Spinal injuries can be particularly serious and can occur as a result of accidents. Whilst not all accidents are someone’s fault; there are those that are caused as a result of someone else’s negligence. Spinal injuries can have severe consequences for those involved as they can cause long-term pain, loss of mobility and in serious cases, even disability.

If you have experienced a spinal injury or your loved one is currently suffering, you may be entitled to compensation. If your injury is life-changing, you may require medical support, rehabilitation and help with financial losses, and this is where we come in.

Our expert solicitors are here to help and advise, offering support to anyone impacted by a spinal cord injury. Take a look below at some of the most commonly asked questions, and contact us today to find out more.

Spinal Cord Injury Causes

According to the Back Up Trust, around 2500 people in the UK experience a new spinal cord injury every year, with over 50,000 now living with it as part of their daily lives. In many instances, this can be a life-changing injury that can lead to a permanent loss of movement and sensation if not treated quickly enough.

There are many different causes of spinal cord injury. Most commonly, it occurs when the spine suffers sudden, blunt trauma, which can happen in a number of ways. Let’s take a closer look:

Car Accidents

Around 50% of all new spinal cords occur due to some kind of traffic accident such as motorbike or car accidents. This may be due to not wearing a seatbelt or could be the fault of another driver who may have been driving under the influence or speeding.

Injury Due To Violence

Severe trauma to the spine can also be caused by acts of violence, such as being a victim of a violent crime. This can include blunt force trauma or stabbings.

Serious Falls

For older people over the age of 65, one of the most common causes of spinal injury is slips, trips and falls which can occur when falling down the stairs or slipping on ice or water, amongst other things. If a person has fallen or tripped due to a spillage or tripping hazard, the building owner may be at fault and responsible for compensation.

Sporting Accidents

Sports that are high impact may also cause spinal injuries due to tough contact – such as rugby, American football or football. Additionally, sports such as gymnastics, cheerleading, and diving have been found to lead to spinal issues due to the pressure they can put on the body.

Tumours – Cancerous or Non-cancerous

Tumours around the spine may lead to a spinal injury as they may put pressure on it, causing pain, nerve issues and loss of movement.

Disease

Many diseases, conditions or infections can also lead to spinal cord injuries and can create inflammation within the spinal tissue. This can include conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and transverse myelitis, as well as diseases such as polio.

Can I Make A Claim If I Have Suffered A Spinal Cord Injury?

If you or someone you love has experienced a spinal cord injury, we can help. If the incident that led to your spinal cord injury may have been someone else’s fault, or if someone else was responsible for your safety, then you may be eligible to claim. It does not matter whether your injury was within the UK or abroad. Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injury that have been claimed for in the past include:

• Medical negligence
• Road traffic accidents
• Accidents in the workplace
• Injury as a result from a fall
• Criminal assault
• Accidents in public places
• Accidents related to the military

What Are The Time Limits For Making A Spinal Injury Compensation Claim?

Generally, in England and Wales, there is a three year time limit for making spinal injury claims. This is from the date when you first were injured. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the injured party is a child, they can claim any time up until the age of 21. Time limits may also be shorter if the injury happened overseas, so it is important to check this with a specialist solicitor.

Claims linked to crimes that are made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority have a shorter time limit – around 2 years. While if a person suffers a spinal injury that results in them not having the mental capacity to claim themselves or if they have a pre-existing learning disability, there is no time limit (as family members may need to complete the claim for them).

Even with these time limits, it is important to start your personal injury claims as soon as possible, as this gives you more time to compile evidence and access early compensation payments to help recuperate some financial loss.

How Long Will The Claims Process Take?

As you can imagine, spinal cord injury claims can be a complex process and therefore, it may take a few years for a final judgement to be made. This is because medical records will need to be looked at, the impact of your injury will need to be assessed, and you may need to finish any kind of rehabilitative treatment. This is necessary as it is important to determine what support you may need for the rest of your life so that your compensation reflects this.

As this is a long process, you may be able to get interim compensation payments throughout the time that your case is pending. This will only be possible if the company or person you are claiming against has already admitted that they are liable for your injury.

How Much Compensation Can You Get For Spinal Cord Injury Claims?

The amount of compensation that you are entitled to depends on your individual case. Injury compensation claims vary considerably depending on a number of different factors, including:

• Your pain levels
• The loss of earnings you experienced and may experience in the future
• Medical costs now and in the future
• The cost of rehabilitation and other support services
• Any adaptations or mobility aids you may require

Contact Us Today

Beacon Law are a leading firm of no win, no fee Solicitors, offering a range of personal injury claim services to our clients. We provide a high level of service to all our clients and work hard to ensure they receive the appropriate treatment and highest level of compensation for their injuries.

If your spinal injury was caused as a result of an accident that was not your fault, we will discuss your case and let you know if we think you have a claim. At Beacon law, we deal with a wide range of injury claims, including back pain, neck pain, brain injury etc.

If you are looking to find out more about starting a spinal injury claim, then contact us today contact us by calling 0330 1332 857 ;or use the contact forms on our website for some free, no-obligation legal advice. Our specialist team are on hand to support you throughout the process of making a claim and getting on with your life.

Beacon Law are a Solicitors registered in England and Wales, with our registered office based in Manchester. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.