Neck injury claims

Types of neck injury

The back of your neck includes the cervical spine, which is made up of seven bones called vertebrae, separated by discs. Muscles and ligaments surround the cervical spine, giving it support.

There are many types of neck injury, ranging from minor and moderate to severe, including:

• Whiplash – generally muscle and ligament damage (musculoligamentous) or, more rarely, spinal injury
• Cervical sprain, strain and soft tissue damage in the neck
• Damage to nerves in the neck, also called cervical radiculopathy
• Broken or dislocated neck - cracked and damaged vertebrae, classed as a serious injury and can cause paralysis
• Soft tissue damage and ruptured tendons
• Slipped or damaged discs – can be due to heavy lifting, falling objects or pressure on the neck

Causes can vary greatly, but may include:

• Car and motorcycle accidents
• Accident at work, such as a fall from height, or falling objects
• Slips, trips and falls
• Surgical negligence or misdiagnosis
• Lifting or carrying heavy loads
• Sports injury

Why should I make a neck injury claim?

Injuries to your neck can be extremely painful, not to mention debilitating and tiring.  You may require ongoing treatment, such as physiotherapy, as part of your rehabilitation.  Pain relief, hospital visits, time off work – it all adds up.  A neck injury settlement amount can help pay for the medical costs and loss of earnings, just making things a little easier while you concentrate on your recovery.

Bear in mind also that, if your injury was a result of an accident at work, your employer has a duty of care to ensure your safety in the workplace. Making a claim might just improve the working environment, making sure your accident doesn’t happen to anyone else.

How can First4Lawyers help?

We have experienced advisers who will chat you through the claims process, making sure you’re put in touch with a specialist solicitor, who will be with you every step of the way.  We do all the hard work, so it takes the pressure off you.

The severity of neck injuries can vary greatly, we’ll make sure your injury is correctly assessed and presented to ensure the best outcome for you.

How much compensation will I receive for a neck injury claim?

It will very much depend on your individual injury and circumstances, but generally neck injuries are separated into:

• Mild – such as soft tissue damage, whiplash and injuries where full recovery is expected. Claim amounts in this category can be up to £6,920.
• Moderate – some fractures and dislocation, or injuries that can worsen an existing condition, or cause prolonged symptoms. Awards can go up to £33,750.
• Severe – often classed as serious injury, with lasting damage, loss of movement, disability or paralysis can see figures of up to £130,060.
  Neck injury leading to paralysis of the lower part of your body (paraplegia) and paralysis from the neck down (quadriplegia) can lead to claim settlements between £192,000 and £354,000.

Claims take into considerations factors like:

• The severity of your injury
• Pain and suffering endured
• Costs of medical treatment and any ongoing care requirements
• Loss of income due to time off work
• Whether it has affected your ability to do your job
• Whether your mobility is permanently affected – and the impact it will have on your lifestyle
• Any changes you may need to make to your home, as a result of your injury.

Are there time limits for making neck injury claims?

The normal time limit for making a neck injury claim is three years from the date of the. But there are a few exceptions to this rule. If the person injured is mentally incapable of making their own decisions, there is no time limit for claiming. If the claimant is a child, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18^th birthday.

Our advisers will be able to take you through the options, based on your individual circumstances so just call us for a free initial chat, or request a callback at the top of the screen.

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

If you’d like to find out whether you have a neck injury claim, just get in touch using our online claim form. Or get us to call you at a convenient time, using the ‘Request a callback’ option at the top of the screen. There is no obligation to take it any further, and our phone consultation is totally free. We will listen to your case and talk you through your options and our No Win No Fee service.