Official Injury Claim
compensation figures.
The government-set tariff for whiplash and minor soft tissue injury claims — by injury type and recovery period. Always verify current values against the Official Injury Claim tariff schedule.
Under the Official Injury Claim process, compensation for whiplash and minor soft tissue injuries is calculated from a fixed government tariff. The tariff value is determined by two things: the type of injury recorded in your medical report, and the prognosis period — how long your symptoms were expected to last.
The figures below are the tariff amounts for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. They do not include financial losses, which are assessed separately and sit on top of these values. These figures are provided as general guidance only — not legal advice — and are subject to change. Always verify current values against the Official Injury Claim tariff schedule.
The prognosis period in your medical report directly determines which band applies. If your report states a shorter recovery period than you actually experienced, the tariff value — and therefore the settlement offer — will be lower than it should be. Review your report carefully before approving it.
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £240 |
| 3 – 6 months | £495 |
| 6 – 9 months | £840 |
| 9 – 12 months | £1,320 |
| 12 – 15 months | £2,040 |
| 15 – 18 months | £3,005 |
| 18 – 24 months | £4,215 |
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £260 |
| 3 – 6 months | £520 |
| 6 – 9 months | £900 |
| 9 – 12 months | £1,390 |
| 12 – 15 months | £2,125 |
| 15 – 18 months | £3,100 |
| 18 – 24 months | £4,345 |
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £90 |
| 3 – 6 months | £185 |
| 6 – 9 months | £310 |
| 9 – 12 months | £500 |
| 12 – 15 months | Seek legal advice |
Beyond 12 months for psychological injury only: A prognosis period exceeding 12 months moves outside the minor psychological tariff and falls outside this schedule. The OIC process and these tariff figures no longer apply at this level.
What the tariff doesn't cover
The tariff figures above compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. They do not include financial losses caused by the accident — these are assessed separately as special damages and are not capped by the tariff.
Financial losses that may be recoverable in addition to the tariff include:
- Lost earnings — including self-employed income — if the accident prevented you from working
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments
- Prescription costs directly related to the injury
- Physiotherapy or other treatment not covered by the NHS
- Other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident
These must be supported by evidence where possible — receipts, payslips, employer letters. Without evidence, financial loss claims are harder to substantiate.
Why the prognosis period matters so much
The prognosis period is the medical examiner's assessment of how long your symptoms were expected to last. It is recorded in your medical report and determines which tariff band applies to your claim.
A difference of one band — for example, between "up to 3 months" and "3–6 months" for whiplash only — is the difference between £240 and £495. Between "6–9 months" and "9–12 months" it is the difference between £840 and £1,320.
This is why reviewing your draft medical report carefully — before approving it — is one of the most important steps in the process. If the prognosis period is shorter than your actual experience, the offer you receive will reflect that.
ClaimTalk provides general guidance only. Not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Official Injury Claim portal or any government body.