Last updated 24th March 2026. If you have severe PTSD with permanent effects that prevent you from functioning at pre-trauma levels, the amount of compensation you might be awarded can range from £73,050 to £122,850. These figures are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a document commonly used by legal professionals to value PTSD compensation. Final awards are tailored to individual circumstances, reflecting the condition’s impact on daily life and any financial losses, such as lost earnings or the cost of accessing mental health services.
At Public Interest Lawyers, we understand that PTSD can shake the very foundation of your life. You may be struggling with a disrupted routine and reduced employment prospects, leaving you uncertain about your finances and your future. We recognise that deep-seated trauma often affects your overall wellbeing in profound ways. That is why we are committed to supporting you through every stage of the PTSD compensation claims process.
Our solicitors have won over £100 million for claimants throughout the nation. This track record of success is reflected in the dedication we apply to every case, and we are ready to help you next. At this challenging time, we are here to provide you with the expert legal representation you deserve to secure a settlement that can fund your long-term care and rehabilitation needs.
Get in touch with our advisors today for a free consultation, where we will listen to your story, assess the facts with sensitivity, and advise you on the next best steps.
Select A Section
- What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
- Am I Eligible To Make A PTSD Compensation Claim?
- How PTSD Claims Are Calculated
- Case Studies – Examples Of Compensation Amounts
- How To Claim Compensation For PTSD
- How Our Expert PTSD Compensation Solicitors Can Help You Claim
- Claiming PTSD Compensation On a No Win No Fee Basis
- More Information
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refers to a condition which impacts a person’s mental health. It can be the result of events that were frightening, stressful, or distressing. Keep reading for more details on what could cause PTSD.
Common Causes
Many different events could cause PTSD. Examples include:
- Severe health conditions
- Serious road traffic accidents
- Childbirth experiences (especially if medical negligence has occurred)
- Violent assaults, including robbery, mugging or sexual assault
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a form of PTSD that often forms due to repeated traumatic experiences, particularly during childhood. For example, it may be a result of childhood abuse.
If you have any questions about compensation claims for PTSD or complex PTSD, our advisors are on hand to help. They have experience in handling similar claims and can advise you on the next steps.
Am I Eligible To Make A PTSD Compensation Claim?
In order to be eligible for a psychological injury claim, you must be able to show that:
- A person or organisation owed a duty of care to you
- They breached their duty
- This caused you to suffer PTSD or exacerbated your condition
A duty of care refers to the responsibility of a person or organisation to act according to the laws in place to protect people from harm. For example, your employer owes a duty to you as an employee. They must take the necessary steps to make sure that you are reasonably safe in the workplace, according to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA).
You are also owed a duty of care by occupiers of public spaces, such as the local council or shops. While you are in these spaces, the occupier (individual or organisation responsible for that space) must take reasonable steps to ensure your safety as set out in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
Car accidents can also cause PTSD. While on the roads, each user must navigate in such a way that they do not compromise the safety of themselves or others. As such, to comply with this duty, everyone on the roads should adhere to any relevant rules and regulations in the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
If you are not sure of your eligibility, we encourage you to contact our team of advisors. They offer free case assessments and can potentially connect you with a No Win No Fee solicitor. Get in touch today to find out if they could bring you one step closer towards gaining compensation for a PTSD claim.
How PTSD Claims Are Calculated
PTSD compensation can cover a variety of factors. Personal injury claims may include compensation for general damages and special damages.
General damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you have endured due to the incident. Legal professionals may use the Judicial College Guidelines when assessing general damages. This is a legal document that outlines compensation guidelines based on different types and severities of injury.
We’ve provided a few figures from this document in the table below, as well as a figure in the top row (not from the Judicial College Guidelines) that illustrates how you could be awarded compensation for multiple injuries and related out-of-pocket expenses.
