Spinal Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury, you are aware of how much life can change. Using the NHS’s own statistics, as well as data from other countries, the charities estimate that the number of people injured or diagnosed with a life-changing spinal cord injury in the UK is 2,500 per year, whilst the total number of people living with a spinal cord injury in the UK is 50,000. Spinal injuries can be a result of medical negligence from treatment or surgery, a road traffic accident, or sporting injuries, they can also vary depending on the location of damage and the severity of damage.

Unfortunately, spinal injuries can have devastating effects and leave the injured person paralysed and dependent on others. Spinal injuries can also affect other bodily functions such as bladder control, fertility and sexual functioning, respiratory issues and mobility.

The symptoms of a spinal cord injury are different depending on exactly which part of the spinal cord has been damaged and the severity of this. Symptoms may include problems with movement (paralysis), sensation (inability to feel hot or cold) and sometimes difficulty with bladder or bowel control.

In the context of medical negligence, spinal injuries can be caused in a multitude of ways;

• Infection entering the spinal canal

• Delay in diagnosis and surgery of cauda equina syndrome

• Injury sustained during spinal surgery or procedure

• Missed fractures of the neck and back

• Errors and failure in suitably handling patients with neck and back injuries

• Failure to inform patient

If you think your spinal injury has been caused by medical negligence, speak to one of our experts at P.A.Duffy & Co Solicitors for advice on making a compensation claim.

Starting Your Claim

Individuals in Northern Ireland have three years to claim from the date of discovery of medical negligence that resulted in spinal injury. The amount of time it takes to make a claim will depend on the seriousness of your injuries. In Republic of Ireland, individuals have 2 years to start a claim. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will also be depend on the severity of your injuries and their impact on other aspects of your life. Due to these time constraints, it is important you speak to us as soon as possible as we will need to gather medical evidence in support of your compensation claim. This evidence will normally come from an independent medical expert such as a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic consultant.

Making a back and spinal injury claim can be a daunting prospect because these medical negligence cases take time to establish both the nature and extent of the injuries. It also takes time to get an admission of liability by whoever was at fault. The primary aim of P.A.Duffy & Co will be to support you and your family by getting all the help, medical treatment and rehabilitation you might need to speed up your recovery.