I tripped on a broken kerb stone and broke my jaw when I fell into a garden wall. How much compensation will I be able to claim for my injury?
How much compensation you are entitled to claim for having tripped on a broken kerb stone depends on many factors and the calculation of compensation amounts is not always straightforward. In order to determine the value of your claim for a trip on a broken kerb stone, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case.
After eligibility to make a claim for a trip on a broken kerb stone has been established, a lawyer will need to determine the severity of the injury to your jaw. It is likely that a medical examination will be need to be arranged to determine the extent of the injury, the time it will take for your injuries to heal and whether you are expected to make a full recovery. A lawyer will make the necessary arrangements for you to be examined by an expert in jaw injuries.
Claims for jaw injury compensation typically involve claims amounts of between £4,000 and £40,000 for general damages. General damages are calculated for pain, suffering and any loss of amenity caused by the injury. Loss of amenity means a temporary or permanent loss of jaw function, loss of enjoyment and any deterioration in quality of life.
A simple hairline fracture to the jaw is unlikely to cause any lasting damage or lead to health complications. It may be painful, but is unlikely to result in considerable loss of amenity. Damages for simple jaw fractures would therefore be at the lower end of the above range.
Multiple fractures and full breaks take much longer to heal, involve considerably more pain and may even result in permanent disfigurement. When there are likely to be ongoing symptoms such as reduced jaw movement and an increased risk of suffering health problems in later life, claims for jaw injury compensation would be made at the upper end of the compensation scale.
Compensation for tripping on a broken kerb can also be recovered for costs which have been incurred as a result of the accident and injury, in addition to future expenses which are likely to be incurred. These are claimed separately as special damages. Awards for special damages can be considerable, especially when the costs of maxillofacial surgery need to be recovered or plastic surgery is required to reduce the visibility of facial scarring from an accident.
Due to the complex nature of calculating compensation for tripping on a broken kerb, if you want to know how much you are entitled to claim you should speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case. This will ensure that your full entitlement to compensation for having tripped on a broken kerb stone can be claimed.