Most severe back injury
£111,150 to £196,450Spinal-cord and nerve-root damage causes severe pain with a combination of paralysis and major bladder, bowel or sexual impairment.
Start your claim ↗Back injury compensation guide
Back injury compensation: what claims are worth
Back awards consider spinal or nerve damage, pain, mobility, surgery, daily function, work and whether symptoms are permanent or resolve over time.
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you were injured.
The figures shown are the 17th edition brackets for general damages. They do not include lost earnings, care, treatment or other financial losses.
Compensation for back injuries
Back awards consider spinal or nerve damage, pain, mobility, surgery, daily function, work and whether symptoms are permanent or resolve over time.
Severe back injury
£90,510 to £107,910Nerve-root damage is accompanied by serious sensory, mobility or organ-function consequences.
Severe disc, vertebral or soft-tissue injury
£47,320 to £85,100A chronic condition remains despite treatment, often including surgery.
Moderate back injury
£15,260 to £47,320Includes compression fractures, prolapsed discs and ligament or muscle injury with continuing or recurrent symptoms.
Minor back injury - recovery in two to five years
£9,630 to £15,260A full recovery or reduction to nuisance symptoms occurs without surgery within about two to five years.
Minor back injury - recovery in one to two years
£5,310 to £9,630A full recovery takes place without surgery within roughly one to two years.
Minor back injury - recovery in three to twelve months
£2,990 to £5,310A full recovery takes place without surgery between about three months and one year.
Minor back injury - recovery within three months
Up to £2,990For short-lived symptoms with a complete recovery within three months.
This is guidance, not a quote. The bracket is only one part of a valuation. Medical evidence, recovery, financial losses, liability and the effect on your life must all be considered.
Understanding the range
What can affect back injury compensation?
Non-tariff examples run from up to £2,990 for recovery within three months to £111,150-£196,450 for the most severe back injury. The diagnosis is only the starting point: the evidence must show the recovery period and the effect the injury has had on the individual.
Severity, treatment and recovery
Back awards consider spinal or nerve damage, pain, mobility, surgery, daily function, work and whether symptoms are permanent or resolve over time.
Daily life and independence
Pain, movement, sleep, work, hobbies, care needs and loss of independence can all influence where an injury falls within a guideline range.
Medical and financial evidence
Independent medical evidence helps establish prognosis. Payslips, receipts, care records and expert evidence may support financial losses assessed separately from the injury award.
A figure needs context
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The guideline figures on this page are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines, 17th edition, and concern general damages only. They are broad guidance, may require updating and cannot replace legal advice based on medical and financial evidence. Different rules can apply to statutory whiplash claims.