Last Updated 1st September 2025. If you are living with chronic pain after an accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to make a chronic pain compensation claim.
Whether your injury happened at work, in a car accident, or in a public place, Legal Expert can help you seek the compensation you deserve, not only for your pain and suffering but also for financial losses such as lost income, medical bills, and care costs.
At Legal Expert, our specialist chronic pain solicitors are experienced in handling these complex claims. We understand how life-changing these conditions can be, and we are here to guide you through the process with free advice, No Win No Fee representation, and a strong track record of securing compensation for clients nationwide.
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4.8 (466 reviews) What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain affects millions across the UK, with around 28 million adults estimated to live with the condition. Defined as pain lasting more than 12 weeks, chronic pain can range from a constant dull ache to severe and debilitating symptoms. Beyond the physical impact, it can also cause psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety, making everyday tasks and working life difficult.
Chronic pain is an umbrella term which can refer to a variety of different medical conditions causing a patient to experience either constant or long-term recurring pain. Chronic pain can be caused by an initial trauma or injury. It can also be caused by an infection. Chronic pain can also occur without any evidence of injury, trauma or evidence of damage to the body. Below are some of the main causes of chronic pain.
- RSD, or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, is a serious pain disorder caused by the nervous system malfunctioning, leading to chronic pain. It can be caused by broken bones and damage to the nerves, soft tissue, sprains, slips, and even bruising. This type of chronic pain often presents several months after the original accident or injury. It can often be difficult to diagnose correctly.
- Fibromyalgia. This has a number of symptoms which can often present in a different way in different people. Symptoms include widespread pain and/or extreme sensitivity to pain across the whole body. Fibromyalgia can occur spontaneously, or be caused by a trauma.
- Myofascial pain. This affects your soft tissues and can involve a single muscle or be across a whole muscle group. Its symptoms include pain, muscle spasm and tenderness. It is usually caused by a strain injury to a muscle or to the supporting tendons or ligament.
Can I Claim Compensation For Chronic Pain?
Suffering from chronic pain can be a stressful experience for many people and it is commonly associated with other effects such as depression, a lower quality of life, impaired bodily function and even job losses in some cases.
At Legal Expert, we help people suffering from chronic pain to get the compensation they deserve, such as by bringing a fibromyalgia claim. If you have chronic pain caused by a workplace accident or injury, a road traffic accident or a slip, trip or fall, we may be able to bring a claim for chronic pain on your behalf. Due to the different causes of chronic pain, and the resulting effects, chronic pain claims cases can be very complex and require specialist assessment.
How Long Do I Have To Make A Chronic Pain Claim?
If you wish to claim chronic pain compensation amounts, the Limitation Act 1980 states that you have 3 years from the date of the injury to begin the process.
In some instances, chronic pain compensation may still be claimed after 3 years. For example, you could use the date of knowledge as the start of your time limit. This is the date you become aware that your injuries were caused by negligence. You will need to support this date with evidence such as a medical report detailing the date of your diagnosis.
The time limit is suspended completely for claimants under 18. However, it begins once they reach adulthood. Before this date, a litigation friend must be appointed to claim on behalf of the child.
A litigation friend must also be appointed if a claim is to be made on behalf of a claimant with reduced mental capacity. The time limit is suspended in these cases too. It would begin should the injured party recover to a point where they’re deemed capable of making their own claim.
Get in touch if you need any advice, and to find out if we could connect you with one of our chronic pain solicitors.
Chronic Pain Compensation Amounts and Payouts
If your chronic pain is the result of a liable party’s negligence, you may be interested in learning more about pain and suffering settlement examples in the UK. As each claim is different, we can’t discuss exact chronic pain compensation amounts. However, we can show you how compensation could be calculated.
To compensate for pain and suffering, general damages is paid out in a successful claim. To help assign a value to this amount, legal professionals use a document titled the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) from Judiciary UK. It contains a listing of injuries, including chronic pain conditions, with compensation brackets for claims made in England and Wales.
In addition to general damages, special damages are awarded in some claims. We examine special damages in more detail shortly.
General Damages
In our table, we’ve provided examples from the latest update of the JCG for chronic pain. As we discussed above, each claim is different. Therefore, these figures are not representative of what you will receive. Also, the top figure is not from the JCG.
| Injury Type | Severity | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Serious Chronic Pain Plus Financial Loss | Severe | Up to £250,000+ |
| Severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) | Severe | £64,070 to £102,520 |
| CRPS | Moderate | £34,200 to £64,070 |
| Other Pain Disorders | Severe | £51,410 to £76,870 |
| Other Pain Disorders | Moderate | £25,710 to £46,970 |
| Psychiatric Damage | Moderately Severe | £23,270 to £66,920 |
| Psychiatric Damage | Moderate | £7,150 to £23,270 |
To learn more about chronic pain compensation or for help using our compensation calculator, please get in touch with our advisors.
What Else Can Chronic Pain Compensation Include?
The chronic pain compensation amounts listed above only refer to general damages. There are also special damages to consider. If you have experienced major financial loss, especially if your chronic pain has left you unable to work or function as you did before, you could be in line to claim a significant sum.
