Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell

Sight:

Transient eye injuries (£1,900 - £3,400) are those in which a full recovery will have been made within a few weeks. Minor eye injuries (£3,400 - £7,500) these injuries will result in pain initially and cause temporary problems with vision. They may include being struck in the eye or irritation from fumes, smoke or liquids. Minor impairment of vision (£7,900 - £18,000) may result in double vision, which is not ongoing, but results in some ongoing impairment such as sensitivity to light. Serious loss of vision in one eye (£20,500 - £34,400) may result in constant double or blurred vision and a sensitivity to light. Where both eyes are affected, compensation will be at the top end of this bracket. Complete loss of sight or total loss of one eye (£43,000 - £57,500) compensation takes into account scarring of the eye, age and psychological impact. Risk of sympathetic ophthalmia is also considered for this award.  Loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision in second (£56,000 - £157,500) where there is reduced vision or problems such as double vision. Compensation at the top of this bracket will be awarded when there is a serious risk of deterioration in the remaining eye. Total blindness (£235,000) will have a significant impact on the injured persons daily life and will increase dependence on other people. Total blindness and deafness (354,000) Is considered one of the most devastating of injuries.

Hearing

The amount of compensation awarded can depend on whether the injury has an impact on employment and whether this will affect balance and speech. Slight NIHL or tinnitus (£4,000 - £6,000) only noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus is present, not both. Slight or mild NIHL and tinnitus (£6,400 - £13,000) both noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus is present. Moderate or severe NIHL and tinnitus (£13,000 - £39,900) both noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus is present. Total loss of hearing in one ear (£27,400 - £39,900) can result in symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness and headaches. Total deafness (£79,500 - £96,000) compensation at the lower end of this bracket will be awarded to those where there is no tinnitus or speech is unaffected. Total deafness and loss of speech (£96,000 - £123,300) can occur at a young age, for example via a rubella infection, which has a serious affect on normal speech development.

Taste & Smell

Injuries which cause loss of taste or smell alone are rare. In nearly all cases of loss of smell there will be some impairment to taste. Loss of taste (£16,800 - £21,900), Loss of smell (£21,900 - £28,800) Total Loss of Smell and Significant Loss of Taste (£28,800 - £34,300) in nearly all cases of loss of smell there will be some impairment to taste. Full loss of taste will result in compensation at the top end of this bracket. .