Spinal injury compensation claims

The spinal cord is a long, fragile bundle of nerves that run down the back of the body from the brain stem to the bottom of the spine. The spinal cord is the means by which the brain communicates with the rest of the body, such as muscles and organs, and allows us to feel sensations and control our movements.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is always serious. An SCI injury which breaks, cuts or damages the spinal cord causes a permanent loss of communication between the brain and the parts of the body which are below the break. The higher the level of the injury to the spine, the greater the permanent disability, loss of function and sensory impairment.

The injured person’s disability from their spinal cord injury (SCI) depends on:

• the level of the SCI on the spine:
  • cervical spine (neck);
  • thoracic spine (upper back);
  • lumbar spine (lower back):
• whether the spinal cord was compressed (squeezed) or severed (cut);
• how quickly the spinal cord injury (SCI) was diagnosed, stabilised and surgically treated;
• the way the patient was handled, positioned, immobilised and transported to hospital;
• the timing and quality of the patient’s rehabilitation.

In some cases, the injured person may suffer fractures to the vertebrae (bones) of the back or neck without immediate injury to the spinal cord. The injured person will avoid the paralysis and disability of a spinal cord injury but may need surgery or treatment to immobilise, stabilise and support the spine whilst the bones heal. They may also need rehabilitation, such as exercise under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Whilst less devastating than an SCI, spinal fractures may have longer term effects, such as restricting the injured person’s ability to return to their former work.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe and lasting disability. Where that disability has been caused by the negligence of somebody else, such as a driver or an employer, the injured person may be entitled to claim compensation.

Spinal injury compensation claims often involve injured clients one or more of the following disabilities:

• paralysis (loss of control and sensation):
  • paraplegia or paralysis of the lower half of the body;
  • tetraplegia/ quadriplegia or paralysis in all four limbs and torso;
• difficulty with breathing;
• impaired mobility (ability to walk, run) and control of muscles;
• altered/loss of sensation, tingling, or numbness;
• weakness in arms and legs;
• peroneal nerve injury (foot drop);
• chronic pain and muscle spasms;
• bowel dysfunction (incontinence);
• problems with bladder and urinary function (incontinence);
• sexual and reproductive difficulties;
• cauda equina syndrome (CES);
• spinal fractures (broken back or neck bones or vertebrae);
• PTSD and psychological injury.

Our personal injury solicitors secure rehabilitation and recover compensation for clients with disability arising from spinal cord injury caused by:

• road traffic accidents (RTAs);
• accidents at work;
• farm accidents;
• falls whilst working at heights;
• unsafe buildings;
• defective products;
• sports and leisure accidents;
• accidents in schools;
• criminal injury.

Each person’s spinal cord injury affects them differently, physically, psychologically and financially. This means that no two clients’ injuries or claims are ever exactly the same. Our experienced solicitors investigate the circumstances of each client’s accident, their injury, and disability and the way it affects their life. Our client’s claim is then carefully calculated to ensure that their compensation will cover their losses and meet their needs, now and in the future.

Our clients’ spinal cord injury claims often include compensation for:

• pain, suffering, and disability;
• rehabilitation costs;
• costs of care and case management;
• costs of therapies, such as:
  • physiotherapy;
  • occupational therapy (OT);
  • speech and language therapy;
  • hydrotherapy;
  • psychological counselling.
• surgical or medical treatment costs;
• home adaptations or increased costs of suitable accommodation;
• specialist vehicles, wheelchairs, equipment, and aids;
• assistive technology (IT);
• loss of earnings and pension;
• special educational support (SEN) (if a child).

In addition to compensation, where rehabilitation is needed to optimise our client’s recovery, we can often secure funding from the defendant’s insurers under the Rehabilitation Code. This allows our client to undergo rehabilitation when they need it most, giving them the best chance of their fullest recovery. Once liability for the accident and injury is established against the defendant, we can also secure substantial interim (advance) payments to help ease financial hardship and pay for necessary specialist equipment, therapies, and adapted accommodation straight away.