Special damages compensation accounts for such loss. You might seek a payment for the likes of:
- A loss of earnings if you miss work or have to leave your role. This can account for projected future earnings, not just what you miss out on at the time.
- Medical bills or prescription fees.
- The cost of replacing damaged property.
- Home healthcare bills.
Our chronic pain solicitors could help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today to discuss how chronic pain compensation works and have an in-depth discussion about what you can claim for.
How Do I Prove My Chronic Pain Claim?
To support your chronic pain compensation claim, you must obtain evidence. For any claim to be successful, solicitors must establish third-party liability, and evidence creates a compelling argument to achieve this.
This is simply a collection of facts, documents and other resources that illustrate how the third party breached their duty of care, resulting in your chronic injury. Some examples of evidence that may support your claim include:
- Copies of medical records that state your chronic injuries
- Copies of medical scans, such as an X-ray
- Copies of your prescriptions showing your medication
- Documents of your treatment, such as physiotherapy
- Diary entries of your experiences of chronic pain
- Documents of mental health services you accessed
- CCTV or dashcam footage of your accident
- The accident report book the incident was reported in
- Documents of your financial losses, such as receipts
- Correspondence with the third party, such as emails
- Contact details of anyone who witnessed your injury
As well as being used to establish third-party liability, evidence also paints a picture of the impact your chronic injury has had on your life. So, the more evidence you are able to collect, the more you will support your claim and ensure your compensation reflects your suffering.
If you need help finding evidence, our excellent solicitors may assist you and will then review it to try to establish third-party liability.
If you would like more examples of evidence that supports chronic pain compensation claims, please contact our advisors.
Claim Compensation With Our Chronic Pain Solicitors
Our chronic pain solicitors understand that you may be worried about paying for legal representation. However, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay anything upfront to get the claim started. Only if the claim succeeds do you pay a fee, which is a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation award. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay our solicitors a success fee.
You can get in touch with our friendly advisors to learn more today by:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) On Chronic Pain Compensation Claims
Below, you can find answers to frequently asked questions on chronic pain compensation claims:
Can I Claim Compensation For Chronic Pain After A Car Accident?
Yes. If you developed chronic pain following a car accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim. Chronic pain can persist long after the initial injuries heal, affecting your mobility, mental health, and ability to work. A claim can cover both general damages for the pain and suffering itself, as well as special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs, and care expenses.
Can I Claim Compensation For Chronic Pain Syndrome?
Yes. If you have been diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome (CPS) caused by an accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation. Chronic pain syndrome can lead to long-term physical discomfort, psychological effects such as anxiety or depression, and difficulties with work and daily life.
When Does The Limitation Period Start For Chronic Pain Claims?
The time limit usually starts from the date of injury, but for chronic pain the “date of knowledge” may apply: the date when you first realised the pain was caused by negligence. This can extend your time to claim.
Can I Get Interim Payments Before My Claim Settles?
Yes. In cases of chronic pain, it is possible to request interim (advance) payments to cover urgent costs like treatment or living expenses while your case is ongoing.
How Are General And Special Damages Calculated In Chronic Pain Claims?
General damages cover pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (valued using guidelines). Special damages reimburse financial losses—lost earnings, medical and care costs, travel, home adaptations, and more.
What Medical Evidence Do I Need To Support A Chronic Pain Claim?
You’ll usually need expert reports from pain specialists, imaging (MRI, CT scans), neurological tests, a pain diary, and assessments from physiotherapists, psychologists, and other relevant clinicians.
What If I Had Pain Before The Accident (Pre-Existing Condition)?
If you already had pain, the claim must distinguish which symptoms were worsened (aggravated) by the accident. You may only recover for the additional harm caused.
Can I Change Solicitors If My Chronic Pain Was Ignored Before?
Yes. If your current lawyer failed to include your chronic pain in your claim, you may switch to a specialist firm. In rare cases, you could bring a claim against the original solicitor for professional negligence.
Do Chronic Pain Claims Include Psychological Or Mental Injury?
Yes. If your chronic pain leads to depression, anxiety, PTSD or other psychiatric harm, those effects can be included in your compensation—provided you have evidence linking them to the chronic pain.
What Defences Might Be Raised Against My Chronic Pain Claim?
Defendants may argue your symptoms are exaggerated, unrelated to the accident, or purely psychological. They may challenge causation or the legitimacy of experts. Our specialist solicitors will anticipate and counter these arguments.
How Long Do Chronic Pain Cases Usually Take To Settle?
Because chronic pain claims are complex, they often take longer than straightforward injury claims. Depending on evidence, negotiation and medical assessments, they might take 18 months or sometimes longer.
What Are The Causes Of Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain may begin after an injury, surgery, or infection, even once the initial damage has healed. In some cases, pain signals remain active in the nervous system for months, while in others, there is no clear cause or visible tissue damage. Common causes include lower back pain, arthritis, and persistent headaches. Because chronic pain can exist independently of an injury, doctors now recognise it often requires its own specialised treatment plan.
