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Facial injury claims

A facial injury can change how you look, how you feel, and how you move through everyday life. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to make a facial injury compensation claim. Our specialist team is here to guide you through every step.

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Author

Fiona Swarbrick

Associate Solicitor, Head of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

20th July 2026

Can I make a facial injury claim?

You can make a facial injury claim if your injury was someone else’s fault. Facial injuries are not just physically painful; they can affect your confidence, your mental health, and your sense of self in ways that go far beyond the visible damage.Our team can offer guidance and support, to help you feel like yourself again

People bring a facial injury claim forward after experiencing a number of incident types. You might suffer a facial injury in a road traffic collision, involving motorcycles, bicycles, buses, taxis, or rideshare vehicles. An accident at work, a slip or fall in a public place, or an incident involving medical negligence, could also result in a facial injury.

Facial injuries that happen in sports settings, or caused by poorly maintained equipment and inadequate safety precautions, may result in a claim. In some cases, you might suffer a facial injury from a physical assault or violent crime. In these circumstances, you might be eligible to claim through CICA, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. We have over 40 years of experience handling CICA cases, and can confidently guide you through that process too.

If some time has passed since your injury, you might still be able to claim. You usually have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim, though there are exceptions. For example, if the injured person is a child, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. If you’re uncertain, our expert team can advise.

Example of a facial injury claim

A motorcyclist might find themselves in a road traffic collision, when the driver of a car fails to check their blind spot before pulling out of a junction. The collision might result in a number of complex injuries, including disfigurement to the face which requires surgery and a long recovery process. If we can argue that the driver of the vehicle didn’t follow the required Highway Code procedures, or operate their vehicle in a safe and expected manner, taking necessary steps to check for bikers before pulling into a main road, there could be grounds for compensation.

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What compensation can help with

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Covering the cost of treatment, surgery, and rebuilding your confidence.

Facial injury compensation helps to address both the physical and psychological impact of a facial injury. These claims aim to restore a sense of justice, acknowledge your pain and suffering, and recover financial losses associated with the injury – such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost earnings.

The visible effects of a facial injury, such as scarring, asymmetry, fractures to the nose, cheekbones, or jaw, or damage to the teeth, can require extensive treatment over months or even years. Facial injuries can also carry a psychological weight.

Successful facial injury claims may help fund:

  • Reconstructive surgery and cosmetic procedures
  • Dental treatment, including crowns, implants, and orthodontics
  • Psychological therapy and counselling
  • Physiotherapy to restore facial muscle and joint function
  • Loss of current and future earnings
  • Rehabilitation and ongoing care costs
  • Travel and transport costs related to your treatment and recovery
Understanding the potential value

We also secured £75,000 for a cyclist who suffered significant facial and dental trauma after being struck by a vehicle, alongside rehabilitation and psychological support. In another case, a retiree was awarded £7,500 after suffering cuts to her face and head following a slip while leaving a concert. In more serious cases, total settlements can be significantly higher. Our solicitor Emily Whiteley helped secure £625,000 in compensation for Mr Hudson, who suffered devastating facial injuries following a negligent delay in diagnosing aggressive salivary gland cancer.

Understanding interim payments

We understand that waiting for a facial injury claim to reach its conclusion can put real financial pressure on you and your family. Where possible, we will apply for interim payments on your behalf. Interim payments are made during the claims process, before a final settlement is reached, and help you to access reconstructive treatment, dental care, or psychological support while your case is still ongoing.

Specialist facial injury solicitors

We support people through complex and emotionally challenging facial injury claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your facial injury claim?

Our deep understanding of facial injury compensation claims, combined with our network of trusted medical experts and professionals, means we can build a strong claim on your behalf. We understand that facial injuries can affect a person’s confidence, mental health, and overall quality of life. Our dedicated team of solicitors, have extensive experience in handling complex facial injury and scarring claims with care, precision, and empathy. We bring together legal expertise, clinical insight, and a genuine understanding of what you are going through.

