By Lewis Lennon. Last Updated 28th April 2023. A broken jaw can be painful and have a negative impact on your quality of life for a period of time. If you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault or you were assaulted, you may be eligible to claim compensation for a broken jaw.
A broken jaw can cause you problems with eating, drinking and speaking. The injury and recovery process can be difficult. Furthermore, you may be left with permanent side effects following an injury of this nature.
Claiming compensation for a broken jaw guide
If you think you may be eligible to claim compensation for a fractured jaw or broken jaw injury, Advice.co.uk can help you.
To begin your broken jaw compensation claim call us today on 0161 696 9685 or write to us about your ordeal using our online accident claims form. We can offer you free legal advice and, if we can see that you qualify to claim compensation for your broken jaw injury, we can connect you to our panel of personal injury solicitors. If they decide to take your case on they will offer No Win No Fee terms.
Select A Section
- A Guide On Claiming Compensation For A Broken Jaw
- Calculating Compensation For A Broken Jaw
- Special Damages Claim Calculator
- What Is A Broken Or Fractured Jaw?
- How Long Do I Have To Claim Broken Jaw Compensation?
- What Could Be The Effects Of A Broken Jaw?
- Broken Jaw Bone Symptoms
- What Could Cause A Broken Or Fractured Jaw?
- Broken Jaw Assault Compensation
- Fractured Jaw Road Traffic Accident Compensation
- Broken Jaw Slip And Fall Compensation
- Jaw Fracture Treatment And Diagnosis
- FAQs On Compensation For A Broken Jaw
- No Win No Fee Compensation For A Broken Jaw
- Contact Us
- More Information
A Guide On Claiming Compensation For A Broken Jaw
Sometimes, broken jaw injuries need to be operated on, which affects a patients ability to talk or and eat for a little while why they recover. This can have a serious impact on the person’s quality of life and self-confidence.
In order to hold a valid claim for personal injury compensation, your case must meet certain criteria. Firstly, you must be able to establish you were owed a duty of care. Secondly, this duty was breached through negligent practices. Thirdly, your injury of a broken jaw was caused through neglige. Moreover, a broken jaw can also be caused d by an assault. If you were injured in an unprovoked attack then you may be able to make a criminal injury claim. This can either be done by making a personal injury claim against the defendant. Or through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
In this broken jaw claims guide, we will explain how to claim for broken jaw assault compensation and broken jaw accident compensation.
This guide will also look at what a broken jaw is and the kinds of accidents that might cause this kind of injury. We’ll look at how an injury of this nature might affect you, which in turn could affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
In addition, we will look at how compensation is calculated and the kinds of damages that might be included in a claim. We’ll also look at what a No Win No Fee agreement is, and how you can benefit from this kind of agreement when making a claim.
Continue reading for free legal advice on how to claim. Alternatively, if you are ready to begin your broken jaw injury claim call us today to speak to an advisor or contact us in writing by filling out our online claims form.
Calculating Compensation For A Broken Jaw
“How much compensation do you get for a broken jaw?”, is a question many of our clients ask us. It’s a difficult one to answer, as each claim is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In a successful claim, the compensation you’re awarded will be made up of general and special damages. General damages is the part of your compensation that’s awarded for the injuries you’ve sustained.
General damages are calculated by referring to the guidelines set out by the Judicial College. These guidelines contain bracket awards for a variety of injuries of different severities.
The compensation amounts in the table below are based on Judicial College Guidelines.
| Injury Suffered | Severity | Estimated Compensation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaw fracture | (i) Very serious | £30,490 to £45,540 | Serious and multiple jaw bone fractures which require prolonged treatment. |
| Jaw fracture | (ii) Serious fracture | £17,960 to £30,490 | Serious jaw bone fractures which could have permanent consequences. |
| Jaw fracture | (iii) Simple fractures | £6,460 to £8,730 | A simple fracture which requires immobilization. |
| Damage to teeth | (i) | £8,730 to £11,410 | The loss of or serious damage to several front teeth. |
| Damage to teeth | (ii) | £4,350 to £7,630 | Loss of serious damage to two front teeth. |
| Damage to teeth | (iii) | £2,200 to £3,950 | The loss of or the serious damage to a front tooth. |
When you make a claim for compensation, your solicitor will use these guidelines in conjunction with a medical report to value your claim. This report will be produced by an independent expert after you attend a medical appointment.
Please note that the table above only contains estimates for how much compensation can be claimed in general damages. The amount of compensation you receive will be based on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries and the amount of time you’ve had to spend recovering.
The table also does not include special damages compensation payouts that you may be eligible to claim. To find out more about how special damages are calculated, please read on. Or for more information, get in touch with our team today; we’re happy to help.
Special Damages Claim Calculator
If you make a successful claim for a broken jaw bone or jaw fracture, your compensation payout will include general damages and special damages compensation. We have already looked at how the general damages head of your claim is calculated.
