Compensation for spinal injuries

If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help you make a spinal injury compensation claim with a No Win No Fee service.

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Spinal Injury Claims

Spinal injuries can have a serious impact on your health, mobility and quality of life. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a spinal injury claim for compensation.

Spinal injuries can be caused by a wide range of accidents, including accidents at work, road traffic collisions, criminal assaults and trips and falls. These can range from ligament sprains and herniated discs to life-changing injuries of the spinal cord.

We work in partnership with spinal injury solicitors who are highly experienced in dealing with these types of injury claims.

For a free initial assessment, enter your details into our contact form or call 0800 470 0474 to speak to a friendly legal adviser. This conversation is an opportunity to discuss your situation and ask any questions you may have about the legal process, without any obligation to proceed.

Key points about spinal cord injury claims

Can I make a claim?
If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence — in a crash, fall, or medical incident — you may be eligible to claim.
Who is at fault?
The liable party could be an employer, driver, medical provider, or business that failed in their duty of care.
Is there a deadline?
You normally have 3 years from the injury or date of knowledge to begin legal proceedings.
What could I receive?
Compensation is based on the severity of the injury, long-term care needs, loss of earnings, and other financial expenses.
Will I get a no win, no fee service?
Yes, your solicitor will work on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay a fee if you win compensation.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

Call 0800 470 0474 now or request a call back below:

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

Am I eligible to make a spinal injury compensation claim?

If you suffered a spinal injury that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. The easiest way to find out if you have a valid case is by requesting a free consultation with a specialist spinal injury solicitor.

They will determine if there are sufficient grounds to proceed by assessing whether:

The defendant owed you a duty of care.
They have breached this duty by acting negligently.
Their negligence caused an accident.
You suffered spine damage as a result.

During your case review, your solicitor will also be able to tell you how likely it is that you have a successful claim and how much compensation you may be entitled to claim.

Who is liable for compensation in spinal injury cases?

The party whose negligence caused you to experience spinal injuries may be liable to pay compensation. Based on the circumstances of your accident, this could be:

An employer in breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
A driver or another road user who caused a road accident by breaking the Road Traffic Act 1988.
A property owner responsible for unsafe premises under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
A manufacturer who sold a faulty product may be liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
A medical professional if your injury was due to medical negligence, such as a surgical error.

A specialist personal injury lawyer will identify the liable party and help you gather the evidence you need to start a spinal injury claim against them.

What is the time limit to make a spinal cord injury claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you usually have a three-year time limit from the date of your accident or date of knowledge to start a spinal injury compensation claim. After this period, you may be time-barred from claiming compensation, which can be disastrous if you have suffered a severe injury to your spine.

Exceptions to the three-year time limit include:

Children – A child injury claim can be made at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
Mental capacity – The limitation period is suspended if the claimant lacks the mental capacity to start legal proceedings.
Criminal assaults – There is a 2-year time limit to start a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

How much spinal injury compensation can I claim?

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to claim will depend on the severity and impact of your spinal injury. The greater the impact on your daily life and the more severe your symptoms, the larger the compensation award is likely to be.

Your compensation award will include pain and suffering (general damages) and related financial losses and expenses (special damages), such as:

Physical pain and suffering.
Physical and mental disability.
Loss of enjoyment of life.
Loss of earnings and earning capacity.
Medical expenses and aids.
Costs of care and assistance with daily tasks.

Examples of spinal injury compensation payments

According to the guidelines published by the Judicial College, you could receive the following compensation for a spinal injury:

Injury Type	Average Payout
Cervical fractures and dislocations causing temporary limitations	£30,500 to £46,970
Disc lesions or fractures causing ongoing pain and some mobility issues	£30,910 to £55,590
Nerve root damage leading to loss of sensation and mobility or impaired bowel and bladder function	£59,120 to £171,680
Severe fractures or spinal disk damage in the cervical spine	£52,390 to £104,370
Cases of paralysis with a life expectancy of under 2 years	£60,210
Severe injuries to nerve roots leading to incomplete paralysis	£111,150 to £196,450
Spinal cord damage leading to incomplete paraplegia	Around £181,020
Very serious injuries leading to paraplegia	£267,340 to £346,890
Catastrophic injuries causing quadriplegia	£396,140 to £493,000

Your solicitor will be dedicated to helping you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to claim. If you want to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back.

How do I make a claim for spinal injury?

If you are suffering from a spinal injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can take the following steps to make a claim for compensation:

A free case assessment – An expert spinal injury solicitor will offer you a free case review to assess your eligibility and explain your legal options.
Gathering evidence – If you can proceed, your solicitor will help collect all the necessary evidence to claim personal injury compensation.
Submitting your claim – Your solicitor will send an official letter of claim to the defendant, outlining your case and the compensation you seek.
Negotiations – If liability is admitted, a settlement will be negotiated with the defendant’s insurer.
Court proceedings – If negotiations fail, your solicitor will be ready to issue court proceedings.
Compensation – If your claim is successful, compensation will typically be paid as a lump sum.

Do spinal injury solicitors offer a No Win No Fee service?

