How Much Compensation for Broken Jaw at Work?

A broken or fractured jaw is a very painful injury that can cause long-term suffering and complications. If you’ve broken your jaw in an accident at work, you might be entitled to claim compensation for any suffering you’ve endured. As such, in this guide, we’ll answer common questions about broken jaw at work claims. As well as explaining how the claims process works, this guide explores the types of evidence you could use to prove your case and how much compensation for a broken jaw at work could be awarded.

If you’ve suffered a broken jaw at work and would like to claim compensation, we can help. When you get in touch, one of our specialists will review your case with you for free. They’ll answer any questions about your eligibility to claim compensation for a broken jaw and set out your options. If the case appears to be feasible, you could be partnered with a solicitor from our team. If they agree to take you on as a client, you’ll be represented on a No Win, No Fee basis.

To talk with us about your broken jaw claim now, you can:

• Phone 0333 241 2519 to speak with a legal advisor.
• Connect to our live chat service at any time of day or night.

Please read on for more on how broken jaw compensation claims work or get in touch if you have any questions.

What Is a Broken Jaw?

Your jaw is formed by a pair of bones. The maxilla bone is the upper jaw (which is fixed in place and the mandible bone is the moveable lower jaw. The jaw plays an important role in many functions including chewing, biting, eating and speaking.

A broken jaw injury is any type of fracture to the mandible or maxilla bones. In some cases, the jaw can be fractured in multiple places at the same time.

Some of the most common symptoms of a broken jaw include:

• Varying levels of pain.
• Facial swelling.
• Bleeding in the mouth (or on the cheeks).
• Facial bruising and numbness.
• A stiff jaw.
• Dental pain and discomfort (caused by gum or tooth damage).
• Pain when eating.
• Breathing problems.
• Facial disfigurement.

If you suspect you’ve sustained a broken jaw at work, you should speak to NHS 111 or attend your nearest A&E for confirmation.

Can I Make a Broken Jaw at Work Claim?

Employers can’t foresee every type of workplace accident that might happen. However, they have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to keep all staff as safe as possible. This is a duty of care established by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Some of the steps employers could implement to try and help prevent broken jaws and other facial injuries include:

• Conducting workplace risk assessments on a regular basis.
• Writing, implementing and enforcing health and safety procedures.
• Training staff on safe working practices.
• Providing staff with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if needed.
• Maintaining all workplace equipment so that it is safe to use.

If you have sustained a broken jaw at work because your employer failed to take such steps, you could sue them for compensation if you’re able to prove:

• Your employer owed you a duty of care (specifically at the time of your accident).
• Employer negligence caused you to be involved in a workplace accident or incident; in which
• Your jaw was broken in the last three years.

If you’d like a legal advisor to assess your entitlement to broken jaw compensation, please contact us now.

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to a Broken Jaw at Work Claim?

Here are a few examples of when work-related broken jaw injuries could lead to an accident at work claim:

• You fell down a flight of stairs after a loose handrail gave way and your jaw was fractured as a result.
• You slipped on an unmarked wet floor in the workplace kitchen or bathroom, fell, and broke your jaw as a result of the impact.
• Poorly installed shelving in a storeroom collapsed and caused you to be crushed by falling objects causing a broken jaw along with other head injuries.
• You sustained a fractured jaw in a car accident at work when the brakes failed because the vehicle had not undergone necessary maintenance.

You might have suffered a broken jaw at work in a different type of accident from those listed here. Don’t worry if that’s the case as we could still help you to claim. Please get in touch for more information.

What Should I Do If I Sustain a Fractured Jaw in the Workplace?

If you believe you have sustained a fractured jaw in the workplace, you should:

• Visit the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department or call an ambulance to ensure your injury is promptly and properly treated.
• Notify your employer about the injury as soon as possible. This is crucial not only for your health and safety record but also for workplace accident documentation.
• Clearly explain how the accident happened, ensuring it is recorded accurately in the company’s accident report book. This will be important for any potential claims and to prevent future incidents.

Following these steps not only helps you adhere to health and safety regulations but also establishes a documented record of the incident, which is essential if you decide to pursue a broken jaw compensation claim for your injury.

What Evidence Can Be Used for Broken Jaw Compensation Claims?

In broken jaw claims, evidence will always be needed to prove a) your version of events, b) that your employer was to blame and c) how your injury has affected you.

The types of evidence that could strengthen a broken jaw at work claim include:

• Photographs of your face to highlight any visible symptoms.
• Medical records including X-rays to confirm your jaw was broken.
• CCTV footage and photographs of the accident scene.
• Details of anyone who witnessed your accident.
• Investigation reports and copies of accident report forms to help confirm what happened.

If you would like us to check whether you’ve got enough evidence to proceed with a claim, please get in touch now. Even if you don’t have everything listed, one of our solicitors may offer to gather further evidence to support your claim.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Broken Jaw Compensation?