Expertise you can rely on

  • Specialist facial injury solicitors with extensive experience across personal injury and clinical negligence claims
  • APIL-accredited solicitors handling complex and high-value cases
  • Facial injury settlements secured upwards of £625,000
  • Access to a trusted network of medical experts, including reconstructive surgeons, dental specialists, and psychologists
  • In-house rehabilitation support, helping you access care and treatment as early as possible
  • Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we have supported
  • Over 30 years of experience, including specialist CICA claims for those injured in assaults or violent crimes
  • ‘No Win, No Fee’, so you can pursue your claim without any financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

Suffering a facial injury because of someone else’s negligence can be really difficult to cope with. In many cases, people suffer facial injuries alongside other serious injuries, which means the physical recovery process can be significant – involving surgeries, dental work, and physiotherapy. The journey can take months, or even years.

Many people also find that the emotional impact is just as hard to live with. Changes to your appearance can affect your confidence, your identity, and how comfortable you feel in everyday situations, like work or socialising. We know that these feelings are heavy, and we recognise all of these challenges as something that should be compensated for.

We know that the practical pressures can mount quickly, too. Lost income while you recover, the cost of ongoing treatment, and the uncertainty about what the future holds can all add to the burden at a time when your focus should be on getting better.

We will handle every part of the process, keep you informed at each stage, and work to secure facial injury compensation that covers your immediate costs, as well as everything you need for your recovery and wellbeing.

FAQs about facial injury claims

How long does a facial injury claim take to settle?

The time it takes to settle a facial injury compensation claim depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how straightforward communication with the other party is. If court proceedings are issued, this can add to the timeline, though that is relatively uncommon.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will give you an estimated timeframe. As negotiations progress, they will keep you updated if anything changes. Our aim is always to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible, while making sure the outcome truly reflects the impact of your injuries.

What evidence is needed for a facial injury claim?

Building a strong facial injury compensation claim involves gathering a range of evidence. This typically includes:

  • Detailed medical records relating to your injury and treatment
  • Independent expert medical reports
  • Photographic evidence of your injuries
  • Personal statements from you and any witnesses
  • A clear timeline of your treatment and recovery

 

Your solicitor will guide you through what is needed and handle the process of gathering and presenting this evidence on your behalf.

What support will I receive during my facial injury claim?

From the moment you get in touch, our focus is on making the process feel as clear and manageable as possible. You will have a dedicated and experienced solicitor managing your claim from start to finish, keeping you informed at every stage.

Where appropriate, we will also work to secure early interim payments so you can access treatment such as reconstructive procedures, dental care, or psychological therapy, without having to wait for your case to conclude. We have an in-house rehabilitation team and strong relationships with leading medical experts, which means we can connect you with the right specialists throughout your recovery.

Can I claim if my facial injury was partly my fault?

In many cases, you can still make a claim even if you were partly responsible for what happened. This is known as contributory negligence, which means the other party was also at fault, even if not entirely.

Your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility, but you may still be entitled to a significant award. We will give you an honest assessment of your situation from the outset.

Can I claim if my facial injury happened abroad?

Yes. It’s possible to make a facial injury compensation claim even if the injury happened outside the UK. Our legal team includes dedicated international injury lawyers who can advise on the options available and help you understand whether you are eligible to claim.

Get in touch, and we will talk through your situation.

Can I claim through CICA if my facial injury was caused by an assault?

If your facial injury resulted from a physical assault or violent crime, you may be eligible to claim compensation through CICA, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. In most cases, applications should be made within two years of the incident, though there are exceptions where physical or mental health has prevented an earlier application.

Fletchers has over 30 years of experience handling CICA claims and can support you throughout.

How much does it cost to make a facial injury claim?

Your claim starts with a free initial consultation and case assessment. We will listen to what happened, answer your questions, and advise on your next steps with no obligation to proceed.

If we take on your case, we offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangement. This means there is nothing to pay upfront, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If your claim is successful, our fee is deducted from your compensation, as agreed with your solicitor. This means the process is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.

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With offices across the UK, we’re never too far away, helping people access specialist advice and support wherever they are.

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