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Spinal injury claims

We're here to help you claim compensation if your spinal injury occurred through no fault of your own.

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Request a callback at a time that is convenient to you, or call us 24/7 on 0800 567 7866

Spinal damage and paralysis is something none of us want to contemplate, but in the UK and Ireland, three people a day are told they will never walk again.

Types of spinal injury

Spinal injuries can be caused in a number of ways, including:

  • Car accident
  • Motorcycle accident
  • Accident at work
  • Construction accident, such as a fall from height
  • Sports injury
  • Medical negligence, such as an operation that went wrong
  • Physical violence

Spinal cord injuries are often referred to in one of two ways: 'complete' spinal cord injury, which is defined as complete loss of function below the point of injury, or 'incomplete', which is where there is some sensation, feeling or movement.

Damage to the cervical spinal cord tends to be the most serious, resulting in varying degrees of paralysis. It can affect mobility, motor control and sensation, as well as the function of bladder, bowel and kidneys.

Why should I make a spinal injury claim?

A life-changing injury like spinal cord damage is a lot to come to terms with, both physically and psychologically. You and your loved ones will have to find ways to adapt to your needs, and make sure your recovery is as comprehensive and positive as possible.

If the injury was not your fault, you have the right to make a claim for damages against those at fault. Making a compensation claim can make a big difference when it comes to finding funds for medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation needs. You may need alterations to your home and vehicle, to enable you to stay mobile and independent. And there is always the loss of earnings and income to consider too.

Claiming for a spinal injury may just remove some of the financial pressure and give you breathing space while you take the time to rest and recuperate.

More about making a claim

How the claim process works

Call

Get in touch

You can contact us 24/7 online or by phone, or use our callback form to request a callback at a time convenient to you

Discuss

Discuss your situation

One of our friendly, legally trained advisors will get in touch with you. They will assess whether you have a claim and match you with the right solicitor for the case

Manage

Manage your claim

Our specialist No Win No Fee* solicitors will then manage the entire claim from start to finish, helping you get the justice and compensation you deserve

How can First4Lawyers help?

Putting together a claim can be a daunting prospect, and we understand that. We are here to listen to your situation, advise you of the options and then guide you through the process of your spinal injury compensation claim.

Our expert team have many years’ experience and will listen to your case with sympathy and understanding. We offer a No Win No Fee* service, so you don't have to fund any upfront costs – and your initial chat with us is absolutely free.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Where we offer No Win No Fee services typically customers pay 25% of the amount recovered by our solicitors, although this will be subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be less than this but it will never be more. Success fees are common practice and they were introduced when the law changed in April 2013.

First4Lawyers are an award winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.

How much compensation could I receive for a spinal injury?

The amount of claim compensation is calculated on the severity of your spinal injury, any permanent disability or impairment and factors including:

  • The pain and suffering you have been through
  • The severity of the damage to your back or spine
  • Time taken off work
  • Loss of income and future earnings
  • Any long-term effects on your everyday life
  • Alteration and equipment that may be required to improve your quality of life.

Judicial College Guidelines 'general damages' awards for severe back injury can range from £34,000 to £141,150, but it very much depends on your individual case. 

Is there a time limit for making a spinal injury claim?

Most personal injury claims should be started within three years of the accident or injury, but there are some exceptions. For children, the limit extends from the date of the accident until the child is aged 18, at which point the three-year time limit begins. If a person is mentally incapable of making decisions then there is no time limit.

Our specialist advisers can talk you through it in a clear, no-jargon manner, based on your individual circumstances.

I think I have a claim, what do I do next?

Just get in touch for a free initial consultation using our online claim form. We'll be in touch shortly to ask you about your case and go through your options, as well as our No Win No Fee* services. 

There is no obligation to proceed with us – it is completely up to you.

Get in touch today - we can help with your claim 08005677866
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Frequently asked questions

Can I call you for free advice?

Yes, our team of friendly experts are more than happy to help, and will answer any questions you have regarding a claim, even if you’re unsure whether you’re eligible.

Contact us for a free and confidential discussion.

How long will a claim take?

