Concussion
Concussion can follow a blow or sudden movement of the head. Symptoms may involve headache, dizziness, memory problems or confusion. Some people recover quickly while others experience persistent symptoms.
Head Injury Compensation Calculator UK
Use our free head injury compensation calculator to explore possible compensation for a concussion, minor head injury or more serious injury involving neurological impairment. Answer two questions about the reported injury and its medically supported severity, then include optional lost earnings, treatment, rehabilitation and care costs. Our calculator uses selected 2026 Judicial College Guidelines references for England and Wales. Results are illustrative and do not guarantee a compensation award.
Free Online Calculator
Head Injury Compensation Calculator
Select the reported head injury type and medically supported severity. Add optional financial losses and view your detailed calculation in Step 3.
Enter Your Head Injury Details
Step 1 of 3
1
Injury Details
2
Financial Losses
3
Final Result
1
Tell Us About the Head Injury
What Type of Head Injury Was Reported?
Choose the medical description closest to the reported injury. This choice helps filter relevant guideline categories.
Select Your Head Injury Severity Category
Choose the category consistent with medical findings, recovery and prognosis. This is not a diagnostic questionnaire.
Select the reported injury type to
display the relevant categories.
Medical safety:
Head injuries can be serious even when
symptoms appear mild. If a person has
worsening neurological symptoms,
loss of consciousness, seizures,
difficulty speaking or other emergency
warning signs, seek urgent medical
help. A calculator cannot determine
medical urgency.
2
Financial Losses (Optional)
Enter documented income, medical,
rehabilitation or care expenses.
You can skip these fields if
you do not wish to include losses.
Future lifetime losses generally
require an expert assessment.
Income already lost because of
time off work or reduced earnings.
£
Rehabilitation, medical consultations,
therapy, prescriptions and travel
to appointments.
£
Documented care, household assistance,
equipment or necessary adaptations.
£
Total Entered Financial Losses
£0.00
Enter each loss only once and keep evidence. Actual legal recoverability is not determined by this calculator.
3
Your Final Calculation
Your illustrative calculation is ready.
The panel on the right displays the
selected medical category, general
damages reference and individual
financial losses.
Live Estimated Compensation
£0.00
How It Works
How Does the Head Injury Compensation Calculator Work?
Our head injury compensation calculator helps users explore reported Judicial College Guidelines reference amounts for minor head injuries, concussion and medically documented brain damage. The tool separates the injury type, severity and possible financial losses rather than treating every head impact as a brain injury.
Step 1: Choose the Injury Type and Severity
Select the reported injury from the first question. The second question then displays relevant medical guideline categories. For example, an uncomplicated minor injury and severe permanent brain damage have very different reference ranges. A diagnosis and professional prognosis are needed to justify any particular category.
Step 2: Add Financial Losses
Enter known lost earnings, treatment, rehabilitation, travel and care expenses. You may skip these fields if you have no figures available. The calculator does not independently estimate future lifetime support costs.
Step 3: Review the Final Result
The final screen shows the general damages reference, individual entered losses and combined indicative amount. Visitors may edit their entries, start again or copy the calculation. The result is not a legally assessed compensation award.
2026 Compensation References
Head Injury Compensation Amounts UK
The following general damages references are reported from the 18th edition (2026) of the Judicial College Guidelines. Head and brain injuries are classified according to their medically established effects and long-term consequences.
| Injury Category | General Damages Reference |
|---|---|
| Minor Head / Brain Injury | £2,920–£16,870 |
| Less Severe Brain Damage | £20,240–£56,890 |
| Moderate Brain Damage (iii) | £56,890–£119,860 |
| Moderate Brain Damage (ii) | £119,860–£198,320 |
| Moderate Brain Damage (i) | £198,320–£289,420 |
| Moderately Severe Brain Damage | £289,420–£372,570 |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | £372,570–£533,720 |
Note:
This table covers head and brain
injury references. It does not
assign an independent figure
for scalp cuts, facial scarring,
superficial bruises or isolated
skull fractures without evidence
supporting a particular
head/brain category.
Head Injury Types
Common Types of Head Injuries
A head injury may involve the scalp, skull or brain. The location of damage alone does not determine compensation; the actual medical consequences must be considered.
Minor Head Injury
Minor head injuries may result in temporary pain or symptoms with no substantial lasting neurological impairment. Medical assessment remains important after an accident.
Skull Fracture
Skull fractures may occur after significant trauma. The assessment depends on the fracture, associated injury and any lasting effects. A fracture is not automatically classified as brain damage.
Scalp Lacerations
Cuts or wounds to the scalp may require treatment and can leave scarring. Valuation may involve other injury or scarring guidelines rather than a brain injury bracket.
Traumatic Brain Injury
More serious head trauma may damage the brain and cause enduring problems with memory, mobility, communication or independence.
Post-Concussion Symptoms
Some people continue to experience concentration difficulties, fatigue or headaches after concussion. Medical evidence is needed to evaluate persistent effects.
Compensation Explained
How Is Head Injury Compensation Calculated?
Where legal responsibility is established, compensation may contain general damages for the injury and special damages for associated financial losses.
