If you've suffered a head injury in an accident that wasn't your fault, you could be eligible to make a head injury compensation claim on a no win no fee basis.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Head Injury Claims
If you suffered a head injury in a road traffic accident, accident at work, sports accident or after a slip, trip or fall, you may be eligible to make a head injury compensation claim.
Head injuries can range from minor cuts and bumps to more serious trauma such as skull fractures, concussion or brain injuries, which may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
If another party was at fault for your injury, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your pain, suffering, lost earnings, medical costs and any long-term effects of the injury.
For a free consultation with a legal adviser, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. They can tell you within minutes whether you have a valid head injury claim and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Key points about head injury claims
- Eligibility: You may be eligible to claim if you suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence.
- Duty of Care: Employers, councils, and others must take reasonable steps to prevent accidents that could lead to head injuries.
- Time Limit: You generally have three years from the date of the injury or diagnosis to start a head injury claim.
- Compensation: The amount of compensation depends on the type and severity of the head injury, and may include damages for pain, loss of earnings, and long-term care.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will work on a no win no fee basis, meaning you’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What is a head injury compensation claim?
A head injury compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim you can make if you suffer a head or brain injury because someone else breached their duty of care. You may be able to claim for injuries such as concussion, skull fractures or traumatic brain injuries.
Compensation is split into two parts:
- General damages – for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injury.
- Special damages – for your financial losses, such as loss of earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation, travel expenses and care costs.
The aim of a head injury claim is to put you back in the position you would have been in had the injury not occurred.
Can I make a head injury claim?
Yes. As a rule of thumb, you can make a head or brain injury compensation claim if the following apply to your situation:
- You had an accident in the last three years.
- Another party owed you a duty of care, which they breached by acting negligently.
- Their negligence directly caused you to suffer a head injury.
A personal injury solicitor will be able to assess your eligibility within minutes and guide you through all the steps of the head injury claims process.
Who can be held liable for a head or brain injury?
Liability for your injury will depend on who owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident and whether they breached that duty. Claims for head injuries are typically made against:
- Employers – If your injury happened at work because of a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, such as unsafe equipment or poor training.
- Road users – Drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists or even pedestrians can be held liable if a road traffic accident caused your head or brain injury.
- Businesses and occupiers – If you had an accident in a shop, supermarket, gym or another public place due to a breach of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
- Local authorities – Councils may be liable for injuries caused by hazards on public highways, pavements, parks or public buildings if they failed to maintain them properly.
If the injury resulted from an assault or violent crime, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). You can also read the official GOV.UK guidance on claiming criminal injuries compensation.
How long do I have to make a claim for a head injury?
Usually, you have three years from the date of the accident to claim compensation. However, we advise you to start your claim as soon as possible, as this will help secure evidence and improve your chances of success.
A few exceptions apply:
- You can make a claim on behalf of a child at any point before they turn 18, regardless of when the accident took place.
- There is generally no limitation period for a litigation friend to claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings, for as long as that lack of capacity continues.
- Criminal injury claims through the CICA must be made within two years of the assault.
How do I make a compensation claim for a head injury?
Making a head or brain injury claim usually involves the following steps:
- Get medical attention to have your injury diagnosed and treated.
- Gather evidence to prove how the accident happened and who was at fault.
- Contact a specialist head injury lawyer to discuss your claim.
- Determine who is at fault for your injury and how much compensation you deserve.
- Send a letter of claim to the defendant and negotiate a settlement.
- Issue court proceedings if you cannot settle.
Evidence needed to claim compensation for a head injury
The more evidence you have, the better your chances of winning the claim and securing fair compensation. This could include:
- Medical records and independent specialist reports.
- Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
- CCTV or dashcam footage capturing how the accident occurred.
- Statements from witnesses.
- Copies of accident and police reports.
- Records of expenses and lost earnings related to your injury.
How much compensation can I claim for a head injury?
The amount of compensation you receive if you win the claim will depend on the severity and type of injury, and its impact on your life.
Below are some examples of head injury compensation payouts awarded for general damages based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. These figures should only be used as an estimate, as the value of your claim will depend on your specific circumstances.
