If you've suffered a broken tooth or other dental injuries in an accident that wasn't your fault, contact us to start a teeth damage compensation claim.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Teeth Damage Claims
If you suffered a tooth injury due to somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A teeth damage claim can arise from many situations, including road traffic accidents, slips, trips and falls, workplace accidents and physical assaults.
Tooth injuries range from chipped or cracked teeth to infections and loss of one or more teeth. These can be painful and have a long-lasting impact on your well-being and finances. A compensation claim can help you recover all your losses, including pain, suffering and any financial impact, such as time off work.
To find out if you may be able to claim compensation for damage to your teeth, call 0800 470 0472 for a free case assessment. Alternatively, use our online claim form to request a call back with no obligation to proceed.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a teeth damage claim?
Yes, you may be eligible to claim compensation if you have suffered a tooth injury and the following criteria apply to your case:
- Another party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing.
- Their breach of duty directly caused damage to your teeth.
- You are within the legal timeframe to start a claim.
A specialist personal injury solicitor can let you know within minutes if you are entitled to compensation for damage to teeth during a free case review over the phone.
Your right to claim is not waived if you were partially at fault for your injury (for example, by not wearing a seatbelt during a car accident). In this case, however, any compensation awarded to you will likely be reduced to reflect your contributory negligence.
Who is liable for a teeth compensation claim?
Depending on how you suffered damage to your teeth, various parties could be liable for compensation. These include:
- Your employer, if your injury happened at work due to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- A business owner, if the injury happened in a public place, such as a gym, restaurant or supermarket, and it was caused by a breach of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.
- A driver who caused a road traffic accident by failing to comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- A dentist, if you received substandard care during a medical appointment.
In most cases, any compensation awarded will be paid out by the defendant’s insurer, with a few exceptions:
- Following an assault or another violent crime, claims are typically made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
- Claims for road accidents involving a hit and run or uninsured driver are made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
What are the time limits for teeth damage compensation claims?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, the standard time limit to make a claim for teeth damage is three years, starting from the date of the accident that caused your injury.
Even if three years seems like plenty of time, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the easier it is to gather witness statements, medical records, and other evidence to support your claim.
There are a few exceptions to the three-year limitation date that apply to children, individuals who are mentally incapacitated and criminal injury claims through the CICA. Read more: What is the time limit to make a personal injury claim?
How do I make a claim for damage to teeth?
To make a teeth damage injury claim, you would usually first contact a personal injury lawyer. They will evaluate your case and advise you on your legal rights and the strength of your claim. If you can proceed, they will offer you a no win no fee agreement.
Here is a general overview of the personal injury claims process:
- You will receive a free initial consultation to assess the strength of your claim.
- Once you appoint your solicitor, they will help you gather the evidence needed to build a compelling case.
- The next step is to notify the defendant that you intend to make a personal injury claim and the amount of compensation you seek.
- The defendant will either accept liability and proceed to negotiations or deny it.
- If they deny liability, your solicitor will issue court proceedings and work to gather further evidence.
- If successful, you will receive compensation to cover your pain, suffering and financial losses, which is typically paid within a few weeks of settlement.
Your solicitor will offer you support and guidance at every step and work hard to maximise your compensation amount.
How much compensation could I receive for a teeth damage claim?
The amount of compensation awarded for tooth damage is calculated on a case-by-case basis and will cover two types of damages: general damages are awarded for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities, while special damages are awarded for any financial losses incurred as a result.
More specifically, your claim could cover:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish and emotional distress.
- Any impact on your hobbies and daily activities.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- The cost of remedial dental treatment and prescriptions.
- Loss of earnings during recovery and impact on future earning potential.
- Travel expenses for dental appointments, such as parking and fuel.
Special damages are supported by evidence such as receipts and invoices and are usually easier to calculate. General damages, on the other hand, are subjective and do not have a monetary value attached to them. They are based on guidelines from the Judicial College (18th Edition) and, according to your specific situation, they could amount to:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Damage To Teeth | Loss or damage to back teeth (valued per tooth) | £1,400 - £2,300 |
| Loss or serious damage to one front tooth | £2,900 - £5,200 | |
| Loss or serious damage to two front teeth | £5,800 - £10,000 | |
| Loss or serious damage to several front teeth | £12,000 - £15,000 | |
| Chronic tooth pain with general deterioration of the teeth | Up to £50,000 |
Can I make a tooth injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. If you have a valid case, you could make a teeth damage claim on a no win no fee basis. That means you do not have to pay any upfront legal fees, so you can hire legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Under this agreement, your injury lawyer only receives payment if you win the claim. In this case, they will be entitled to a success fee deducted from your compensation award. This fee is capped at 25% of the damages for your injuries and past financial losses. You do not have to pay them a single penny if you lose.
