What's Involved with Spinal Injury Claims
The spine, also known as the spinal or vertebral column, acts as the central support for the body and protects the nerves and spinal cord. The spinal cord itself is about eighteen inches long and connects the base of the brain to the waist through the centre of the spine. Nerve impulses are carried along the cord to the other parts of the body. Damage to the spine and the spinal cord can often result in loss of function, be it motion or feeling in the related portion of the body. In general the higher on the spinal column the injury is, the greater the likelihood of functional loss.
Spinal injuries can result from a wide variety of accidents. A road traffic accident can involve injuries ranging from minor whiplash to major spinal injuries, depending on the speed of the crash, whether any other vehicles were involved and the direction of the impact. (Impacts to the front or side of the vehicle tend to generate more spinal injuries than rear impacts do.) A slip, trip or fall at work, particularly if the fall was from a fair height and ended in an awkward landing position, can often result in an injury to the spinal column.
Such injuries can have a devastating effect on your health, lifestyle, and financial circumstance, particularly when they impact your means of earning an income due to long term or even permanent damage. Injuries are typically classified as complete - no function or feeling below the point of injury - or incomplete - limited function or feeling below the point of injury.
Compensation awarded for a successful spinal injury claim usually takes into account, not only the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the injury (and the initial costs so associated) but also any future losses that you may incur such as rehabilitation costs, nursing care, disability aids or specialist equipment. Transport costs and the cost of having your house modified to suit your new range of needs are also considered. The damages awarded in such a case would also need to take into account any future lost earnings if you are unable to return to work.
An experienced solicitor knows that a spinal injury claim can be extremely complex and will consider a wide variety of issues that may impact the final resolution, including:
- How your injury will affect you and your family
- How your injury will affect your ability to earn a living
- What special types of ongoing personal care you may require as a result of the injury
- Whether the injury is temporary or permanent
- How your injury will affect your hobbies and activities and what special requirements you may have in order to carry on doing what you enjoy most
- What types of modification to your accommodation or specialist equipment you will need such as handrails, a lift or a wheelchair
- What types of ongoing medical treatment and therapies you will need to make as complete a recovery as possible from your injury?
Due to the complexities involved in the claims process, as well as the seriousness of the extent of the injuries involved, it is always a good idea to seek competent legal assistance at the earliest possible time when deciding whether or not to file a spinal injury compensation claim.