In contrast to general damages, special damages are paid out to reimburse claimants for the out of pocket expenses incurred as a direct result of their injuries.
Special damages can include things like:
- Care expenses
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Fuel and parking for hospital appointments
- Travel costs if the injured person is unable to drive
It’s really important that you provide proof and evidence for anything you’re claiming under special damages. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep any receipts, bills and invoices for any costs you’ve incurred after your accident.
What Is A Broken Or Fractured Jaw?
A broken jaw is when either of the two main bones in the jaw become broken into two or more pieces.
Broken Jaw Injuries
Broken jaw injuries involve the breaking or fracturing of the mandible or maxilla. These are the two main bones in the jaw.
Sometimes fractured jaw injuries are treated by stabilising the jaw by wiring it. However, some jaw breaks or fractures may require surgery in which metal plates are inserted to hold the bones together as they heal.
It should be noted that people with broken jaw injuries may also have head injuries, neck injuries and other facial injuries that are serious. If you think you have broken or fractured your jaw, you should always seek medical attention right away.
Dislocated Jaw Injuries
A dislocated jaw injury is when a trauma forces the lower jaw out of its usual position at one or both of the joints. Dislocated jaw injuries sometimes require surgery in order to heal. However, this is only required in a small number of cases.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Broken Jaw Compensation?
When making a personal injury claim for a broken jaw, you will generally have three years to start your claim from the date you were injured. This time limit is outlined in the Limitation Act 1980.
There are certain exceptions to this time limit. This includes claims being made for:
- Minors – The time limit is paused for those under the age of 18. During this time, a litigation friend appointed by the court could make a claim for broken jaw compensation on their behalf. Once they turn 18, they will have 3 years to start a claim if one hasn’t already been made.
- Those who lack the mental capacity to begin their own claim. – In this circumstance, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf. However, if they were to regain this mental capacity, they will have three years to start a claim from this date unless one has already been made.
Our advisors are available 24/7 to answer your questions and could inform you whether you have enough time to start your personal injury claim. They can also discuss any other queries you may have, such as, ‘If I have suffered a broken jaw, does the recovery time affect how much compensation I could receive?’
What Could Be The Effects Of A Broken Jaw?
If a person suffers a broken jaw, they may experience the following side effects:
- Tooth loss if they are hit by a traumatic force.
- Bleeding into the airways, which can cause choking or even suffocation.
- Difficulty speaking and eating.
- Work and social life affected as well as mental health.
- Facial disfigurement.
We’re often asked, “how long does it take for a broken jaw to heal?”. Healing time varies depending on whether surgery is needed or any reconstruction surgery. Usually, a fractured jaw would heal from about 6 weeks.
Broken Jaw Bone Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a broken jaw? Broken jaw bone or jaw fracture symptoms can include the following:
- Bleeding, severe pain and swelling.
- Being unable to move the jaw.
- Severe bruising on the jaw.
- Numbness in the jaw area and/or gums.
- Broken or loosened teeth.
- Lumps or disfigurement in the face, particularly the lower part of the face.
- Tenderness and pain when chewing food or speaking.
You may be wondering, “how do you know if your jaw is broken or fractured?”. As previously mentioned, the symptoms of these injuries can be very similar. You should seek medical attention if you suspect a broken or fractured jaw. This is so an X-ray can be performed to indicate what kind of injury you’re suffering from.
What Could Cause A Broken Or Fractured Jaw?
Broken jaws are often caused by a high impact accident. This can include things like road traffic accidents or accidents with machinery; however, they can also be caused by violent assaults or attacks. If you were the victim of a violent crime that resulted in your jaw being fractured or broken, you may be eligible to claim broken jaw criminal compensation through the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA). This is an option if the person responsible for the fractured jaw does not have the means to compensate you.
As we go about our daily lives we are often owed a duty of care by different parties. When we are using the road the Highway Code applies a duty of care in order that we do not cause an accident and that other road users are also mindful of their actions. When at work our employers must abide by the Health And Safety At Work ect Act 1974. This piece of legislation advises employers that they must ensure the workplace is as safe as practically possible. There is further legislation that protects our health and safety while we are out and about in public. This is the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1947. Those who are in control of public spaces must ensure they are safe for the public to use.
A breach of this duty of care owed to us can mean that those responsible for looking after our welling being could be liable. If you are injured through negligence, because a third party did not adhere to legislation you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim.
Broken Jaw Assault Compensation
If you were the victim of a violent assault resulting in a broken jaw, you may be eligible to claim compensation for your injuries. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) pay out compensation to people who have been the victim of violent crime when there is no other avenue for compensation. You must meet certain criteria in order to make a CICA claim.
You can claim broken jaw assault compensation through the CICA even if the person who assaulted you was never caught or brought to justice; however, you do need to have reported the incident to the police.
You have two years from the date of the incident to claim compensation through the CICA. This time limit can be extended if you can show that exceptional circumstances prevented you from making a claim within the time limit.
