Jaw Injury Claims

Damage to the jaw is undoubtedly one of the most unpleasant injuries you might experience and could have severe, long-lasting consequences. Aside from causing physical pain and suffering, it could significantly impact essential daily activities like eating, drinking and speaking.

There are many situations in which somebody’s negligence can cause you a jaw injury. A work accident, dental malpractice, assault, or vehicle collision are just some examples. If another party is liable for your trauma, you might be able to claim compensation from them.

A jaw injury claim is a significant step towards surpassing your difficult situation. Besides covering the medical expenses and financial losses you might have incurred, it might be gratifying to bring the responsible party to justice.

To find out if you can make a claim, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with a legal adviser. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form to request a call back. An experienced solicitor will listen to your story and help gather all the proof you need to build a strong case.

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Table of Contents

• Can I make a jaw injury claim?
• How to make a jaw injury claim?
• What are the different types of jaw injury?
• What are the common causes of a broken jaw and other jaw injuries?
• How much compensation can I claim for a jaw injury?
• How long do I have to claim for a jaw injury?

Can I make a jaw injury claim?

If you suffered a jaw injury without being at fault, you are most likely eligible to claim compensation. The most important questions when deciding to make a claim are:

• Did the defendant owe you a duty of care?
• Did they break that duty by acting negligently?
• Were you hurt as a result of their negligence?
• Did you suffer the injury in the last three years?

In certain circumstances, you might still be able to claim even if you didn’t answer yes to all of the questions. The best thing to do is contact a solicitor. They will analyse your case and help you sort out the jaw injury claim details.

Usually, you will be eligible to make your claim on a no win no fee* basis. This means there are no upfront expenses you need to worry about. If you win the case, your solicitor will take a success fee that you previously agreed on (capped at a maximum of 25%). But if your claim fails, you won’t have to pay any charges.

Even if you are unsure who you could claim against, your solicitor can work on your behalf and identify the responsible party. This could be an employer, a road user, the local authorities, or another individual or company.

Having strong evidence to demonstrate their negligence can be decisive. Witness statements, photographic evidence or medical records can be of great assistance when you claim jaw injury compensation. You can stay optimistic even if you have little or no proof, as your solicitor can help gather everything you need to secure a win.

How to make a jaw injury claim?

All types of jaw injuries, from bruising to dislocation or bone fractures, are common and valid causes for making a jaw injury claim. Any damage to the jaw muscles, ligaments, bones or nerves can be very upsetting, and you might want to claim compensation for all that you’ve endured.

The first step to secure a convincing and triumphant claim is contacting an experienced solicitor. They will listen to you and counsel you during the legal process, help determine the liable party and gather proof against them while taking care of the necessary paperwork.

If you don’t have a precise idea of who you should claim against, the solicitor can figure that out based on the circumstances of your injury. Some common scenarios that could lead to a broken jaw injury claim are:

• a slip, trip and fall at work or in a public place
• road traffic accidents
• sports injuries
• unprovoked assault at work, in a nightclub or any public place
• accidental falls in the home
• dental malpractice
• workplace or industrial accidents

Depending on the unique details of how you got injured, your compensation could be awarded by:

• an insurance company, in the case of work and road accidents
• the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), for victims of violent criminal assaults
• the National Health Service (NHS) or a private medical provider
• the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, for victims of hit and run traffic accidents
• the local authorities, likely through an insurer

When making a personal injury claim, you will need evidence to show how the events unfolded, who was at fault, and how the trauma affected your life. Some undeniable proof would be:

Witness statements. If any bystanders saw what happened, make sure to get their contact details. Your solicitor might contact them later for a statement.

Medical evidence. It is imperative to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after your accident. You can later use a copy of your medical records as evidence in your broken jaw injury claim. Furthermore, it is necessary to keep track of medical expenses and transportation costs to hospital appointments if you want to ask for a reimbursement.

Photographic evidence. Taking pictures of the accident scene and what might have caused your injury can significantly increase your chances of success in a broken jaw injury claim. Keeping a photographic record of your injuries and recovery process can also serve as irrefutable evidence in your claim.

CCTV footage. Always try to find out if any CCTV cameras might have captured the incident. A request can then be made to get a copy of the footage.

Accident reports. If you are the victim of an accident at work or in a public place, the law requires you to file an official report with the responsible authorities.

Your solicitor will also arrange a free medical examination with a registered doctor to source evidence of your injury and help claim the maximum compensation award you deserve.

What are the different types of jaw injury?

The jaw is a pair of bones that contain teeth made of a movable lower jaw (mandible) and fixed upper jaw (maxilla). The maxilla is firmly attached to the skull, while the mandible is attached to the temporal bone through movable hinge joints known as the temporomandibular joints. These are held together by ligaments.

Strong mandibular muscles crucial for chewing are attached to the bone through many tendons. Besides, many nerves run through the jaw to help you bite, speak, chew, and feel other sensations.

A jaw injury can lead to damage in any of these structures. This could make vital activities like drinking and eating difficult, painful or even impossible in some cases. Common injuries to the jaw include:

• damage to the ligaments and tendons
• a broken upper or lower jaw
• jaw dislocations
• torn muscles
• cancer of the jaw
• temporomandibular disorders
• nerve damage

Depending on the extent of the trauma, typical symptoms of a broken jaw or other jaw injuries involve:

• pain, swelling and bleeding
• breathing difficulties
• inability to close the mouth, which may cause drooling
• numbness and bruising in the face or gums
• discomfort when chewing
• jaw stiffness
• loosened or lost teeth
• difficulty in speaking
• facial deformities

The most immediate symptoms of a broken jaw are pain, swelling and bleeding, making your jaw painful and stiff. You might feel a considerable amount of pain while chewing or speaking. If you experience a severe fracture, you might be unable to move your jaw at all.