It is important to note that these are only guidelines rather than a guarantee of the compensation you could receive.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries with the associated financial costs | Severe | Up to £250,000 or over |
| Psychiatric Damage Generally | Severe | £66,920 to £141,240 |
| Moderately severe | £23,270 to £66,920 | |
| Moderate | £7,150 to £23,270 | |
| Less severe | £1,880 to £7,150 | |
| PTSD | Severe | £73,050 to £122,850 |
| Moderately severe | £28,250 to £73,050 | |
| Moderate | £9,980 to £28,250 | |
| Less severe | £4,820 to £9,980 |
Special Damages
Additionally, you may be eligible to claim special damages as part of your PTSD compensation. These compensate you for the financial losses resulting from your PTSD injury. Examples of what you could receive compensation for include:
- Lost earnings or income due to time taken off work for recovery
- The cost of travelling to and from medical appointments
- Payments for medical treatment, such as therapy
- Domestic support, such as with childcare or cleaning, while you recover
If you have any questions about what your compensation could cover, do not hesitate to contact our advisors. They can explain in further detail and determine whether you could be eligible to start a claim. This case assessment is offered free of charge, and you are not required to work with one of our solicitors afterwards.
Case Studies – Examples Of Compensation Amounts
Below are some case studies to assist with your understanding of making a PTSD claim. They examine varied circumstances that could give rise to physical and psychological injuries. Please note that these are illustrative case studies*.
£11,200 Compensation For PTSD Caused By Assault
Mr Wilmslow was a victim of a physical assault and attempted robbery on the street. He sustained physical injuries as the attacker hit him on the head several times after he told them he did not have money on his person.
He fully recovered from his head injury after two months. However, the psychological injuries that he suffered continued to impact his daily life. He worked as a teacher but had to take several weeks off to recover from the physical and psychological injuries.
Mr Wilmslow decided to start a criminal injury claim. He received a PTSD compensation award of £11,200. This included compensation for the pain and suffering caused by multiple injuries. These include minor head injuries and PTSD. Additionally, the compensation accounted for lost income due to time taken off work to recover and the cost of therapy.
£45,000 Compensation For Needlestick PTSD
Miss Banfield worked as a nurse in a hospital. While emptying a rubbish bin, a needle fell out and pierced the skin on her leg. This needle should have been disposed of in a specific bin, but it was placed in a general rubbish bin.
She did not sustain any physical injuries, and a doctor checked her straight away. However, she had to wait 24 hours for the result of a blood test to find out if she had contracted an infection.
Fortunately, the results confirmed that the needle injury had not infected her. However, when she attended work over the next week, she felt very uneasy. She suffered from extreme anxiety when working with needles and could not collect blood test results for her patients. She began to experience further symptoms of PTSD, including panic attacks and nightmares. She could no longer leave her home due to her psychological distress.
She took time off work and sought therapy to help recover from the mental injury. This had a severe financial impact on her. With the help of a No Win No Fee solicitor, Miss Banfield received £45,000 in PTSD compensation. This accounted for the pain and suffering she experienced due to the psychological injury, as well as the costs relating to therapy and lost income.
£56,000 Compensation For Less Severe Facial Scarring
Mrs Staple experienced a road traffic accident due to the negligent actions of another road user. A driver failed to stop at a red light, causing them to crash into Mrs Staple’s car. Her windscreen smashed, and small pieces of glass damaged the skin on her face. Her wounds healed, but she was left with less severe facial scarring,
Additionally, when she tried to drive to work over the next few months, she faced acute anxiety and fear. Whenever she got behind the wheel, she had vivid flashbacks to the incident and felt sure that she would experience another accident on the road. She struggled to sleep at night due to her worries.
Mrs Staple received £56,000 worth of compensation. This covered the pain and suffering relating to her facial scarring and PTSD. It also included special damages for lost income due to time taken off work to recover.
You can contact an advisor from our team if you have any questions about these case studies. They can discuss the details of your claim and explain whether you could be eligible to claim compensation.
How To Claim Compensation For PTSD
In order to start a claim for PTSD compensation, you will need to provide evidence and adhere to legal time limits. You may also wish to know how one of our specialised solicitors could benefit your case. Keep reading to find out more information about the process of making a claim.