What evidence do I need to claim teeth damage compensation?
The evidence needed to support a dental injury claim must prove how the injury occurred, who was at fault, and the impact on your life. The key types of evidence you should aim to gather include:
- Medical records, including your dental records and the type and severity of your injury.
- A detailed diagnosis from a dentist confirming the extent of the damage, your treatment plans and the associated costs.
- Photos or videos of the accident scene and any hazards that caused it.
- If available, CCTV or dashcam footage can show, without a doubt, what happened.
- A copy of an accident report if the injury happened at work or in a public place.
- Statements from witnesses, such as friends, family, colleagues and bystanders.
- Evidence of psychological impact if the injury has caused distress, anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life.
- Proof of financial losses and expenses incurred because of your injury.
What accidents could lead to a tooth injury?
Tooth injuries, such as chipped, cracked or broken teeth, can result from many different types of accidents. The most common include:
Cyclists and motorbike riders are particularly vulnerable to tooth injuries if they are thrown off their bikes, especially if they are not wearing proper protective gear.
- Slips, trips and falls caused by wet floors or loose cables.
- Falling objects in warehouses, construction sites and storage areas.
- Workplace tools and machinery that are faulty or lack safety guards.
Employers have a legal duty to prevent workplace injuries, including those affecting teeth. Failure to do so could make them liable for compensation for tooth damage.
- Direct blows to the face, common in boxing, football, rugby and hockey.
- Falls or collisions in sports like skiing, skateboarding, cycling or horse riding.
A dental injury in a public place accident claim can result from:
- Slips, trips and falls caused by wet floors or broken pavements.
- Trampling in crowded areas such as event venues.
- Being hit by falling objects, such as poorly stacked items on shelves.
- Broken equipment or a lack of safety mats on playgrounds.
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, anyone injured by a defective product can claim compensation without having to prove negligence. You must only prove that the product was faulty and caused your injury.
If your accident was not listed above, you may still be able to make a teeth damage claim, as long as another party was at least partially responsible for it.
Can I make a dental negligence claim for tooth damage?
Yes, you could make a dental negligence claim if your teeth were damaged or you suffered unnecessary harm due to substandard medical care, such as:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of gum disease, tooth infections, or oral cancer.
- Negligent extractions, root canals, or fillings that lead to pain or further damage.
- Removing the wrong tooth or carrying out an unnecessary extraction.
- Nerve damage during dental procedures.
- Infections due to poor hygiene or aftercare.
- Poorly fitted crowns, bridges, dentures, or implants.
- Lack of informed consent about the risks and alternatives of a treatment.
Frequently asked questions
- A lack of risk assessments.
- Inadequate PPE, such as face shields or mouthguards.
- A lack of training and instructions.
- Poorly maintained equipment and machinery.
- Unsafe working conditions.
If you receive unfair treatment following your claim, a specialist lawyer can help you make a further claim at an employment tribunal.
The CICA scheme has its own tariff for injuries, according to which you could receive:
- £1,000 for damage to one or more front teeth needing crowns.
- £1,800 for fractures requiring apicoectomy surgery.
- £1,500 for the loss of one front tooth.
- £2,400 for losing two or three front teeth.
- £3,500 for the loss of four or more front teeth.
- £1,500 for the loss of two or more back teeth.
- Playground accidents due to a lack of supervision or broken equipment.
- School accidents caused by wet or uneven floors in classrooms.
- Road traffic accidents caused by negligent drivers or poor road conditions.
- Dental negligence from healthcare professionals.
To make a claim on behalf of your child, the court must appoint you as their litigation friend. If the claim is successful and your child is awarded compensation, this is typically held in a court bank account or personal injury trust and released to the child on their 18th birthday.
For example, a straightforward claim following a road accident could be settled within 3–9 months, while a complex medical negligence case could take over 18 months to conclude. Your solicitor can potentially secure interim payments on your behalf while the claim is ongoing.
To find out if you are eligible to start a teeth damage claim, call our team on 0800 470 0472 for a free case assessment. Alternatively, you can also use our online claim form to request a call back, and you will be contacted by a friendly legal adviser.
