Lacerations, Scarring And Stitches – How Much Compensation?

To examine the question, “How much compensation do you get per stitch?”, you need to understand how compensation for personal injuries is determined. There is no such thing as claiming “per stitch” as the injury itself needs to be considered. Stitches may be necessary for simple injuries such as a small laceration to the hand, or for serious damage to the spine, where extensive surgery is needed. The injury is what is important, not the number of stitches required.

Key Takeaways

• Stitches, or “sutures,” are threads used to hold two edges of a wound together to promote healing and avoid major scarring.
• Often, these are used for laceration wounds and other skin breaks where the wound needs to be properly closed.
• While there is no method for calculating compensation “per stitch” as such, more serious wounds requiring a higher number of stitches will be valued more highly.
• Our panel of experts can take on eligible claims on a strictly No Win No Fee basis, giving you extra peace of mind. 
• You can find out more about claiming compensation for injuries that require stitches by talking to our advisors today.

The advisory team at How Much Compensation can answer any questions you might have as well as provide a free assessment of your eligibility to claim. If eligible, you’ll be put through to a dedicated personal injury solicitor from our trusted panel. The solicitors we work with have years of experience in handling claims of all varieties and winning big for their clients. Whether you need specialist medical care or help with gathering evidence, a solicitor will be there every step of the way to make sure your claim has the best possible chance of succeeding.

HMC operates 24/7 advice, so whenever it’s convenient, get in touch for free advice and a zero-obligation eligibility assessment. You can reach by:

• Calling 0800 408 7826.
• Clicking the live chat button at the bottom of the screen.
• Or, you can contact us online here. 

 

Select A Section

1. How Much Compensation Do You Get Per Stitch In The UK?
2. What Is Considered When Determining A Compensation Amount?
3. Can Special Damages Be Claimed For Injuries That Need Stitches?
4. Can I Claim For Compensation After Needing Stitches For My Injury?
5. What Injuries Are Most Likely Going To Need Stitches?
6. Examples Of Accidents That Might Lead To Stitches Being Needed
7. Can I Claim For Stitches Due To Medical Negligence?
8. Compensation For Stitches After A Criminal Injury
9. How Can I Claim Compensation For Needing Stitches?
10. No Win No Fee Compensation Per Stitch
11. More Information

How Much Compensation Do You Get Per Stitch In The UK?

As we stated at the top of the page, “How much compensation do you get per stitch in the UK?” is not the right question to ask, as it depends on the injury itself. That being said, smaller wounds that only need steri-strips or “butterfly stitches” will be valued at lower degrees than major lacerations or organ damage that require multiple stitches.

Compensation in personal injury claims is determined under two separate heads of loss:

• General damages for the physical injuries as well as the psychological distress.
• Special damages cover financial harm. More on this later. 

Solicitors can refer to relevant medical documents alongside the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to assist them in determining a potential payout figure. The JCG document outlines guideline payout brackets for various types of injuries, some of which we’ve used in our table here.

Compensation Table

Please note that the information given in this table is intended to act as guidance only. Also note that the figure in the top row was not taken from the JCG.  

Injury + Severity	Guideline Payout Figure	Notes
Multiple Very Serious Injuries with Special Damages	Up to £250,000 or more	The injured person has sustained multiple very serious injuries and incurred major financial losses including a loss of pay and medical expenses and requires substantial care.
Facial Disfigurement - Very Severe	£36,340 to £118,790	In young persons where there is a very disfiguring effect and severe psychological impact.
Facial Disfigurement - Less Severe	£21,920 to £59,090	Substantial cosmetic effect and a significant psychological reaction.
Facial Disfigurement - Significant	£11,120 to £36,720	Cases where the worst effects have been reduced through surgery, resulting in the psychological reaction being diminished.
Severe Leg Injuries - Severe (iii) Serious	£47,840 to £66,920	Serious compound or comminuted fractures, or soft tissue injuries leading to instability, extensive scarring and a long period of non-weight-bearing.
Severe Leg Injuries - Severe (iv) Moderate	£33,880 to £47,840	Complex or multiple fractures, and crush injuries to a single limb.
Digestive System: Traumatic Injury - Severe Damage (i)	£52,490 to £75,550	Severe damage with continuing pain and discomfort.
Digestive System: Traumatic Injury - Penetrating Wounds (iii)	£8,060 to £15,370	Penetrating stab wounds or industrial lacerations.
Scarring To Other Parts of The Body - 1 Disfiguring Scar/Multiple Noticetable Lacerations	£9,560 to £27,740	A single disfiguring scar or multiple smaller lacerations to the limbs, back or chest.
Scarring To Other Parts of The Body - No Significant Internal Injury	In the region of £10,550	Where there has been an exploratory laparotomy performed but no significant internal injury found.

As always, if you have questions or would like to know more about claiming for your specific injuries, talk to a member of our advisory team today. 

What Is Considered When Determining A Compensation Amount?

