Loss of Smell After Assault - Punched in the Face Skip to main content

Loss of Smell After Assault - Punched in the Face

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John's Story of Being Punched in the Face and His Devastating Loss of Smell

Winston Solicitors recently supported a client, John*, who experienced life-changing consequences including loss of smell following a violent assault. His story illustrates the importance of seeking justice and support through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICA).

The Assault and the Resulting Loss of Smell

John was enjoying a night out when he was attacked and punched in the face several times by another individual. The assault left him with a broken nose, which, while painful, fortunately did not require surgery. However, as John recovered from the immediate injuries, he began to notice a more concerning issue - his sense of smell had been significantly affected.

Initially, John assumed the loss of smell was temporary. His doctor advised that it might return over time, but as weeks turned into months, it became clear that the damage was permanent.

The impact of this condition on John’s everyday life was more profound than he initially realised. He found himself burning food while cooking because he couldn’t smell it. He also became anxious about the safety of his home, particularly his gas oven, as he could no longer detect if gas was leaking. Despite multiple visits to the doctor, John was told that nothing could be done to restore his sense of smell.

Compensation for Loss of Smell

Determined to seek justice for the assault and the lasting effects it caused, John reported the incident to the police and supported their investigation. He then approached us to help him make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Our experienced team guided John through the claims process, ensuring all necessary evidence was submitted, including medical reports detailing his condition and its impact on his daily life. While John’s broken nose was a result of the assault, the permanent loss of smell was the determining factor for his compensation eligibility under the CICA guidelines.

With the assistance of Winston Solicitors, John was awarded £3,500 in compensation. While no financial award could restore his sense of smell, the compensation acknowledged the significant impact the assault had on his quality of life and provided him with some financial relief as he adapted to living with this condition.

Moving Forward After a Violent Crime

John’s case highlights an important point: victims of violent crime may be eligible for compensation, even if their injuries are not immediately visible or fully understood. Loss of smell can be devastating, even if there’s nothing external to see. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme exists to provide support to those who have suffered physical or psychological harm as a result of crime. Seeking professional legal advice ensures that claims are handled efficiently and that victims receive the compensation they deserve.

At Winston Solicitors, we have extensive experience helping clients navigate the CICA process with compassion and professionalism.

If you have suffered injuries as the result of a violent crime, we’re here to help. Contact Winston Solicitors today at 0113 320 5000 or email @email for confidential and expert advice.

To read more first-hand stories resulting in compensation, click the button below.

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* Name changed for anonymity

Client feedback

I had a great experience with Winston Solicitors. They were professional, responsive, and guided me through the entire process with ease. I felt supported and informed at every step, and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance!
Rochelle
Excellent communication and organised in resolving issue.
Anonymous
Good solicitor
Mahdi
Winston solicitors are very helpful they tell you every what they do and they contact you fast and easy method very friendly thank you very much for your help and sporting
Katrina
Winston Solicitors and specifically Heidi Stewart and her team have been outstanding from start to finish when completing my CICA claim. Although the claim has taken a long time due to the complexity, Heidi has provided updates on the claim at least every 4-6 weeks and has had complete transparency throughout, any questions are answered promptly and they’re usually available to speak to on the phone whenever you require.
Anonymous
Keertan was very informative and answered all my questions with no problems. Managed all my expectations perfectly and still got me the result even though it was a bit harder. Would recommend to anyone!
Sephora
Keertan was so helpful & understanding, she spoke through everything & kept me in the loop, highly recommend. Thank you Keertan xx
Jessica
I instructed Winstons to assist me in a CiCA application. Keertan and Heidi made it a stress free process. The communication was amazing and all conversations were done in a sensitive and compassionate way. The knowledge and advice I received was comprehensive but helped me understand each stage of the process. I needed an out of time waiver and was so grateful that they achieved this and I received and award that accounted for all of the offences. I could not recommend them enough. Thank you so much for your help.
Victoria