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How Much Compensation For Spinal Cord Injury Claims?
Learn about spinal cord injury claims, the amount of compensation that you could receive and how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you to proceed.
£85 million in compensation
How Much Compensation For Spinal Cord Injury Claims?
Learn about spinal cord injury claims, the amount of compensation that you could receive and how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you to proceed.
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Last Updated 18th November 2025. In order to claim compensation, your spinal cord injury must result from another person failing to follow the legal guidance in place to protect you. Damage to your spinal cord can result in a life changing injury. You may find it difficult to go about your daily activities, such as work and leisure time. Spinal cord injury claims can help those injured to move forward with their lives. When a claimant receives compensation, they can regain their financial losses and focus on recovery.
We will explain what makes you eligible to start a personal injury claim and examine the different types of injury that you could claim for. Additionally, we will look at the common causes of spinal injuries, covering accidents in a public place, workplace or on the road. Furthermore, we detail the average compensation levels for such personal injury claims. You can also read about the claim process and the excellent services that our specialist solicitors offer.
Additionally, you can contact our team of expert advisors for free legal advice at any time. We understand that starting a spinal injury compensation claim can seem daunting, so they can break down the process for you and explain the eligibility criteria in further detail. If they confirm that you are eligible, they could connect you to our No Win No Fee solicitors and put you on the path towards gaining spinal cord injury compensation. Get in touch:
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Complete our contact webform
Who Is Eligible To Make Spinal Cord Injury Claims?
All spinal cord injury claims must include the following:
- A person or organisation who owed a duty of care
- Their failure to act upon their duty
- An injury suffered as a consequence
A duty of care refers to the responsibility of a party to follow legislation which aims to protect people’s health and safety. We will provide examples where you are owed a duty and detail the relevant legislation in a later section.
Alternatively, you can contact our team of specialist advisors. They can confirm whether you are eligible to proceed to one of our spinal injury solicitors and answer any queries you may have.
Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury happens when the spinal cord is damaged in a way that interrupts the signals that travel between the brain and the rest of the body. The effects vary depending on where along the spine the injury occurs and whether the damage is partial or complete. Spinal cord injuries are classified by both level and severity, and these factors play a major role in a person’s long-term health, mobility and independence.
Complete And Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
- Complete spinal cord injury
A complete injury means there is no motor or sensory function below the level of the injury. This often results in permanent paralysis affecting movement, sensation and various bodily functions. - Incomplete spinal cord injury
With an incomplete injury, some movement or sensation remains. The level of preserved function can vary considerably. Some people retain limited use of limbs, while others may recover a greater degree of movement with rehabilitation.
Levels Of Spinal Cord Injury
The spine is divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions. Where the spinal cord is injured determines which parts of the body are affected.
- Cervical injuries (neck)
These are the most serious. They may lead to tetraplegia, affecting the arms, torso and legs. Breathing can also be impaired in higher-level cervical injuries. - Thoracic injuries (upper and mid-back)
These typically affect the torso and legs. Arm and hand function is usually unaffected. - Lumbar injuries (lower back)
These often affect leg movement, mobility and control of bladder and bowel function, depending on the exact level. - Sacral injuries (base of spine)
These can impact bladder, bowel and sexual function and may cause weakness in the hips and legs.
Bodily Functions That May Be Affected
A spinal cord injury can result in a wide range of functional losses, including:
- Loss of movement and muscle control in limbs
- Reduced or absent sensation, including touch, temperature and pain
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Reduced or removed sexual function
- Breathing difficulties in higher-level injuries
- Reduced balance, coordination and mobility
- Chronic pain or neuropathic pain
The severity and pattern of symptoms depend entirely on the level and completeness of the injury. This classification is crucial for understanding the person’s long-term needs, future care requirements and the potential value of a spinal cord injury claim. To have your claim valued, please speak to an advisor.
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Common Causes Of Spinal Cord Injury Claims
In this section, we will look at the common causes of spinal cord injury claims. We include the relevant legislation and provide examples of scenarios in which you could claim compensation.