The time limit for most broken jaw at work claims is 3 years as stipulated in the Limitation Act 1980. Generally, the claims period starts from the date of your accident.

One exception to this time limit is when the claimant lacks the mental capacity to take legal action. This might be the case, for instance, if the claimant is suffering from Post-Traumtic Stress Disorder at work (PTSD) because of their broken jaw.

In this scenario, the 3-year limitation period would not begin until the claimant’s mental capacity returned. Before then, someone else could act as a litigation friend to help the injured party claim compensation for their suffering.

If you were under 18 when your jaw was broken, the time limit won’t start until your 18th birthday.

If you’d like to know more about time limits for broken jaw claims or how to help someone else claim compensation, please call our legal advisors now.

How Much Compensation for a Broken Jaw at Work?

Compensation levels in broken jaw injury claims vary from case to case. If a claim is successful, the settlement will normally be formed of general and special damages.

The pain, suffering, discomfort and loss of amenity caused by a broken jaw is covered by the general damages element of any payout you’re awarded. Therefore, your solicitor will work hard to get a good understanding of how your injuries have affected you. Crucially, general damages are used to cover both physical and psychological suffering that can be linked to a broken jaw.

Once they have done so, they can use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to put a value on your claim. The JCG lists several jaw injuries along with compensation brackets. As such, we’ve used its data in our broken jaw compensation list for guidance. Please note that the settlement ranges listed are not guaranteed.

• A simple broken jaw at work where there is a complete recovery may be worth £6,460 – £8,730 compensation.
• Where the fracture is more serious and causes permanent difficulties, compensation can range from £17,960 – £30,490.
• A broken jaw involving multiple fractures requiring lengthy treatment and causing permanent problems and severe pain might pay out £30,490 – £45,540.

You could also receive special damages for any costs incurred as a result of your broken jaw. This part of your claim could cover:

• Lost income.
• Medical treatment costs and prescription fees.
• Travel expenses (e.g. fuel and parking fees for hospital appointments).
• Care or support costs.
• Future loss of earnings if your broken jaw reduces your capacity to earn in the long term.

If you’d like to check how much compensation for a broken jaw at work you could be entitled to, please use the number above to call us now.

Do You Need a Solicitor to Make a Broken Jaw Claim?

Suing an employer for negligence can be difficult and daunting and could involve lots of complex legal or medical evidence. Therefore, you might decide to let a solicitor who specialises in accident-at-work claims manage your case for you.

Not only should that make the process easier, but it could mean you are paid a much higher settlement than you might have otherwise expected.

If one of our solicitors agrees to help you claim for a broken jaw at work, they will:

• Manage the broken jaw claims process from beginning to end.
• Build as strong a case as possible.
• Handle all communications with your employer and their insurance provider.
• Fight your corner in any negotiations.
• Ensure that you receive regular updates as your claim progresses.

Crucially, if you sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you won’t have to pay for any of your solicitor’s work unless you are compensated.

The CFA will explain that should your case be won, a success fee of up to 25 per cent of your settlement will be deducted as a success fee. Legally, the success fee percentage is capped for your protection.

To find out if you could make a No Win, No Fee broken jaw claim, please contact a legal advisor now.

Will I Be Fired for Suing My Employer?

Many people worry that they’ll face the sack or other negative consequences for suing their employer following an accident at work. However, so long as your claim isn’t dishonest, it would be illegal for your employer to treat you differently because of your legal action.

For instance, if you were picked on, bullied, demoted, fired or singled out after claiming compensation for a broken jaw at work, you may have separate grounds to seek damages for unfair or constructive dismissal.

If you’d like us to review your options, we’ll deal with your call confidentially until you decide what course of action you’d like to take.

How Long Does a Workplace Injury Claim Take?

There is no set duration for a broken jaw compensation claim as, in reality, each case is unique.

For instance, in straightforward cases, compensation could be awarded in 4 to 6 months. This might be possible if the jaw fracture was minor, has healed in full and the employer admits responsibility for the accident quickly.

Conversely, if you’ve sustained a complex jaw fracture that requires ongoing surgery or dental treatment, your claim might take more than a year in some cases. In these situations, you might be entitled to interim compensation payments before the claim is finalised so long as your employer has accepted liability for your broken jaw at work.

Contacting Us About a Broken Jaw at Work Compensation Claim

Have you suffered a broken jaw at work? Do you believe your employer is responsible for your suffering? Would you like to be compensated for your suffering? If you’ve answered yes to all three questions, why not contact us to check your options? You can do so by:

• Contacting a legal advisor on 0333 241 2519.
• Asking questions via our live chat service.

We’ll review your case on a no-obligation basis and, regardless of how you decide to proceed, you’ll receive free legal advice about your options. If one of our work injury solicitors believes you should be compensated for a broken jaw at work, they could offer to represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis.