Personal injury claim payout amounts in the UK
UK personal injury compensation is set by reference to the Judicial College Guidelines (currently the 17th edition) and, for minor whiplash, by the statutory Whiplash Injury Regulations tariff. Awards range from £240 for a sub-three-month whiplash to £500,000+ for severe brain injury. Most personal injury solicitors work on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no-win-no-fee) with a statutory success fee cap of 25% of compensation.
Readers comparing this typically also check employment tribunal costs in the uk, solicitor hourly rates in the uk and settlement agreement solicitor fees in the uk.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Minor whiplash (under 3 months) statutory tariff | £240–£495 |
Whiplash (3–6 months) tariff | £495–£840 |
Whiplash (6–9 months) | £840–£2,790 |
Moderate back injury | £2,300–£11,730 |
Severe back injury | £38,780–£141,150 |
Broken arm | £6,190–£19,200 |
PTSD (moderate) | £8,180–£23,150 |
Loss of a finger | £14,430–£54,830 |
Solicitor costs structure
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
No win no fee — success fee cap | 25% of compensation |
ATE insurance premium after-the-event, often deferred | £200–£500 |
Fixed recoverable costs (small claims) paid by defendant insurer | — |
Medical evidence (basic GP report) | £250–£600 |
Factors affecting cost
- ·Severity and permanence of the injury (PSLA — pain, suffering and loss of amenity).
- ·Loss of earnings, past and future (special damages).
- ·Care, treatment and rehabilitation costs.
- ·Pre-existing conditions and accelerated injury.
- ·Whether liability is admitted early or contested.
How to reduce costs
- ·Always check 'no win no fee' terms — success fees vary 15–25% of damages.
- ·Don't accept a first offer from the at-fault driver's insurer; they are almost always low.
- ·Keep all receipts and a contemporaneous pain diary for special damages.
- ·Note ATE premiums are usually recoverable from compensation, not separate up-front costs.
- ·Avoid claims management companies (CMCs) — they sub-contract to solicitors and clip your damages further.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation will I get for whiplash?▾
Under the Whiplash Injury Regulations tariff, £240–£4,215 depending on duration up to 24 months. Mixed injuries above the tariff are valued at Judicial College Guidelines.
What is a no win no fee agreement?▾
A Conditional Fee Agreement — the solicitor charges nothing if you lose. If you win, they deduct a success fee capped at 25% of damages for PSLA and past losses.
How long do personal injury claims take in the UK?▾
Simple soft-tissue claims: 6–9 months via the Official Injury Claim portal. Moderate cases: 12–18 months. Serious injuries with ongoing rehabilitation: 2–4 years.
Will I have to go to court?▾
Less than 5% of UK personal injury cases reach trial — the vast majority settle once medical evidence and liability are agreed.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?▾
Yes — under contributory negligence your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. A 25% reduction is typical for, e.g., not wearing a seatbelt.