harmed but that substandard care caused that harm — when you were already unwell to begin with. That is why any online estimate, including this one, can only be a rough orientation.
The two-part test: breach and causation
To succeed you must establish both of the following, each with independent expert medical evidence:
- Breach of duty — that the care fell below the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner. In England and Wales this is the Bolam test, refined by Bolitho: treatment is not negligent simply because the outcome was poor, only if no responsible body of practitioners would have acted that way.
- Causation — that the breach actually caused, or materially contributed to, your injury. This is often the hardest hurdle, because the underlying illness may have caused some or all of the harm regardless of the care.
What the claim is made of
If both limbs are proven, the value is built from general damages (pain, suffering and loss of amenity for the injury, valued from the Judicial College Guidelines in the UK) and special damages (financial losses). In serious cases — birth injury, severe brain damage, amputation — the special damages for lifelong care, case management, therapies, equipment and lost earnings frequently exceed the general-damages award many times over. Professional standards for doctors are set in the UK by the General Medical Council (GMC).
Medical negligence compensation amounts by harm
The table below shows indicative general-damages ranges for the type of harm a negligence claim might involve. Special damages (further treatment, ongoing care, lost earnings) are added on top and, in serious cases, dominate the total. UK figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines; US figures are broad ranges and some states cap non-economic damages.
| Harm type | UK — Minor (£) | UK — Moderate (£) | UK — Severe (£) | US — typical ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head / brain | 2,690 – 14,400 | 45,000 – 219,000 | 219,000 – 493,000 | 25k – 500k+ |
| Back injury | 2,500 – 12,500 | 12,500 – 38,800 | 38,800 – 160,000 | 15k – 175k |
| Psychological (PTSD) | 1,700 – 7,700 | 7,700 – 28,300 | 28,300 – 120,000 | 10k – 130k |
| Scarring / laceration | 2,000 – 9,300 | 9,300 – 30,000 | 30,000 – 97,000 | 10k – 200k |
| Broken bone / fracture | 2,800 – 12,000 | 12,000 – 45,000 | 45,000 – 135,000 | 12k – 150k |
| Knee / leg | 2,800 – 14,500 | 14,500 – 47,800 | 47,800 – 159,000 | 15k – 180k |
General-damages figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines and are rounded; special damages (especially future care) are excluded and often dominate med-neg awards. Last updated .
Who pays a medical negligence claim?
In the UK, claims arising from NHS care are generally handled by NHS Resolution, which manages clinical negligence claims on behalf of NHS bodies; claims arising from private treatment are made against the private provider or the clinician's medical defence organisation. In the US, the claim is typically against the hospital, physician or practice and is paid by their medical malpractice insurer. You are not pursuing an individual clinician's personal savings — defendant organisations and insurers investigate, defend and pay valid claims.
How to use this medical negligence calculator
- Pick the main harm caused by the treatment — if there are several effects, choose the most serious.
- Choose the severity that matches your medical prognosis and recovery time.
- Add any financial losses: lost earnings, further treatment and — crucially in serious cases — future care.
- Switch the region toggle to UK £ or US $ and read the rough indicative range.
Remember this is orientation only. A reliable valuation needs expert medical evidence on breach and causation, and a full assessment of future losses — see our guides on how compensation is calculated and general vs special damages.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation will I get for medical negligence?
It varies enormously and depends entirely on the harm caused. In England & Wales general damages come from the Judicial College Guidelines, so a moderate injury may be in the low tens of thousands, while life-changing harm such as severe brain injury or a serious birth injury can reach hundreds of thousands or more once future care and lost earnings are added. In the US, awards vary by state, some of which cap non-economic damages. This calculator gives a very rough range only — true valuation needs specialist legal advice and expert medical evidence.
What do I have to prove in a medical negligence claim?
Two things, both essential. First, breach of duty — that the care fell below the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner (the Bolam test, refined by Bolitho, in England & Wales); a poor outcome alone is not negligence. Second, causation — that the breach actually caused or materially worsened your injury, often the hardest part because the underlying illness may have caused harm anyway. Both must be supported by independent expert medical evidence.
Who do I claim against for medical negligence?
In the UK, claims from NHS care are usually handled by NHS Resolution on behalf of NHS bodies; private-treatment claims are made against the private provider or the clinician's defence organisation. In the US, the claim is typically against the hospital, physician or practice and is paid by their medical malpractice insurer. You are not suing an individual doctor's personal money — organisations and insurers handle and pay valid claims.
How long do I have to claim for medical negligence?
In England & Wales the general limit is three years from the negligence or from the date of knowledge — when you first knew (or reasonably should have known) your injury was linked to your treatment. Different rules extend this for children and people who lack capacity. In the US, limits vary by state and many use a discovery rule. Because the date-of-knowledge rules are complex, get advice early. See how compensation is calculated.
Is this calculator reliable for a medical negligence claim?
No — treat it as a rough orientation only, not a valuation. Medical negligence is one of the most complex areas of personal-injury law: the figure turns on proving both breach and causation with expert medical evidence, and on quantifying future care, treatment and lost earnings that can dwarf the injury award itself. This tool applies general injury-bracket figures and cannot account for those factors. Always obtain specialist clinical negligence or medical malpractice legal advice before relying on any number.
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