Serious Injury · Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal Cord Injury Solicitors — Paralysis & Vertebral Injury Claims
If your spinal injury was caused by someone else, you can claim compensation — no win, no fee.
Specialist solicitors for paralysis, vertebral fracture and disc injury claims across England and Wales. Part of our Serious Injury Claims services.
You may be eligible to claim if: your injury was caused by a road accident, workplace accident, or another person's negligence — even if you were partly at fault.
No obligation — free initial assessment. No win, no fee.
Can I Claim Spinal Injury Compensation?
You can make a spinal cord injury compensation claim if your injury was caused — wholly or partly — by someone else's negligence. This includes road traffic accidents, accidents at work, and other incidents where a third party was at fault.
Road accidents
Car, motorcycle, cycling or pedestrian accidents where another driver was at fault
Workplace accidents
Falls from height, machinery accidents, or other incidents at work
Other incidents
Assaults, sporting accidents, or accidents in public places
Spinal injuries are among the most devastating injuries a person can sustain. Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, with profound consequences for every aspect of the injured person's life.
At PDA Law, our serious injury lawyers act for clients who have suffered spinal cord and vertebral injuries in a range of circumstances. We handle complex, high-value spinal injury compensation claims with the expertise and sensitivity they require.
Types of Spinal Injury We Handle
- Complete spinal cord injury — total loss of function below the injury level
- Incomplete spinal cord injury — partial loss of function below the injury level
- Paraplegia — paralysis of the lower body
- Tetraplegia / quadriplegia — paralysis of all four limbs
- Vertebral fractures and dislocations
- Disc injuries causing serious neurological symptoms
How Spinal Injuries Arise
Spinal injury compensation claims most commonly arise from:
The Long-Term Impact of Spinal Injury
Spinal injury claims must account for the full long-term impact, including:
- Long-term care and rehabilitation needs
- Specialist equipment — wheelchairs, hoists, adapted vehicles
- Home adaptations and accessible accommodation
- Loss of earnings — current and future
- Ongoing medical treatment and therapies
- Impact on relationships, independence and quality of life
What Compensation Covers
Spinal injury compensation claims can include two broad categories of loss:
General Damages
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of mobility and independence
- Psychological impact
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Special Damages
- Past and future care costs
- Loss of earnings (past and future)
- Specialist equipment and adapted vehicles
- Home adaptations and accessible accommodation
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
In catastrophic spinal injury cases — particularly tetraplegia — compensation is often structured as a Periodical Payment Order (PPO), providing regular, index-linked payments for ongoing care rather than a single lump sum.
Where a claimant receives means-tested benefits, a Personal Injury Trust can protect compensation from affecting benefit entitlement. We advise on this as part of your claim.
Judicial College Guidelines
What You May Be Entitled To
We understand that at this stage, understanding the potential value of your claim is important — both for peace of mind and for planning ahead. The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (16th Edition), the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales.
These figures cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. In serious injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Tetraplegia (quadriplegia)
£396,140 – £493,000
Complete loss of function in all four limbs; full-time care required
Paraplegia
£267,340 – £346,890
Loss of lower limb function; significant ongoing care and equipment needs
Severe back injury (i) — spinal cord damage
£111,150 – £196,450
Most severe back injuries with spinal cord damage
Severe back injury (ii) — nerve root damage
£90,510 – £107,910
Nerve root damage with significant complications
Severe back injury (iii) — disc lesions/fractures
£47,320 – £85,100
Disc lesions or fractures with chronic conditions and significant disability
Moderate back injury (i) — compression fractures
£33,880 – £47,320
Compression fractures with substantial disability
Moderate back injury (ii) — ligament disturbance
£15,260 – £33,880
Frequent back injuries with ligament disturbance
Minor back injury (recovery 2–5 years)
£9,630 – £15,260
Recovery expected within 2–5 years
Minor back injury (recovery 1–2 years)
£5,310 – £9,630
Recovery expected within 1–2 years
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) | £396,140 – £493,000 | Complete loss of function in all four limbs; full-time care required |
| Paraplegia | £267,340 – £346,890 | Loss of lower limb function; significant ongoing care and equipment needs |
| Severe back injury (i) — spinal cord damage | £111,150 – £196,450 | Most severe back injuries with spinal cord damage |
| Severe back injury (ii) — nerve root damage | £90,510 – £107,910 | Nerve root damage with significant complications |
| Severe back injury (iii) — disc lesions/fractures | £47,320 – £85,100 | Disc lesions or fractures with chronic conditions and significant disability |
| Moderate back injury (i) — compression fractures | £33,880 – £47,320 | Compression fractures with substantial disability |
| Moderate back injury (ii) — ligament disturbance | £15,260 – £33,880 | Frequent back injuries with ligament disturbance |
| Minor back injury (recovery 2–5 years) | £9,630 – £15,260 | Recovery expected within 2–5 years |
| Minor back injury (recovery 1–2 years) | £5,310 – £9,630 | Recovery expected within 1–2 years |
Your claim may be worth significantly more than the figures above.