The Evidence You’ll Need To Support Your Claim
You will need evidence in order to prove your injury and the actions of the person who caused it. This could include:
- Photos, CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident
- The contact information of people who witnessed the incident (they could later be called upon to give a statement in support of your claim)
- A copy of your medical records or a letter from a psychologist
- A diary of your psychological symptoms and how they developed over time
- Bank statements or pay slips (if you had to take time off work due to injury)
- Receipts to show expenses you would like to recover under special damages (see our previous section)
- Accident reports- this could apply if you suffered an injury in the workplace
- Insurance and contact information from the other driver – this applies if you suffered your injury in a road traffic accident
If eligible, one of our expert PTSD solicitors could help you gather evidence to strengthen your compensation claim. You can contact our advisors to find out whether you can access this service.
Time Limits And How Long Your Claim Can Take
You will typically have a three-year time limit from the date of injury to start a PTSD claim. This is established by the Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptions may apply if a case involves:
- A person who does not have the mental capacity to make the decisions required of a claim
- A person who is under the age of eighteen
In such cases, a person may be eligible to claim on their behalf. If you would like further information about the evidence you will need for your claim or how the legal limit applies to your compensation claim, please get in touch with our team. They have experience in handling similar claims and can advise you on the next steps if you are eligible to proceed.
How Our Expert PTSD Compensation Solicitors Can Help You Claim
Our expert PTSD compensation solicitors offer a comprehensive service, providing clients with the support they need throughout the entire legal process. We place client care at the centre of our work, taking the time to understand how PTSD has affect your daily life and fostering a non-judgemental space where you can share the impact of your trauma with confidence.
At Public Interest Lawyers, your needs are our priority. This means our commitment to your wellbeing is absolute and extends beyond practical, expert legal support. We will connect you with psychiatrists, cognitive behavioural therapists, and occupational therapists specialising in PTSD, who can fully assess your condition and advise on appropriate care options.
By working with one of our specialist PTSD solicitors at Public Interest Lawyers, you receive both compassionate and skilled representation. Our solicitors use their experience to gather the necessary evidence to build an unshakeable foundation for your PTSD compensation claim by obtaining:
- Records confirming a PTSD diagnosis, including independent psychiatric reports.
- Documentation related to the traumatic event, such as copies of relevant CCTV footage.
- Concrete evidence outlining the impact on your day-to-day routine, employment prospects, and social life.
Get in touch with our advisory team today for a free, no-obligation conversation to take the first step toward securing the PTSD compensation you deserve. Our solicitors here at Public Interest Lawyers are not only focused on winning your claim but also on ensuring that any compensation payouts for PTSD provide the financial redress to support your future needs.
Claiming PTSD Compensation On a No Win No Fee Basis
At Public Interest Lawyers, we recognise that starting a PTSD compensation claim can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure about how to fund expert legal representation. That is why our solicitors offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
We believe that everyone should have access to justice. By working under a CFA, our solicitors ensure clients have confidence that:
- There will be no upfront service fees.
- No service fees will be charged at any other stage of the PTSD claims process.
- There will be no service fees to pay if compensation is not awarded.
Instead, if your claim is successful, a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation will be deducted. This is our solicitor’s success fee, which is kept low due to a legal cap on the percentage.
Our solicitors provide clear, upfront guidance, ensuring you have clarity and peace of mind as you navigate the legal process. We focus on providing a seamless service that eases the strain on your shoulders, allowing you to prioritise your health whilst we handle the legal intricacies on your behalf.
Contact Us
We understand that deciding whether to proceed with a compensation claim can feel like a difficult decision. Why not get in touch with an advisor from our team for some free advice? They can assess your eligibility, estimate what your compensation could cover and potentially connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors:
- Call us on 0800 073 8803
- Submit an online contact form
- Use the live chat feature on this page
More Information
You can read our other guides below:
- Learn how to start a claim for depression
- Find out about claiming for a catastrophic injury
- Read about claiming for paralysis
External resources:
- Review the NHS guidance on PTSD
- Read advice from Mind on PTSD
- Learn how to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Thank you for reading our guide on how to claim PTSD compensation, including our *example case studies.