Less Severe PTSD
This category generally concerns PTSD where substantial recovery has occurred within one to two years and only limited ongoing symptoms remain. The assessment must consider the actual period and level of disability.
PTSD Compensation Calculator UK
Use our free PTSD compensation calculator to explore potential compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder in England and Wales. Select the severity category that best matches your documented condition and compare the indicative 2026 Judicial College Guidelines references. The calculator shows a live general damages range and lets you add optional lost earnings, therapy expenses, medication, travel and care costs. Complete three simple steps to view your calculation breakdown. This is an informational tool, not a clinical diagnosis, legal assessment or guaranteed compensation award.
Explore potential PTSD compensation using 2026 guideline references, a live estimate and three simple steps.
PTSD Compensation Tool
Severity · Financial Losses · Live Estimate
Free Online Calculator
PTSD Compensation Calculator
Select a PTSD severity category, review the indicative general damages reference and add optional financial losses. The full calculation breakdown appears in the final step.
Enter Your PTSD Details
Step 1 of 3
1
PTSD Severity
2
Financial Losses
3
Final Result
1
Which PTSD Severity Category Applies?
Select Your PTSD Severity
Choose the description that most closely matches your clinical evidence and prognosis. The calculator does not automatically diagnose or classify PTSD.
Important:
These are indicative judicial guideline
categories. Symptoms alone do not
determine the category. A clinical
diagnosis, medical evidence and
prognosis are important.
2
Financial Losses (Optional)
Have you lost money because of PTSD?
These losses are known as
special damages.
Enter supported expenses or skip
this step to view the selected
general damages reference alone.
Salary, overtime, missed work
or income lost because of
the condition, where recoverable.
£
Counselling, trauma-focused therapy,
medication, appointments,
rehabilitation and related travel.
£
Necessary assistance at home,
childcare and other reasonable
costs caused by the condition.
£
Total Entered Financial Losses
£0.00
What can you include? Lost earnings, prescribed medication, psychological treatment, counselling, appointment travel, care and other supported injury-related expenses. Do not enter the same cost twice.
3
Your Final Calculation
Your indicative calculation is ready.
The right panel now displays the
selected PTSD severity, general damages
reference, financial losses and
final illustrative range.
Live Estimated Compensation
£0.00
How It Works
How Does the PTSD Compensation Calculator Work?
The PTSD compensation calculator provides an indicative general damages reference for selected post-traumatic stress disorder categories from the 2026 Judicial College Guidelines. Users can include financial losses to explore an illustrative combined amount. This tool does not determine whether PTSD is present or select a category on the user's behalf.
Step 1: Choose Your PTSD Severity
Select less severe, moderate, moderately severe or severe PTSD using the clickable cards. Each category has a description and reference range. The live calculation panel updates immediately after selection. The category must ultimately be supported by appropriate clinical evidence.
Step 2: Add Financial Losses
Enter relevant lost earnings, therapy, medical expenses, travel and care costs. These are optional. The calculator adds the amounts entered to both ends of the chosen general damages bracket. Supporting records and legal recoverability remain important.
Step 3: Review Your Calculation
The final step reveals an itemised breakdown of the PTSD category, guideline range and financial losses. You may copy the result or go back to change the selected category. The result is indicative rather than a guaranteed settlement.
2026 Compensation Guidelines
PTSD Compensation Amounts UK
The Judicial College Guidelines provide references for general damages for post-traumatic stress disorder. The four categories below reflect published 18th edition figures from April 2026. These are not fixed awards.
| PTSD Category | General Damages Reference |
|---|---|
| Less Severe PTSD | £5,220–£10,810 |
| Moderate PTSD | £10,810–£30,580 |
| Moderately Severe PTSD | £30,580–£79,080 |
| Severe PTSD | £79,080–£133,000 |
Important:
These are PTSD-specific general damages
categories, not the separate brackets
for general psychiatric injury.
The appropriate category requires
medical evidence concerning symptoms,
functional effects and prognosis.
Understanding PTSD Severity
What Do the PTSD Compensation Categories Mean?
The categories relate to the impact of PTSD on day-to-day life, relationships, work and likely recovery. They are legal valuation references, not a self-diagnosis tool.
Moderate PTSD
Moderate PTSD generally involves meaningful recovery, although some symptoms or difficulties may remain. Continuing effects are less disabling than those associated with the higher guideline categories.
Moderately Severe PTSD
This category concerns significant persisting problems, with a more favourable outlook for some recovery through professional treatment than the severe PTSD category.
Severe PTSD
Severe PTSD involves serious and long-term consequences for a person's ability to function in everyday life and relationships. Medical prognosis and functional impairment are central.
Medical Diagnosis
A PTSD assessment may involve a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or another suitably qualified mental health professional. The diagnosis and supporting evidence cannot be replaced by an online calculator.
Recovery and Prognosis
Treatment, progress, ongoing functional difficulties and likely long-term outcome can affect the appropriate guideline category. The same traumatic event may affect people differently.
Understanding PTSD
Common PTSD Symptoms and Their Potential Impact
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after frightening or distressing events. A diagnosis requires appropriate professional assessment. Symptoms may affect sleep, relationships, work and everyday activities.
Intrusive Memories and Flashbacks
Some people experience unwanted memories, distressing dreams or flashbacks related to trauma. These may interfere with concentration and daily activities.
Avoidance and Anxiety
People may avoid certain places, people or situations associated with the traumatic experience. Hypervigilance and persistent anxiety may also occur.
Sleep Difficulties
Nightmares and disturbed sleep may contribute to tiredness, difficulties concentrating and reduced daily functioning.
Work and Relationships
PTSD can affect employment, social activities and personal relationships. The degree and duration of impairment may be relevant to compensation where a valid claim exists.