The severity of the injuries, where they are located on the body, and what impacts they have on your daily life are all considered when determining a compensation amount. Below we have listed a few factors that can affect a general damages payout:

• The seriousness of the injuries.
• Where on the body the injury has been sustained. Permanent scar injuries to prominent areas such as the face are often compensated at higher levels than scars that can be hidden more easily.
• Any loss of amenity. This refers to a loss in your quality of life, which can include things such as your ability to participate in hobbies, sports, leisure activities, and social events. 
• The psychological impact of the wound and stitching. Significant scarring can have a profound effect on the injured person’s mental health.

Speak to the How Much Compensation advisory team today for your free eligibility assessment and answers to any questions about how your claim will be valued. 

Can Special Damages Be Claimed For Injuries That Need Stitches?

Yes special damages very much can be claimed for injuries that require stitches. As we said above, this head of loss accounts for the financial damage that results from your injuries. Special damages can be paid out for both past and future losses so it is very common to see such payouts be a lot higher than the associated general damages.

Examples of costs you could be compensated for include:

• A loss of earnings from any time taken off work. You can also claim for a loss of future earnings if you are unable to work for an extended period. 
• Medical expenses including plastic surgery, private hospital admission, and talking therapy or counselling sessions.
• Costs towards specialist oils and creams to reduce the appearance of scars and specialist makeup to conceal them.
• Home modifications in cases where mobility has been affected. This could include ramp access, an accessible shower and additional handrails.
• Travel expenses to and from hospital or clinic appointments, as well as your place of work.

Make sure you have the necessary evidence for all special damages you are claiming. Documents such as your payslips, prescription letters, purchase receipts and bills for medical care can all be used. 

While we have tried to be as thorough as possible, the potential value of your claim will depend on the nature of your injuries and their impacts on your daily life. To ask our advisors how personal injury compensation is calculated, as well as learn more about claiming in your specific circumstances, get in touch today.

Can I Claim For Compensation After Needing Stitches For My Injury?

You can claim compensation after needing stitches for your injury if it can be shown that a third party owed you a duty of care, and their breach of this caused you to become injured. A duty of care is a legal responsibility for the safety of others, and we’ll examine some specific examples further down the guide.

The general eligibility requirements however, are as follows:

1. You were owed a duty of care by a third party.
2. This duty was breached in some way, causing an accident.
3. That accident led to you being injured and requiring stitches. 

Some scenario specific examples have been given further down the page.  To get your free eligibility check, or to ask any further questions, contact our advisory team today. 

What Injuries Are Most Likely Going To Need Stitches?

Injuries where the skin is broken are most likely to need stitches. Closing the wound properly aids the healing process by helping prevent infection and ensuring your skin heals neatly to prevent scarring.

Here are a few different injuries that will likely require some form of stitching:

• Cuts and lacerations.
• Injuries to the head, face and eyes.
• Damages to nerves, muscles and other soft tissues.
• Any injury where a skin graft is required, such as due to burns.
• Animal bite and claw wounds.
• Blunt force wounds.
• Surgical incisions.
• Amputations.

Following any injury, it is important to seek proper medical help. Once the immediate risk to your safety is passed, you can contact our advisory team to learn more about making a claim. 

Examples Of Accidents That Might Lead To Stitches Being Needed

Accidents in the workplace, in public areas and on the roads are all examples of where an injury requiring stitches could be caused. Each of these scenarios has been examined below, with relevant legislation addressed. As ever, if you have questions about your specific accident, contact our team today. 

Accidents At Work

Employers are required by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their workforce. An example of how failing to do this could lead to an employee requiring stitches could be:

You had not been given the right training to use an industrial saw but had been instructed to operate the machine regardless. Consequently, you did not put the safety guard down. The piece of wood you were cutting got sucked into the machine, and the saw blade badly lacerated your arm, requiring multiple stitches. 

Accidents In A Public Place

Parties in control of public places, known as “occupiers,” are required to take steps that ensure the reasonable safety of all visitors to their premises, as set down by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

If such steps are not taken, an accident such as the following could occur:

While attending a museum with your family, you leaned on a safety barrier to get a better look at an exhibit. The barrier collapsed and you fell forward, sustaining a large cut to your forehead. It became apparent that the museum managers had not carried out the latest round of safety inspections, and the fault with the barrier had been missed. 

Road Traffic Accidents

The duty of care on the roads works a little differently. Rather than a single person or organisation owing a duty of care, every person using the roads owes the duty to each other. All road users, from pedestrians to HGV users must do everything that is within their power to avoid causing harm. This means abiding by the rules and laws of the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act 1988. 

Here’s a possible scenario where a road traffic accident could lead to someone requiring stitches:

A drunk driver caused a serious multi-car collision when trying to speed through a busy junction. Your vehicle was hit and your face collided with the steering wheel, causing cuts to your cheeks, brow and chin.

Of course, other accidents may occur that result in injuries that need stitches. To learn more about claiming in your specific circumstances, speak to our advisory team today. 

Can I Claim For Stitches Due To Medical Negligence?

You could potentially claim it if you end up requiring stitches due to medical negligence. The key thing to prove in medical negligence claims is that the medical professional failed to provide the correct standard of care, which caused you to experience avoidable harm. Meaning if the stitches were avoidable, compensation could potentially be sought.

