How Much Compensation Can I Claim Per Stitch?

In the UK, there’s no such thing as claiming per stitch, as all injuries are different. The type of stitches – and number – define the injury’s severity, which is what your solicitor will use to calculate your compensation amount.

So, while there’s technically no set amount, one small butterfly stitch will be eligible for less compensation, but traditional stitches (applied using a needle and medical thread) will be eligible for more compensation.

Stitches (also known as sutures) are often used to protect deep and long wounds from infections. They close the wound to ensure faster heating and will reduce the risks of long-term scarring. There are many injuries that might need stitches, including:

• Deep Cuts: If you suffer a cut that’s deeper than 5mm or the bone, tendons, muscle and fat are exposed, stitches will prevent the risks of infection.
• Wide/Long Wounds: Wounds that exceed 2cm often won’t close on their own or will leave lasting scars. But sutures press the edges of the wound together, ensuring faster healing.
• Excessive Bleeding: Bleeding that doesn’t stop within 15 minutes may require stitches to stem the blood flow and prevent excessive loss.
• Gaping/Jagged Wounds: Some wounds don’t come together naturally, which means they have a higher chance of leaving permanent scars, but stitches can reduce the chances of this happening.
• Joint Wounds: If you suffer a laceration injury in a high-movement area, such as the elbow, fingers or knees, there’s a chance that it will open frequently, but stitches close the wound correctly.
• Infection Risks: Deep punctures or injuries caused by objects like knives, metal, gravel, or glass have higher risks of infections, and sutures will prevent foreign materials from getting into the cut.
• Aesthetic Reasons: Minor wounds with a slight chance of scarring often don’t need stitches, but if the injury is on the face or the person relies on their aesthetics for work purposes (e.g. models), stitches can reduce the chances of scars forming.
• Surgical Procedures: When you undergo a surgical procedure, the surgeon usually closes the area with stitches.

A variety of injuries can lead to lacerations, and your ability to claim compensation depends on whether the solicitor can prove that another party was at fault.

Sharp objects, including knives, glass and metal, cause many cuts. These wounds can be incredibly painful, and there’s always a risk of noticeable scars. While many are caused by simple human error, such as kitchen incidents, workplace accidents are common causes of lacerations.

For example, poor health and safety in the workplace can cause construction site accidents and faulty work equipment might result in severe cuts.

Blunt force trauma can be a result of objects falling, workplace injuries, car accidents and even criminal injuries like club and bar fights. The severity of the injury depends on the force in which the object struck you, with some causing other complications like broken bones and concussions.

These injuries often have irregular edges, which impacts their ability to heal correctly. Stitches can ensure a more uniform appearance.

Nobody wants to deal with a bite wound, but they can – and do – happen. These injuries often result from criminal negligence, including dog bites and human bites.

If you work with animals and proper health and safety precautions weren’t followed, it can be grounds for an accident at work claim. Unfortunately, these wounds can cause serious scarring and might even become infected.

Lacerations after surgical procedures are common, but your doctor should do everything possible to minimise scarring. Unfortunately, surgical errors can occur, such as operating on the wrong site or causing a significant internal injury.

Victims of medical negligence can deal with long-term complications that span far beyond permanent scarring.

Your ability to claim personal injury compensation for stitches depends on whether negligence was involved. When you first seek legal advice using the online form or phoning 0800 234 6438, the specialist will ask questions about your injury and determine whether you’re eligible for compensation.

They’ll then connect you with a no win no fee solicitor who will start your personal injury claim. Your compensation will be calculated based on the extent of your injury and any ongoing suffering caused by it.

All compensation claims are different, and your solicitor will need to work out how much you’re entitled to based on general and special damages:

• General Damages: These damages refer to the injury itself, including any loss of amenity. Your solicitor will also factor in pain and suffering.
• Special Damages: These damages factor in any loss of earnings and other expenses, including private care, medical, and travel costs.

The following figures are estimates only. Your compensation depends on how your injury was caused, the area affected, and whether you’ll suffer permanent scarring.

Using a permanent scar compensation calculator can help you determine a ballpark figure, but your solicitor will have a better idea of how much your claim might be worth.

It’s essential to remember that your permanent scar compensation also depends on how the negligence occurred and whether there will be other long-term complications.

For example, if you suffer a significant internal injury due to clinical negligence, you might receive more compensation due to long-term complications.

It can be challenging to claim compensation for criminal injuries, but the government has measures in place to ensure victims receive financial support. If you’re eligible, you can file through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, but most claims should be made within two years after the event.

A personal injury solicitor can help you file a successful claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

The type of evidence you require depends on the nature of your claim. Your personal injury solicitor will work with you to secure proof of negligence, but you can speed the claim along by collecting available evidence, too:

• Witness Statements: Every personal injury claim requires witness statements to prove negligence. These statements could be from other drivers who saw your road traffic accident, co-workers for workplace negligence, or family and friends who can provide accounts regarding the effect of your injuries.
• Medical Records: Seeking medical attention after an injury is essential – even if relatively minor. These records detail the severity of your scarring and the long-term treatment you require. For example, if you want to claim permanent scar injury compensation, the solicitor will need to prove that the wounds won’t completely fade.
• Visual Evidence: Any photographs of your scars, CCTV evidence of the incident and other forms of visual proof can ensure you receive the right amount of compensation.
• Medical Assessments: Your solicitor might ask you to attend an independent medical assessment to verify your injuries. You might also have to attend one arranged by the negligent party’s insurance company or solicitor.

Personal injury claims involving scarring can be relatively simple, but their complexity depends on the type of injuries you experienced and how they occurred.

Once you seek legal advice on 0800 234 6438 or through the online form, the specialist will assess your claim and connect you with a no win no fee solicitor. No win no fee claims are beneficial because there are no financial risks as you won’t pay any upfront fees.

If they secure compensation, their fees will come out of your settlement.

You can only receive compensation if your solicitor successfully proves that you weren’t at fault and the other party failed in their duty of care. For example, all road users have a duty of care to protect other drivers and pedestrians, while employers have strict health and safety laws that they must follow.

If you suffer a minor or significant injury and the solicitor can prove negligence, they’ll calculate how much compensation you should receive.

After assessing your claim and gathering evidence, the solicitor will put your case forward to the negligent party’s solicitor or insurance company. The negotiations can take some time, depending on whether the negligent party is willing to accept fault and offer the requested settlement.

Rarely will the case go to court, but this is usually when neither party can agree to a settlement. Your solicitor will try to avoid court proceedings whenever possible.

Once you agree to compensation, your solicitor will take their fees out of your settlement, and you’ll receive the rest of the money. It’s yours to do as you see fit, including paying for private medical bills, recouping lost earnings and other costs.

If you’re filing a personal injury claim, you’ll have up to three years from the date of your injury to claim compensation. However, the time limit is extended when the person has limited mental capacity, as someone else can claim on their behalf. Children have up to three years after turning 18.

Claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority have a time limit of up to two years, but there are some exceptions. You can find out more on the government’s official website.

It depends on whether you experienced minor or more serious injuries. Minor stitches are easier to settle as they’re usually worth less, while permanent scar compensation claims take longer. There’s no way to say how long the case will take, but your solicitor will keep you informed and attempt to speed the case up.