Use this independent NHS compensation calculator to organise a rough clinical-negligence compensation estimate for England. It separates an indicative general-damages range from financial losses you enter yourself. It is not an official NHS or NHS Resolution calculator, does not decide whether negligence occurred, and is not a legal valuation.

NHS clinical negligence compensation estimator

Important: Choose a broad general-damages range only if you already have a reasonable basis for it (for example, professional advice). This tool does not contain invented injury tariffs.

What is NHS clinical negligence compensation?

NHS Resolution explains that compensation may be available where treatment fell below an acceptable standard and that failure caused injury. A claimant generally needs to establish both breach of duty and causation. An unexpected or poor outcome on its own does not automatically establish negligence.

How compensation is usually broken down

NHS Resolution describes two broad heads of loss. General damages cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special damages can cover financial losses such as lost earnings, care needs, medical expenses and other expenditure caused by the injury. Evidence such as receipts and expert reports can be important.

How to use this calculator

  1. Select a broad general-damages range only if you have a reasonable external basis for it. If you do not, select “Not known”.
  2. Enter past financial losses you can reasonably identify.
  3. Select Estimate total.
  4. Treat the result as an arithmetic planning figure, not a prediction of what a court, NHS Resolution or a solicitor would value the claim at.

Why there is no single NHS negligence payout formula

Current UK compensation calculators commonly combine an injury-based general-damages estimate with financial losses. However, clinical-negligence claims are highly fact-specific. Medical evidence, the severity and duration of harm, prognosis, care needs, earnings losses and future costs can materially change a valuation. For that reason, this calculator deliberately avoids claiming that a selected range is an official NHS tariff.

Worked example

Suppose a person already has a professionally informed general-damages range of £15,000–£30,000. They enter £4,000 lost earnings, £1,500 care costs, £500 treatment and travel costs, and no other losses. The financial-loss subtotal is £6,000, producing a simple combined planning range of £21,000–£36,000. This does not account for future losses, legal deductions, benefits recovery or a professional assessment of the claim.

Time limit and eligibility

NHS Resolution states that personal-injury compensation claims are generally subject to a three-year limitation period, running from the alleged negligence or from when the claimant became aware something had gone wrong. Exceptions and different rules can apply, so limitation should be checked for the individual case rather than relying on this page.

Important limitations

  • This calculator does not determine whether negligence occurred.
  • It does not reproduce Judicial College Guidelines or guarantee any damages bracket.
  • It does not calculate future care, future earnings, pension loss, discount-rate adjustments or benefits recovery.
  • It is designed for general information about NHS clinical-negligence claims in England; legal rules and processes can differ elsewhere in the UK.
  • Clinical-negligence claims often require independent medical and legal evidence.

Authoritative sources

Related calculators

Frequently asked questions

Is this an official NHS compensation calculator?

No. It is an independent calculator and information page. It is not operated, approved or endorsed by the NHS or NHS Resolution.

Can a calculator tell me exactly what an NHS negligence claim is worth?

No. The value can depend on medical evidence, prognosis, pain and suffering, financial losses, future needs and the specific facts of the claim.

What are general and special damages?

General damages relate to pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special damages relate to financial losses caused by the injury, such as lost earnings, care requirements and medical expenses.

How long do I have to make a clinical-negligence claim?

NHS Resolution states a general three-year limitation period for personal-injury compensation claims, but exceptions can apply. Individual legal advice may be needed.

This page provides general information and arithmetic only. It is not legal advice and does not estimate the likelihood of a successful claim.

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