Epilepsy Claim Payouts: Grand Mal, Petit Mal and Temporary Epilepsy Compensation Guide (2026)
Epilepsy claim compensation in the UK typically ranges from around £13,000 to £184,000, depending on the severity and permanence of the condition. Lower awards are generally made where epilepsy is temporary or involves occasional seizures, while higher compensation is associated with permanent grand mal or petit mal epilepsy and ongoing disability.
This guide explains how epilepsy can arise following events such as head injury or clinical negligence, and how different types of epilepsy are assessed for compensation purposes. It also outlines the factors that determine how much you may be able to claim.
A detailed payout table is provided below as a guide, followed by practical examples showing how compensation is calculated in real cases, including both pain and suffering and financial losses.
- Epilepsy Claim Payouts: Grand Mal, Petit Mal and Temporary Epilepsy Compensation Guide (2026)
Payouts Table (2026) for Epilepsy Claims
Our payouts table provides an outline of the amounts of compensation you can claim for epilepsy caused as a result of negligence and/or breach of statutory duty.
| Epilepsy Type & Severity | Typical Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Temporary epileptic seizures | £13,000 – £32,500 |
| Petit mal epilepsy | £67,000 – £161,000. |
| Grand mal epilepsy | £125,000 – £184,000 |
Detailed Calculated Pain and Suffering Examples And Financial Expense
Later in our article we explain how these compensation amounts for pain and suffering are calculated – with solicitor assessed examples.
Remember – you can claim additional compensation for financial loss and expense (caused as a direct result of your injury). For example – lost income and medical expenses.
What Is an Epilepsy Claim?
A claim for compensation monies for pain and suffering you experience plus financial loss and expense you suffer from temporary or permanent epilepsy is known as an epilepsy claim. An epilepsy claim is made against an individual, business or institution who is considered legally-at-fault for causing or aggravating your epilepsy.
Types of Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that causes bursts of electrical activity in your brain, known as seizures, that in essence can temporarily interrupt your normal brain function.
Your brain is made up of neurones, which rely on electrical impulses to communicate with each other. An epileptic seizure occurs when these electrical impulses are disrupted, so that your brain and body behave in a way that you do not intend.
During a seizure – you may experience both uncontrolled jerking, known as a fit, and/or a number of other symptoms.
Primarily two main types of epilepsy exist (depending on the severity of the seizures experienced).
Grand Mal Epilepsy
Grand mal epileptic seizures are the worst type (technically known as a tonic-clonic seizure).
During a grand mal epileptic seizure, not only do you lose consciousness, but also you may experience muscle contractions, which can be violent.
Petit Mal Epilepsy
The lesser type of epileptic seizure is known as “petit mal” or an “absence seizure”. This is so named as you have a staring spell (or absence of mind) for a short period – typically less than 15 seconds.
How Epilepsy Can Be Caused
Epilepsy can be initiated in various different ways.
Two such ways include head injury in an accident or lack of oxygen during birth.
Head Injury in an Accident
If you have been in an accident involving a significant impact to your head, you may experience head injury and consequent abnormal brain function, such as seizures causing epilepsy.
If the accident can be shown to be the legal fault of another then you will likely be able to claim compensation for all of your injuries, including your epilepsy condition.
Typical accidents that can cause head injuries, include; car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trip accidents or being struck on the head from a falling object in a work accident.
Remember – to succeed with an epilepsy compensation claim, you must prove legal fault and/or negligence. What is known as “the burden of proof” is on you (through your solicitor).
Clinical Negligence Causing Lack of Oxygen During Birth
If you or your child suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth due to medical error or clinical negligence, you may be able to claim compensation.
However, time limits apply. Most personal injury and clinical negligence claims must be made within three years of the negligent act or the date you became aware of the injury. This is known as the limitation period.
When the injury occurs at birth, a broader interpretation of limitation can apply. A child has until their 18th birthday (in England and Wales) before the limitation period begins. Therefore, a claim can usually be brought up until their 21st birthday (in England and Wales).
What Compensation Can an Epilepsy Claim Include?
An epilepsy claim has two parts:
Firstly – a claim for your pain and suffering (for having to live with symptoms and the life altering effects of epilepsy), and
Secondly – a claim for all your financial losses (as a direct result of your epilepsy condition).
Financial losses might include – lost income, medical expenses, help in the home, travel expenses to the hospital and GP, etc.
Epilepsy Compensation Calculation Examples (Solicitor-Assessed)
The amount of compensation you can claim is calculated depending on the type of epilepsy you experience, whether the condition is permanent or temporary and the effect it has on your working or social life.
Calculations of how much compensation your epilepsy claim could be worth, include:
Permanent Grand Mal Epilepsy Claim Payouts
Grand mal epileptic seizures with a permanent risk of recurrence will lead to compensation settlements calculated between £125,000 – £184,000.
Permanent Petit Mal Epilepsy Claim Payouts
Petit mal can cause major disruptions to your life, but can be controlled with medication. How much compensation you are entitled to depends on both the effect medication has on your appreciation of life, how the epilepsy affects your working and social life and whether you have behavioural problems as a result of your epileptic condition.
Generally speaking average payouts for petit mal epilepsy claims are calculated between £67,000 – £161,000.
Temporary Epileptic Seizures or Resurgence of Epilepsy
Your accident may cause a couple of epileptic seizures. Alternatively, previously controlled pre-existing epilepsy may have returned for a temporary period only. Resultant average claim payout amounts for temporary epilepsy would likely be calculated between £13,000 – £32,500.
Summary – Epileptic Claim Compensation
In summary, epilepsy compensation depends on the severity of the condition, the type and frequency of seizures, and whether the condition is temporary or permanent. Higher awards are associated with long-term grand mal or petit mal epilepsy and significant impact on daily life.
The examples show how claims are assessed in practice. Compensation includes both pain and suffering and financial loss, such as lost income, care needs, and treatment costs. However, a successful claim will depend on proving that the epilepsy was caused by a specific event, such as a head injury or clinical negligence.
Free Specialist Legal Help
We offer a number of online / telephone free legal help options for you to take advantage of. Have your epilepsy claim assessed or speak direct to our solicitors to have any questions you might have answered.