A jaw injury will most likely be treated as an emergency. If you have a dislocated jaw, a doctor might be able to reposition it manually. In some cases, you might need to undergo surgery to set the joints in the normal position.

Treatment for a broken jaw might also require surgery. Usually, broken and dislocated jaws are bandaged or wired shut during recovery. Wires and elastic bands will keep your jaw closed and your bite in place. During recovery, you might need to take painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications and follow a soft foods diet.

Generally, people who experienced a mild dislocation or jaw fracture should expect a recovery in four to eight weeks. Recovery from a surgical fracture might take up to several months. Luckily, the rehabilitation is almost always complete, with few long-lasting side effects.

If you suffered a jaw injury without being at fault, you deserve compensation for all the trauma and inconveniences you’ve experienced. A broken jaw injury claim can provide the assistance you need to recover.

Your solicitor will work with other specialists to grant you financial support, advice on personal injury trusts, access to treatment and therapies not always available through the National Health Service.

Get a free consultation with a legal adviser by calling 0800 470 0474 or by filling out our online claim form to request a call back.

What are the common causes of a broken jaw and other jaw injuries?

Many scenarios could lead to damage to the jaw, and the specific details of the accident will probably make your case unique. Nonetheless, experiencing facial trauma is the primary cause of a broken jaw and other jaw injuries. Some common causes include:

• An unprovoked physical assault. Being physically attacked by somebody with no provocation can be very distressing. Besides the physical injuries, you can experience deep emotional trauma. Even if the attacker is unknown or doesn’t have the means to pay you compensation, you can still make a jaw injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), providing the assault has been reported to the police.
• Sports injuries. If you suffer a preventable injury due to the negligence of somebody who owed you a duty of care while playing sports, you might be able to sue for compensation.
• Road accidents. If you suffered a jaw injury as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist through no fault of your own, you might be able to claim jaw injury compensation. The liable party could be another road user, a manufacturing company or the local council responsible for road maintenance.
• Dental malpractice. Most people hate going to the dentist, even for a simple routine check. Unfortunately, poor, delayed or incorrect treatment can bring you further injury or suffering. Dental negligence can also cause nerve damage or damage to your teeth and gums. This can affect not only your physical health but also your mental wellbeing. If a healthcare professional fails to provide adequate care for you, you might be eligible to claim jaw injury compensation.
• A slip, trip or fall can occur due to poor housekeeping by the responsible party and be caused by hazards such as uneven pavements, wet surfaces or poorly lit areas.
• Industrial or workplace accident. Every employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment for all employees. When they neglect their responsibilities, accidents are bound to happen. If you suffered a broken jaw or other jaw injuries due to their negligence, you might claim broken jaw injury compensation.

You can get a jaw injury in many other ways. It is essential to speak to a professional solicitor and explain the specifics of your accident to determine if you have a valid claim and who is the liable party.

How much compensation can I claim for a jaw injury?

The compensation that might be awarded to you in a broken jaw injury claim strictly depends on the particulars of your case.

The amount of money you might get depends on the extent of your injuries and the financial losses you incurred as a result.

There are two kinds of damages for which you can claim compensation, namely special and general damages.

Special damages include all financial losses and expenses related to your incident, anticipating future medical costs and loss of earnings. These can be mathematically assessed and include:

• medical expenses like medication, surgery, hospital stays
• costs of care
• physiotherapy and other treatments
• transportation costs for medical appointments
• loss of income and earning capacity

It is more difficult to calculate a suitable compensation for general damages, including pain, suffering and loss of amenity. They are unique to each claimant and can include compensation for:

• physical pain and impairment
• psychological and emotional trauma
• permanent disfigurement or disability
• reduced quality of life
• loss of enjoyment
• loss of prospects

The solicitors and the Courts use the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases published by the Judicial College as a starting point when calculating compensation. According to these guidelines, you might receive the following amounts:

• £5,150 to £6,960 for a simple jaw fracture with minor impacts on your life
• £14,320 to £24,300 for a serious jaw injury with permanent consequences
• £24,300 to £36,310 for a very severe jaw injury with multiple fractures

An experienced solicitor can give you an approximation of the compensation amount you might receive by considering all the special and general damages you suffered after your jaw injury. Get a free estimate by calling 0800 470 0474 or fill out our online form to receive a call back.

How long do I have to claim for a jaw injury?

In general, you have up to three years from the day you suffered your jaw injury to start making a claim. After the claim limitation date expires, your case will classify as statute-barred, meaning you can no longer bring it to Court because too much time has passed.

It is, however, advisable to get in touch with a solicitor as soon as possible. This way, you and any witnesses are more likely to remember all details and particulars about the accident. This also gives the solicitor a lot of time to prepare the case and gather all the possible evidence.

The three-year limitation date might differ in some situations:

• If the victim was a child, a litigation friend could claim jaw injury compensation on their behalf until they turn 18. After becoming a legal adult, they have until their 21st birthday to claim in their own name.
• If you also suffered head or brain injuries and lost the psychological capacity to make a jaw injury claim, a litigation friend can do it in your name with no time limit.
• There is no time limit to claim on behalf of a victim that lacks the mental capacity to ask for compensation by themselves.
• Victims of an assault generally have two years to make a claim. In certain circumstances, like being too ill to start a claim, the time limit might get extended.
• If a faulty product caused you to suffer a jaw injury, you are eligible to start a claim within ten years from the product launch date.
• If the injury happened abroad, the limitation date might vary. A solicitor can advise you on the specific limitation period relevant to the country where you sustained your jaw injury.

Don’t hesitate to contact a legal adviser for any questions regarding the time limitation date in your unique case. You can do so by calling the free number 0800 470 0474. An experienced legal adviser will answer all your questions with no further obligation.