Yes. The expert spinal injury lawyers we work with offer a no win no fee service. Under this arrangement, you do not have to pay any fees to start the spinal damage claims process or if your case is unsuccessful.

Your lawyer will take on the risk of litigation and will only receive a success fee if you win the claim. This fee is agreed beforehand and will be deducted from your compensation award (capped at 25%).

What evidence do I need to support a spinal cord injury claim?

To support a spinal or back injury claim, you will need to gather various types of evidence to demonstrate the cause and extent of the damage, as well as its impact on your life, such as:

Photographs or videos of the accident scene.
Details of other vehicles and road users involved in a road traffic accident.
CCTV or camera phone footage from the scene, if available.
Contact details of any witnesses who can support your version of the events.
Medical records detailing your injury, diagnostic tests and treatment plans.
Expert medical reports providing a prognosis for recovery and future care needs.
Accident reports from work or other third parties.
A police report if you were the victim of a violent assault.
Documents proving the financial losses you have suffered.

Your solicitor will help you gather everything that is needed to start your spinal injury claim and negotiate a fair compensation settlement.

Frequently asked questions

A spinal injury refers to damage to the bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column, the spinal cord inside the vertebrae, or the surrounding tissues. This can cause symptoms ranging from pain and limited mobility to paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of bowel and bladder control.

The severity of a spinal injury is mainly determined by its cause:

Minor to mild injuries, such as sprains and slipped discs, may be due to hazardous manual handling or poor posture.
Moderate trauma, such as compression or fractures, can result from a lower-force impact in a car crash, sports accident, or fall.
Damage to the spinal cord involves significant force, such as in a high-impact road traffic accident, workplace accident, or fall from a height.

According to the Spinal Injuries Association, 105,000 people are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the UK, and 4,700 new people are diagnosed with a SCI each year.

Some of the most common types of spinal injuries that solicitors deal with include:

Herniated discs – A bulging or ruptured spinal disc that presses on nearby nerves, causing pain, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs.
Spinal fractures – Breaks or cracks in the vertebrae that may cause severe back pain, limited mobility, numbness or weakness.
Soft tissue injuries – Injuries to spinal muscles, tendons, or ligaments causing pain, inflammation, and limited mobility, such as in whiplash injuries.
Spinal cord injuries – Temporary or permanent damage to the nerves that run inside the vertebrae, causing partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and bowel/bladder control.

Spinal injury treatment depends on the type and severity of the damage and includes:

Emergency care to stabilise the patient and prevent further damage.
Surgery to stabilise the spine, remove bone fragments, or decompress the spinal cord.
Medication to address pain, inflammation and infections.
Psychological support to help manage emotional trauma.
Assistive devices, such as braces, walking aids or wheelchairs.
Physical and occupational therapy to regain function, mobility, and independence.
Lifestyle and home adaptations to support long-term mobility and independence.

The most common accidents leading to a spinal cord injury compensation claim include:

Road traffic accidents – A common cause of spinal cord injuries, especially to vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicycle riders.
Accidents at work – These can include manual handling accidents, falls from a height or machinery accidents.
Criminal assaults – Being punched, kicked, or hit with an object, or suffering a severe injury from a knife or gun.
Medical negligence – Surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, poorly treated infections, anaesthesia errors, and birth injuries.
Slips, trips and falls – Hitting your back or spine due to a fall caused by slippery surfaces, uneven flooring, potholes or debris.
Sports accidents – A claim can be made when these are caused by a lack of safety measures, faulty protective equipment or poor training.

If you suffered spinal injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a compensation claim.

Depending on the severity and location of the trauma, some of the long-term impacts of your injuries may include:

Chronic pain and mobility issues.
Partial or complete loss of movement and sensation.
Partial or complete paralysis.
Breathing difficulties.
Muscle weakness and atrophy.
Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Reduced independence.
The need for ongoing care and assistance.
Significant financial burdens.

Serious spinal injuries can increase the risk of developing secondary health issues, such as pressure sores, urinary tract infections and high blood pressure.

Many people worry that starting a legal case could cost them their job, but that is simply not the case. Unfair dismissal laws in the UK make it illegal for your employer to sack or treat you differently if you make a legitimate claim against them.

Your employer owes you a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and may be liable for harm resulting from a breach of duty, including for spinal injuries.

By nature, spine injury claims are more complex than other personal injury claims, especially if they involve long-term or permanent damage. While you could receive compensation for a minor injury within a few months, less straightforward cases can take several years to conclude.

Your solicitor will aim to settle your claim as quickly as possible and to secure interim payments on your behalf while the case is ongoing.

Yes. You could start a spinal cord injury claim on behalf of someone else who is a child under 18 or an adult who does not have the mental capacity to handle the claim themselves.

To claim compensation for a spinal injury on behalf of a loved one, you will need to act as their litigation friend.

Call 0800 470 0474 today to speak to an experienced legal adviser and find out if you can make a spine injury claim on a no win no fee basis. Alternatively, you can arrange a call back by entering your details into the claim form below.

Last edited on 16th Apr 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.