Advice.co.uk can offer support to those wanting to seek criminal injury compensation. Call our advisors for further information.
Fractured Jaw Road Traffic Accident Compensation
Any road traffic accident (RTA) which involves high-impact trauma to the jaw area can result in a broken or fractured jaw. For instance, if you’re hit from behind by another driver the impact may cause your jaw to collide with the steering wheel or door, resulting in it being fractured or broken. Similarly, if you’re a pedestrian or cyclist who is hit by a car, resulting in an impact to the face, this could result in your jaw being injured.
It doesn’t matter whether you were injured as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist. If your broken jaw injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
Broken Jaw Slip And Fall Compensation
Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen for a number of reasons. For instance, poor housekeeping might result in debris being left out in a public space or workplace. If an employee or member of the public were to trip on a piece of debris, hitting their face on the ground and breaking their jaw, they may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.
Regular risk assessments must be carried out to reduce the risk of injury to those using the space. A risk assessment may reveal that a loose floor tile presents a trip hazard which could cause someone to fall and break their jaw. If regular risk assessments are not carried out, then this hazard could be missed and may continue to pose a risk to people using the space.
It’s not enough for a person with a duty of care to carry out these risk assessments: they also need to act on the results to reduce the risk of accidents. Failure to do so could result in an accident leading to a broken jaw. As a result, this could lead to a compensation claim.
Jaw Fracture Treatment And Diagnosis
Many people ask the question “how are fractured jaws diagnosed?”. A doctor will speak with you about the accident that occurred and the symptoms you’re experiencing. They will then do a fractured jaw bone x-ray to diagnose your injuries and ensure you’re receiving the correct treatment.
Another question we’re often asked is “how to fix a broken jaw bone?”. There are two main methods of treating a broken or fractured jaw.
- The jaw may be wired so that the bones heal correctly.
- Plates and pins may be needed to hold the bones in the correct position.
Jaw Fracture And Break Misdiagnosis
It is vital that those patients who present with a possible fractured jaw are sent for an X-ray. This is so the fractured jaw has less chance of being misdiagnosed. An X-ray should be able to highlight if there is a fracture in the jaw bone. If broken bones are not spotted at the earliest opportunity they can set and the face can suffer deformity. If it is proven that a doctor was negligent in misdiagnosing a fractured jaw bone, if the injury is worsened by this, then a medical negligence claim may be possible.
FAQs On Compensation For A Broken Jaw
We will now answer some frequently asked questions about claiming compensation for a broken jaw. If you have any questions that aren’t addressed below, call Advice.co.uk today for free legal advice about making a broken jaw injury claim.
How much is a broken jaw worth?
Many of our clients ask us “how much compensation do you get for a broken jaw?”. Compensation amounts that are paid out vary, depending on the type and severity of the injuries suffered. However, an advisor may be able to estimate how much your compensation claim is worth.
How serious is a fractured jaw?
A fractured jaw injury can cause the injured person pain, discomfort and difficulty speaking and eating.
Is a broken jaw an emergency?
They do require immediate medical treatment. Because of this, if you have the symptoms of a broken jaw bone you should visit a hospital A&E department straight away.
What happens if you leave a broken jaw untreated?
Leaving a broken jaw bone untreated can increase your risk of arthritis and infections. It may also alter the way the mouth moves and cause some disfigurement to the lower part of the face.
No Win No Fee Compensation For A Broken Jaw
A No Win No Fee agreement, sometimes referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), is a contract between a solicitor and you. It sets out the conditions that must be met in order for them to receive payment.
A CFA means that:
- You won’t pay anything to your solicitor in order for them to start working on your case
- While your claim is ongoing, there’ll be nothing to pay your solicitor
- If you’re not successful in your claim, then you won’t be asked to cover your solicitor’s fees
The only time you’ll be asked to pay your solicitor is if your claim is a success. Then, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This fee is capped, meaning you’ll receive the majority of the compensation awarded to you.
If you’d like to know more about making a No Win No Fee claim, get in touch with us today.
Contact Us
If you have suffered a broken jaw injury because of negligence on the part of someone else, you may be eligible to claim compensation. To begin your claim for compensation for a broken jaw, contact Advice.co.uk using the details below.
- Chat to an advisor using the Live Support option to the bottom right of this screen.
- Use our online contact form to write to us about your case.
- Call us on 0161 696 9685.
More Information
We hope you have found this broken jaw compensation guide helpful. If you wish to learn more about claiming compensation for an injury, these guides may be helpful to you.
£1 Million Compensation Payout For A Spinal Cord Injury
How To Make A Compensation Claim For Foot Injuries?
How To Claim Compensation For A Soft Tissue Injury?
An NHS Guide to recognising a broken bone
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Laws in the workplace: A guide to health and safety legislation
Thank you for reading our guide to claiming compensation for a broken jaw.
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