Special damages — care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, equipment and home adaptations — are calculated individually and often substantially exceed the general damages figure. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a realistic, confidential assessment.
Source: Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 16th Edition. Figures are for general damages only and are subject to judicial discretion. Correct as at publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compensation
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“Following my spinal cord injury, Jonathan secured an interim payment that allowed me to get the specialist rehabilitation I needed. His expertise in serious injury claims made an enormous difference to my recovery.”
James W.
Paraplegia claimant, Cheshire
Testimonials reflect individual client experiences. Results may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
Interim Payments — Funds Before Settlement
Spinal injury claims can take time to resolve — particularly where the long-term prognosis is still evolving. You do not have to wait until settlement to receive financial support. Where liability is admitted or likely to be established, we can apply for an interim payment to fund immediate needs.
- Immediate rehabilitation at a specialist spinal injuries centre
- Wheelchair and specialist equipment
- Home adaptations to enable discharge from hospital
- Care costs and support workers
- Lost earnings during recovery
Securing early interim payments is a priority in every spinal injury case we handle. It can make a critical difference to the injured person's recovery and quality of life.
Rehabilitation & Early Support
Early rehabilitation in a specialist spinal injuries unit is critical to maximising recovery and long-term function. We work within the Rehabilitation Code and actively pursue early rehabilitation funding as a priority in every spinal injury case.
We work with specialist spinal injury case managers and rehabilitation coordinators who understand the particular challenges of spinal cord injury — from acute hospital care through to community reintegration.
Specialist spinal rehabilitation
Access to specialist spinal injury rehabilitation units and programmes
Case management
Experienced spinal injury case managers coordinating all aspects of care
Physiotherapy & hydrotherapy
Specialist physiotherapy to maximise mobility and function
Assistive technology
Assessment and provision of assistive technology and communication aids
How Our Serious Injury Lawyers Approach Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal injury claims require input from a range of specialist experts. Our serious injury lawyers instruct leading consultant spinal surgeons and rehabilitation medicine specialists to provide expert evidence on the nature and extent of the injury, the treatment required and the long-term prognosis.
We work with specialist care experts experienced in spinal cord injury to quantify the full cost of future care, case management and equipment. We also work with the Spinal Injuries Association and other specialist organisations to ensure our clients receive the best possible support.
We are transparent about costs and funding from the outset. Most spinal injury claims are funded on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win, no fee) basis, with After the Event insurance to protect against adverse costs.
We'll explain costs clearly before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim compensation for a spinal cord injury?
Yes — if your spinal injury was caused by someone else's negligence (a road accident, workplace accident, or other incident), you can make a compensation claim. We offer a free initial assessment to advise you on your prospects.
How much compensation can I get for a spinal cord injury?
Spinal injury compensation varies significantly depending on the severity of the injury. Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) claims can reach several million pounds when future care, equipment and loss of earnings are included. Paraplegia claims typically range from £250,000 to over £1 million. We will give you a realistic estimate once we have assessed your case.
How long do I have to make a spinal injury claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident (or from the date you became aware the injury was caused by negligence) to bring a claim. There are exceptions — for example, if the injured person lacks mental capacity, or if the injured person was a child at the time. Contact us as soon as possible to protect your position.
Can I claim on a no win no fee basis?
Yes. We handle spinal injury claims on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win no fee) basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee (capped at 25% of your damages) is deducted from your compensation.
What if I was partly to blame for my injury?
You may still be able to claim even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation would be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility — this is called contributory negligence. We will advise you on how this applies to your specific circumstances.
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Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Jonathan has over 10 years' specialist experience in complex personal injury, military claims, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. He has achieved multiple six-figure settlements in high-value cases.
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