Compensation Explained
How Is PTSD Compensation Calculated?
Where the relevant legal requirements are established, a PTSD claim may involve general damages for the condition and special damages for supported financial losses.
General Damages
General damages concern pain, suffering and loss of amenity. PTSD-related effects, recovery, severity and prognosis are considered when identifying an appropriate valuation.
Special Damages
These may include lost earnings, psychological treatment, medication, appointment travel, rehabilitation and other reasonable expenses, subject to evidence and recoverability.
Other Legal Considerations
Actual compensation depends on legal liability, causation, contributory negligence and other case-specific factors. The calculator does not establish whether a claim will succeed.
Compensation Factors
What Affects PTSD Compensation in the UK?
PTSD compensation can vary widely even where the traumatic events appear similar. Assessment focuses on the actual diagnosed condition, its effects and recovery prospects.
Severity of Psychological Injury
The impact on everyday function, work and relationships is relevant to identifying the applicable PTSD guideline bracket.
Recovery and Long-Term Prognosis
Medical evidence of recovery, persistent symptoms and likely future outcomes helps distinguish between the guideline categories.
Psychological Treatment
Treatment may include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy or EMDR. Records of clinical treatment and response can help explain the condition's effects.
Employment Consequences
PTSD may affect a person's ability to work or maintain previous duties. Supported income losses may be relevant as special damages.
Other Injuries
Physical injuries and other psychological conditions may occur alongside PTSD. Any combined valuation should avoid double-counting overlapping effects.
Example Calculation
Example PTSD Compensation Calculation
Suppose appropriate medical evidence supports the moderate PTSD category. The following example adds £2,000 of assumed recoverable financial losses.
| Calculation Component | Illustrative Amount |
|---|---|
| Moderate PTSD General Damages | £10,810–£30,580 |
| Lost Earnings | £1,200 |
| Therapy, Medical and Travel | £650 |
| Care and Other Costs | £150 |
| Total Financial Losses | £2,000 |
| Illustrative Combined Range | £12,810–£32,580 |
The calculator adds £2,000 to both ends of the general damages reference. This produces £12,810–£32,580 before any additional legal adjustments. The result is illustrative only and is not a settlement prediction.
Supporting Evidence
What Evidence May Be Needed for a PTSD Claim?
A PTSD compensation claim may require evidence of the diagnosed condition, the incident alleged to have caused it, its consequences and relevant financial losses.
Medical Diagnosis and Reports
GP notes, psychological or psychiatric assessments and medical reports may help establish the condition, severity and prognosis.
Treatment Records
Counselling, trauma-focused therapy, medication and other relevant treatment records may document the symptoms and recovery.
Evidence of the Incident
Accident reports, witness information and other relevant documentation may help establish the circumstances and liability.
Financial Records
Payslips, treatment invoices, travel receipts and other supporting evidence may help demonstrate potentially recoverable expenses.
Legal Information
Can You Claim Compensation for PTSD?
PTSD may arise after a serious accident or traumatic incident. Whether a compensation claim is available depends on the applicable legal duty, causation and evidence. A PTSD diagnosis alone does not automatically create entitlement to compensation.
PTSD After a Road Traffic Accident
A person involved in a road accident may experience psychological injuries. The applicable legal requirements and claims procedure must be assessed according to the circumstances.
PTSD Following Workplace Incidents
Serious workplace accidents or traumatic events may result in psychological harm. Employer responsibility depends on the relevant duties and evidence.
PTSD and Other Personal Injuries
A person may experience PTSD alongside physical injuries. A combined assessment should account for the overall effects without double recovery for overlapping harm.
Time Limits for PTSD Claims
Many negligence-based personal injury claims in England and Wales normally fall under a three-year limitation framework in the Limitation Act 1980. Exceptions and dates of knowledge may change the relevant deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
PTSD Compensation Calculator FAQs
How much compensation can I claim for PTSD?
PTSD compensation depends on the medically supported guideline category, effects on life and work, prognosis and any legally recoverable financial losses. No single figure applies to every PTSD claim.
What is the compensation range for moderate PTSD?
The reported Judicial College Guidelines 18th edition reference for moderate PTSD is £10,810–£30,580. The appropriate category requires medical evidence.
How much compensation is available for severe PTSD?
The severe PTSD general damages reference is £79,080–£133,000 in the 2026 Guidelines. This does not establish an individual's entitlement or guaranteed payout.
Can I claim PTSD compensation after a car accident?
A PTSD claim may be possible where applicable legal requirements, including liability and causation, are established. The medical diagnosis and incident evidence are important.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to use the calculator?
You can explore the indicative ranges without entering medical records. However, selecting a category does not establish PTSD or prove entitlement to compensation. A valid claim requires appropriate evidence.
Can I include therapy expenses and lost earnings?
The calculator lets you enter therapy, medical, travel and income losses. Actual recovery depends on evidence, causation and the relevant legal rules.
Why does the PTSD calculator initially show £0.00?
The initial £0.00 is simply a placeholder. After you select a severity category, the calculator displays its general damages reference. It does not mean an unselected condition has zero value.
Is the PTSD compensation estimate guaranteed?
No. The result is an illustrative calculation using your selected category and entered financial losses. A professional assessment requires medical evidence and consideration of liability.
Related Tools
Related Personal Injury Compensation Calculators
Explore other injury-specific tools and general personal injury compensation references.
Sources and Methodology
Official Information and Calculation Methodology
The monetary reference amounts reflect selected PTSD categories reported from the Judicial College Guidelines 18th edition (2026). These are judicial guidelines, not statutory government tariffs. The official resources below support clinical, treatment and legal background information, rather than the compensation bracket values themselves.
Reference review: November 2026. The calculator provides general information only.