A facial fracture can result in serious physical injuries, long-term pain, cosmetic changes, and emotional distress.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a facial fracture may require reconstructive surgery, ongoing medical treatment, and lengthy rehabilitation.
At Coleman Legal LLP, our experienced solicitors assist clients throughout every stage of a facial fracture claim.
Whether your injury occurred in a road traffic accident, workplace accident, fall, sporting incident, or another situation caused by someone else’s negligence, we can advise you on your legal rights and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Compensation amount
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines
The Personal Injuries Guidelines assess compensation for a facial fracture claim based on the location of the fracture, the treatment required, any permanent deformity, functional impairment, and the long-term impact on your daily life.
Lefort fractures of the frontal facial bones
- Compensation range: €50,000–€80,000
Multiple fractures of the facial bones
- Permanent facial deformity.
- Compensation range: €25,000–€50,000
Fractures of the nose or nasal complex
Serious or multiple fractures requiring surgery with permanent damage
- Airway obstruction.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Nerve damage.
- Tear duct damage.
- Facial deformity.
- Compensation range: €25,000–€50,000
Displaced fracture requiring surgery with full recovery
- Compensation range: €10,000–€25,000
Displaced fracture requiring manipulation with full recovery within six months
- Compensation range: €3,000–€5,000
Simple undisplaced fracture with complete recovery
- Compensation range: €500–€3,000
Fractures of the cheekbone
Serious fractures requiring surgery with permanent consequences
- Facial numbness (paraesthesia).
- Lip numbness.
- Facial disfigurement.
- Compensation range: €25,000–€50,000
Simple fracture requiring reconstructive surgery with complete recovery
- Compensation range: €10,000–€25,000
Simple fracture requiring no surgery
- Compensation range: €500–€6,000
Fractures of the jaw
Very serious multiple jaw fractures
- Permanent consequences.
- Severe pain.
- Eating restrictions.
- Paraesthesia.
- Arthritis risk.
- Compensation range: €50,000–€80,000
Serious jaw fracture
- Permanent difficulty opening the mouth.
- Difficulty eating.
- Ongoing numbness.
- Compensation range: €30,000–€60,000
Simple jaw fracture
- Immobilisation with complete recovery.
- Compensation range: €3,000–€12,000
Every facial fracture claim is assessed individually.
Compensation depends on the seriousness of the injury, medical treatment required, permanent cosmetic changes, ongoing symptoms, and the impact on your quality of life.
Common causes of a facial fracture
A facial fracture claim may arise from many different types of accidents, including:
- Road traffic accidents involving cars, motorcycles, cyclists or pedestrians.
- Slips, trips and falls in public places or workplaces.
- Workplace accidents involving machinery, falling objects or construction work.
- Sporting accidents involving high-impact or contact sports.
- Assaults causing fractures to the jaw, cheekbone, nose or facial bones.
If your facial fracture was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to bring a facial fracture claim.
Facial fracture claim process
1. Contact a facial fracture claim solicitor
Our experienced solicitors will assess your case, explain your legal options and begin gathering the evidence required to support your facial fracture claim.
2. Submit an application to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)
Most personal injury claims arising from road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and accidents in public places must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Medical negligence and assault claims generally do not follow this process.
3. Gather medical evidence
Your solicitor will obtain medical records, consultant reports, radiology reports and any expert evidence necessary to support your facial fracture claim.
4. Defendant’s response
The IRB will notify the respondent, who has 90 days to consent to the assessment. If consent is refused, the IRB will issue an Authorisation allowing court proceedings to commence.
5. Assessment of your claim
If both parties agree to the IRB process, the Board will assess your claim using the available medical evidence and the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
If either party rejects the assessment, your solicitor can pursue your facial fracture claim through the courts.
Statute of Limitations
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge of your injury, to commence a facial fracture claim.
Different limitation periods apply to children and certain protected persons.
Our solicitors can advise you on the time limits that apply to your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation is available for a Lefort facial fracture in Ireland?
In Ireland, compensation for a facial fracture claim involving Lefort fractures is assessed under the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Lefort fractures are among the most serious facial injuries and generally attract compensation ranging from €50,000 to €80,000, depending on the severity of permanent deformity, breathing difficulties, nerve damage, and ongoing functional impairment.
Multiple facial fractures resulting in permanent facial deformity are assessed within the €25,000 to €50,000 bracket.
Can I make a facial fracture claim for a broken nose following an accident?
Yes. A broken nose caused by a road traffic accident, workplace accident, fall, or another incident involving negligence may give rise to a facial fracture claim.
Compensation depends on the seriousness of the fracture, whether surgery was required, any breathing difficulties, cosmetic deformity, nerve damage, and the overall recovery.
Does a facial fracture caused by an assault go through the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)?
No. Assault claims are generally excluded from the mandatory IRB process and usually proceed directly through the courts.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may also be available through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. Your solicitor will advise on the most appropriate course of action.
What evidence is required for a jaw fracture claim?
Medical evidence from a consultant maxillofacial surgeon is usually required to confirm the diagnosis, treatment received, prognosis, and any permanent functional problems.
Imaging such as CT scans or X-rays, together with medical records and evidence of ongoing symptoms, will assist in supporting your facial fracture claim.
Can I recover the cost of reconstructive or cosmetic surgery after a facial fracture?
Yes. Where reconstructive or cosmetic surgery is reasonably required because of a facial fracture caused by another person’s negligence, these costs may be recoverable as special damages.
Future treatment costs may also form part of a facial fracture claim where supported by appropriate medical evidence.