An obvious example would be wrong site surgery. Errors in your patient notes can mean a surgeon begins an operation on the wrong leg. The incision was closed with stitches but the correct operation still needed to be performed. This led to more time under anaesthetic, more incisions and a longer recovery period. 

Compensation For Stitches After A Criminal Injury

Compensation for stitches after a criminal injury may also be sought. Persons injured in violent crimes can make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government-sponsored agency that administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, offering an avenue of claim to those injured in crimes of violence.

In order to claim through the CICA, you would need to demonstrate that you had been injured in a violent crime, that the crime occurred in Great Britain or another relevant place, and that a police report had been made. 

How Much Compensation Do You Get Per Stitch From The CICA?

The 2012 Scheme sets out a tariff used to value criminal injury claims. It is important to note that this is a fixed tariff, meaning the amount listed is what will be paid out. We have used the tariff figures in this table.

Injury + Severity	Tariff Amount	Notes
Multiple Very Serious Injuries + Lost Earnings and Special Expenses	Up to £500,000	Where multiple very serious injuries have been sustained leading to a loss of earnings and costs such as damage to personal aid equipment, admin costs and medical bills. This is the absolute maximum that the CICA will payout for a single claim.
Torso - Chest - Removal or Repair of One or More Organs	£16,500	Injuries requiring the surgical repair of or removal of 1 or more organs
Torso - Chest - Injury Requiring Thoracotomy	£6,200	Where a thoracotomy is performed.
Head & Neck - Serious Disfigurement to the Face	£11,000	Facial scarring resulting in serious disfigurement.
Head & Neck - Significant Disfigurement to the Face	£2,400	Facial scarring resulting in significant disfigurement.
Upper Limbs - Severe Soft Tissue Damage - Both Arms	£11,000	Significant continuing disability in both arms
Upper Limbs - Severe Soft Tissue Damage - One Arm	£1,500	Substantial recovery from soft tissue damage in one arm.
Lower Limbs - Scarring - Serious	£3,500	Serious disfigurement to the lower limbs.
Lower Limbs - Scarring - Significant	£1,000	Significant disfigurement to the lower limbs.
Lower Limbs - Knee - One Fractured Knee	£1,000	A substantial recovery from a single fractured knee.

For more information on the question,  “How much compensation do you get in the UK for criminal injuries?” get in touch with our advisors today. 

How Can I Claim Compensation For Needing Stitches?

You can claim compensation for needing stitches by proving that the accident was someone else’s fault and making sure your claim is started within the relevant time limit. You can prove that negligence occurred by providing evidence of how the accident was caused by someone else, and what injuries you sustained. CCTV footage, medical records, and photographs of the injuries can all help. 

You must also make sure that any claim is brought within the correct limitation period or time limit. In the majority of cases, this will be 3 years from the date of the accident, as set down in the Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptions to this may apply so for more information claiming for stitches, speak to our advisors today. 

No Win No Fee Compensation Per Stitch

Claiming No Win No Fee compensation per stitch, while not quite how it works, is nevertheless the way to go. A No Win No Fee agreement will protect you from having to pay solicitor fees at the beginning or during the claims process. There is also no such fee if the claim is lost.

At How Much Compensation, we work with a highly experienced panel of expert solicitors who can provide you with a tailored and highly personal service. The “one size fits all” policy doesn’t work for us, so here’s just some of the things our panel of legal professionals could do for you, or assist you with:

• Making sure all relevant medical treatment is received and connecting you with the right specialists for rehabilitation, therapy and other medical needs.
• Helping you collect supporting evidence.
• Determining an accurate compensation figure, including any lost income and other expenses. 
• Explaining how your claim is progressing and making sure you understand all the technical language. You can also see our legal glossary for a handy jargon buster. 
• Negotiating a final settlement on your behalf with the defendant’s solicitors.
• Finding the right barrister to represent your case if the matter goes to trial. We should point out that most claims do not require a court hearing but if your claim does, our panel of solicitors will be with you every step of the way.

Our panel works on a strict No Win No Fee basis by offering eligible claimants a type of contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). The solicitor may charge a success fee of up to 25% of the compensation if they win the claim. This maximum is legally binding as per The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 so most of any paid out compensation will go to you. 

Contact How Much Compensation

We fully appreciate there’s a lot of information here and you likely have questions. For answers to any queries, or to find out if you could make a claim for your particular injuries, speak to our advisors today using the contact details given here: 

• Calling 0800 408 7826.
• Clicking the live chat button at the bottom of the screen.
• Or, you can contact us online here. 

More Information

We offer guidance on a variety of personal injury claims:

• Find out how much compensation you could receive for domestic abuse here.
• See our guide for claiming compensation for a fall and learn when you could be eligible. 
• Learn how much compensation you could receive for a foot injury today.
• Read about compensation for a laceration injury  

Additional information can be found on these external pages:

• View the NHS guidance on cuts and grazes on their website. 
• Read further about fall prevention from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). 
• View the latest CICA statistics on the government website. 

Thank you for reading our guide to the question, “How much compensation do you get per stitch in the UK?” You can get answers to any questions, as well as find out if you are eligible to make a claim by speaking to our advisors today.