In addition, your claim will include financial losses and expenses, so your final payment could be much more significant.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Brain damage causing severe physical and cognitive disability, full-time nursing care and significantly reduced life expectancy | £373,000 - £534,000 |
| Brain damage causing serious disability, substantial dependence on others and reduced life expectancy | £289,000 - £373,000 | |
| Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 | |
| Brain damage with good recovery and return to work and social life, but possible ongoing concentration or memory issues | £20,000 - £57,000 | |
| A brain injury with full recovery within three years | £2,900 - £17,000 | |
| Epilepsy | Established epilepsy involving generalised motor, tonic-clonic or focal seizures. | £72,000 - £198,000 |
| Other epileptic conditions | £14,000 - £38,000 |
Compensation Calculator
Use our simple compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Calculate NowWhat type of injury or illness did you sustain?
Please select the relevant area of the body that was affected.
What type of injury or illness did you sustain?
Please select the relevant option from the list below.
What type of injury or illness did you sustain?
Please select the relevant option from the list below.
How severe was the injury or illness you sustained?
Please select the level of severity that most accurately describes your injury or illness.
You have selected the following injury
Did you have to take time off work?
If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, you can include any lost earnings, overtime, bonuses and commission payments in your claim.
If you are still off work, you can also include any future lost earnings you anticipate.
Please estimate your lost earnings below or leave blank if you would like to skip this.
Did you have any other expenses?
If you have incurred any other financial expenses, such as travel costs or medical expenses, you can add these below.
Your claim could be worth:
Want to find out more?
Simply enter your details into the form below and a friendly legal adviser will give you a call to discuss your claim. The solicitors we work with provide a No Win No Fee service, so there are no upfront costs and no financial risk.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy
Can I make a no win no fee head injury compensation claim?
If you experienced head trauma because of negligence or wrongdoing and you are entitled to compensation, a no win no fee solicitor will be happy to take on your case. They will represent you under a conditional fee agreement, which means that:
- You can start a claim without paying anything upfront.
- If you lose the case, you won’t have to pay anything at all.
You will only have to pay a success fee to your solicitor if you receive compensation. The success fee is an agreed percentage of the compensation awarded for your pain, suffering and past financial losses, always lower than 25%, that covers your solicitor’s services.
For which types of head and brain injuries could I claim compensation?
Head injuries range from minor bruises and concussions to severe fractures and brain trauma. The most common types of injuries that solicitors can help you claim compensation for include:
- Bumps and bruises – Minor trauma to the scalp or forehead causing swelling and bruising.
- Head lacerations – Severe trauma or sharp objects can tear the scalp, sometimes causing significant bleeding and scarring.
- Concussions – Concussions happen when the brain moves inside the skull after a fall or impact. Symptoms can include temporary loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and long-term brain damage.
- Skull fractures – Severe impacts to the head can lead to closed or open skull fractures. Some may cause serious brain injury and may require surgery.
- Subdural haematoma – Head injuries can lead to blood collecting between the brain and the skull, which can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of a brain or head injury?
Head injuries can cause various symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, these could include:
- Headaches, nausea and fatigue.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Balance problems.
- Memory loss or mood changes.
If you develop any of these symptoms, you should immediately see your GP or go to a hospital. If your head injury also affected the brain, you could suffer permanent damage without prompt medical intervention.
What are the most common causes of head injury claims?
You can suffer a head injury in many ways, and if someone else acted negligently, you may be entitled to make a head injury compensation claim. Common accidents include:
- Road traffic accidents – Head injuries from road traffic accidents range from minor bumps and concussions to severe brain trauma. Vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists are especially at risk.
- Accidents at work – You can make a workplace accident claim against your employer if you injured your head because of a slip at work, a fall from height or a falling object.
- Accidents in public places – Public liability claims for head injuries typically arise from slips, trips and falls on wet floors, broken pavements or cluttered walkways.
- Criminal assaults– Violent, unprovoked attacks with or without a weapon can cause various types of head injuries, from bumps and lacerations to severe skull fractures.
- Sports accidents – Many sports, including football, boxing, horse riding, hockey and skiing, can cause head injuries from faulty equipment, inadequate training or poor ground conditions.
How long does a head injury claim take?
Claims for minor injuries usually settle much faster than claims for severe head injuries with long-term complications. After assessing your case, your solicitor will be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take to settle your claim, based on your unique situation.
Your solicitor will aim to settle your case in the shortest time possible and secure interim payments during the claims process.
If you feel you may have a valid head injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser and find out if you are entitled to compensation.