General Damages
General damages address pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Severity, duration of symptoms, neurological effects and medical prognosis matter.
Special Damages
Potentially recoverable financial losses may include lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation, travel, care and equipment.
Long-Term Support Costs
Complex head injuries may cause ongoing care or future earning losses. Such amounts generally require specialist professional evidence.
Compensation Factors
What Factors Affect Head Injury Compensation?
The value of a head injury claim depends on the nature of the damage, its recovery and the impact on the injured person's life. Initial symptoms alone may not indicate long-term severity.
Medical Diagnosis
Clinical findings, hospital records and investigations help establish whether the injury is superficial, concussive or associated with more significant neurological damage.
Duration of Recovery
Recovery may be rapid or involve persistent headaches, fatigue or cognitive difficulties. Medical prognosis helps determine the relevant injury category.
Memory and Concentration
Lasting cognitive effects can interfere with education, employment and daily tasks. Neuropsychological reports may be relevant where symptoms are significant.
Physical and Functional Effects
Balance, movement, coordination, communication and independence may be affected in more serious injuries.
Financial Impact
Lost earnings, treatment, care and rehabilitation expenses can contribute to a claim when reasonable, causally related and legally recoverable.
Worked Example
Example Head Injury Compensation Calculation
Consider a medically supported minor head injury with £2,000 of assumed legally recoverable financial losses.
| Calculation Component | Illustrative Amount |
|---|---|
| Minor Head/Brain Injury | £2,920–£16,870 |
| Lost Earnings | £1,200 |
| Medical and Travel | £500 |
| Care and Other Costs | £300 |
| Total Financial Losses | £2,000 |
| Illustrative Combined Range | £4,920–£18,870 |
This example adds the £2,000 of expenses to both ends of the selected general damages range. It does not establish eligibility for this injury category, liability or the actual value of a settlement.
Supporting Evidence
What Evidence Is Needed for a Head Injury Claim?
Head injury claims may require evidence about both the accident and the medical consequences. Documentation should support the injury, recovery and any financial losses being claimed.
Medical Records
Hospital notes, GP records, imaging and specialist reports can establish the nature of the injury. Neurological assessments may be required in more serious cases.
Symptoms and Recovery
Medical follow-up records and rehabilitation notes may help demonstrate the duration of symptoms and continuing limitations.
Accident Evidence
Photographs, incident reports, witness accounts and other records may help establish the circumstances of the injury.
Financial Documentation
Payslips, invoices, travel receipts and care records may support the calculation of potentially recoverable financial losses.
Legal Information
Can You Claim Compensation for a Head Injury?
Head injuries may arise in road traffic collisions, workplace incidents, slips and falls or medical circumstances. The occurrence of an injury alone does not establish legal entitlement.
Road Traffic Accidents
Drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists may suffer head trauma. Legal liability depends on the individual accident.
Accidents at Work
Falls from height, falling objects and workplace hazards may cause head injuries. Relevant safety duties and accident evidence must be examined.
Public Liability Accidents
A fall on unsafe premises or a damaged walkway can cause head trauma. A valid claim requires the appropriate legal basis and evidence.
Claim Time Limits
Many personal injury negligence claims in England and Wales normally follow a three-year limitation framework. Important exceptions may apply, including cases involving children or a lack of capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Head Injury Compensation Calculator FAQs
How much compensation can I claim for a head injury?
Compensation depends on the severity and medical effects of the injury, legal liability and financial losses. The calculator displays selected guideline references rather than a guaranteed amount.
How much compensation is available for a minor head injury?
The reported 2026 general damages reference for a minor head or brain injury is £2,920–£16,870. The actual category depends on symptoms, recovery and medical evidence.
Can I use this calculator for a concussion?
Yes. Concussion and minor head injury are supported options where appropriate medical evidence exists. The calculator cannot diagnose concussion or establish its severity.
Does a skull fracture have a fixed compensation amount?
No. A skull fracture requires an individual assessment of associated injuries and long-term consequences. The presence of a fracture does not automatically establish permanent brain damage.
Can I calculate compensation for a scalp cut or scar?
A scalp-only injury may require a separate assessment under relevant minor injury or scarring guidance. This tool does not invent a brain injury amount for superficial wounds.
Can I include lost earnings and medical expenses?
Yes. The second step allows documented income losses, medical expenses, treatment, travel and care costs to be entered. Their recovery depends on evidence and law.
Why does the calculator initially show £0.00?
The initial amount is only a placeholder. It changes after a supported injury type and severity category are selected.
Is the head injury compensation estimate guaranteed?
No. The calculator provides an illustrative arithmetic reference. Medical evidence, liability, prognosis and the legally recoverable losses must be assessed individually.
Related Tools
Related Personal Injury Compensation Calculators
Compare injury compensation reference tools for related conditions and accident injuries.
Sources and Methodology
Official Sources and Calculation Methodology
Monetary references are selected brain and head injury general damages categories reported from the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (April 2026). The guidelines are not guaranteed awards. Official links below provide medical and legal context, rather than reproducing the compensation brackets.
Reference review: November 2026. This page provides general information, not personal medical or legal advice.