The length of time it will take to make your claim depends on your individual circumstances.

Every case is different, so it’s very difficult to say at the early stages how long the process will be from start to finish.

Once your solicitor has completed their initial investigations into your case, they will be in a better position to advise you on how long the process is likely to take.

To give you a very general idea:

  • For a personal injury claim like minor whiplash, for example, the process could be completed in about six months. But in more complex cases, such as claims involving a trip, slip or fall, it could take over a year to be settled. The process could also be longer if the defendant disputes your claim.

  • Claiming for a work accident could be between six and nine months. But if the injury is more severe, or there are legal complexities, it could take longer.

  • Medical negligence cases tend to take longer as they can be complex with multiple factors and evidence.  A rough estimate would be 18-26 months.

You can contact one of our advisors to discuss your situation.

More about making a claim

Can I make a claim online?

Yes, you can start your claim online or by calling us on the number at the top of the screen.

After entering a few details into our simple form, one of our advisors will call you back to discuss your claim.

When completing the form, just give a brief description of your accident, including details on what happened and when, if you were injured in the accident and what your injuries were. This helps us to understand the nature of your accident, so that we will be able to advise you on the most appropriate next steps for you.

We’ll also need a few contact details, including your full name, telephone number and an alternative telephone number (in case we’re unable to reach you). You can also include your email address, if you’d prefer us to email you with further details.

Let us know what time it’s best for us to call you back. We know it’s not always convenient for you to talk, so we'll call at that scheduled time when you'll be expecting us.

Making a claim online will help to save you time and will ensure that you receive a phone call back from us as soon as possible. During the call, we will ask you a few questions about your accident and advise you if you’re eligible to make a claim, and if so, what you can do next.

Start your claim online now

How do I know whether I have a claim?

That's what we're here for! 

If you’ve had an accident and you’re not sure if you’re eligible to claim, then call us through the number at the top of the screen and speak to one of our specialist advisors.

We will give you free advice regarding your case and advise you on the potential of your claim, without obligation.

We believe in working honestly and with integrity – we don’t believe in raising expectations and we don’t encourage false claims.

To be eligible to make a compensation claim, there are three key conditions that your case will need to meet:

  • Your accident must have taken place during the last three years. Please note: different rules apply to industrial disease, medical negligence and criminal injury claims, or if you were under 18 when the accident happened.  We will advise accordingly in each of these cases.
  • There must be a person or organisation who is at fault for your accident.
  • Your injuries will have required medical treatment.

If you have any questions, or are unsure if your case meets these requirements, give us a call or complete our online claim form and we'll be in touch shortly.

Can I be compensated for losses as well as my injury?

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation for losses other than your personal injury.

A personal injury claim is split into two parts: general damages and special damages.

  • General damages are paid for the pain and suffering and emotional distress from your physical injury.
  • Special damages relate to damaged belongings or financial losses resulting from the injury.

 

Will I have to attend a medical?

Yes, you’ll need to have a medical examination to make a personal injury claim.

It's to provide proof that your injury was caused by the accident and to allow your solicitors to value your claim.

Can I claim if my accident happened while I was abroad?

Yes, you can still claim if you had an accident while abroad.  But it can be more complex due to varying laws in other countries.

Accidents abroad are very common and can happen to anyone. Some of the most common accidents can include things such as suffering food poisoning from the hotel restaurant, slipping on a wet floor in a hotel or tripping over on a poorly-maintained footpath.

Other scenarios you may be able to claim compensation for include: sport-related accidents from using damaged, faulty or poorly-maintained equipment, sustaining an injury during an arranged excursion and road traffic accidents (including accidents when travelling as a passenger in a car, coach or taxi).

Those who booked their trip with a travel agent or as part of a package holiday are more likely to be able to claim against the travel company once returning to the UK, as opposed to the services used abroad (such as a hotel or restaurant).

At First4Lawyers, we work with solicitors who are experienced in making claims for accidents that have happened abroad, for people who were either on holiday or travelling on a business trip. Contact us for a no-obligation chat.

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If the solicitor doesn't win your case, you don't pay a penny. It's as simple as that! (Duration - 1:20)

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