Road Traffic Accidents
All road users owe a duty of care to eachother. This means they must follow the advice and regulations outlined by the Highway Code and legislation, such as the Road Traffic Act 1988. These rules outline how to use the roads in a way that is safe for other people. Examples of road accidents you could claim compensation for include:
- You cross the road at a designated crossing as the traffic lights are on red. However, a driver does not stop at the red light and runs into you. You suffer nerve damage to your spinal cord due to this pedestrian accident.
- While you are cycling on the road, a drunk driver swerves and knocks you off your bike. You land on your back and suffer paralysis to your lower limbs in a bicycle accident.
If you have experienced a similar incident, you could be eligible to start a road traffic accident claim.
Public Liability
The Occupier’s Liability Act 1957 also dictates that you are owed a duty of care in a public place. An occupier is a person or organisation responsible for a space, such as a manager. They must take the necessary steps to ensure the reasonable safety of all visitors. For example:
- You suffer a spinal cord injury when using faulty machinery at the in a gym accident. The manager of the gym did not perform regular checks on the equipment.
- You experience an accident in a bar when you slip and trip on the wet floor. There was no wet floor sign in place to warn you of the hazard.
You could start a compensation claim if you have experienced an accident in a public place.
Workplace Accidents
While working, the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 protects you. This requires your employer to take reasonable steps to preserve your well-being and safety in the workplace. This is upheld by the Health and Safety Executive, which is a public body. Workplace instances you could start a personal injury claim for include:
- You suffer an injury to your spinal cord while operating a forklift. Your manager instructed you to use it despite not providing adequate training.
- While working in an office, you trip over wires that should have been tied down and kept out of the way. Your back hits the corner of a table as you fall, resulting in paralysis to your upper limbs.
In such situations, you could start a spinal injury claim for an accident at work. If you have any queries about the different types of accident claims, please get in touch with our advisors.
Average Compensation Payouts for Spinal Cord Injury Claims In The UK
Knowing the average compensation awarded for spinal cord injury claims would not be of any benefit to you or your case. This is due to the fact that each compensation claim is assessed individually, so an average would not be useful for your expectations.
However, you can refer to the figures in the table below provided by the Judicial College Guidelines. These pair compensation values with various types and severities of injury. Please be advised that you should only refer to the figures as a guide; they do not provide a guarantee for how much compensation you could receive.
Additionally, if you would like an estimate for your spinal injury claim, why not contact an advisor? They can account for the varied aspects of your claim, allowing them to provide a more accurate figure. You can also keep reading this section to learn the different factors your compensation could cover.
The first entry in the table below was not provided by the JCG.
| Type Of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with financial losses | Severe | Up to £5,000,000+ | A combination of serious injuries and their associated financial costs, including lost wages, home modifications and domestic support |
| Paralysis | Tetraplegia/Quadriplegia | £396,140 to £493,000 | Injured person has complete awareness of the disability with a life expectancy of 25 years or more. Level of compensation is assessed on individual factors, such as associated depression |
| Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 | Assessment of compensation includes amount of pain suffered, degree of independence and life expectancy | |
| Shorter durations | £60,210 | Covers young adults where deaths happens within around two years after injury | |
| Back | Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Damage to spinal cord and nerve roots. Severe disability and impaired bodily functioning |
| Severe (ii) | £90,510 to £107,910 | Damage to nerve root, resulting in impaired mobility and bodily functions | |
| Moderate (i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | Bracket includes irritation to nerve root and reduced mobility | |
| Moderate (ii) | £15,260 to £33,880 | Claimant experiences backache and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions | |
| Minor (i) | £9,630 to £15,260 | Full or near full recovery without surgery in about two to five years | |
| Minor (ii) | £5,310 to £9,630 | Full recovery within on to two years without the need for surgery |
How Is Compensation Calculated?
Spinal cord injury compensation is calculated by considering the severity of your pain and suffering, as well as any related financial losses.
The first part of your claim is known as ‘general damages‘ and this is what compensates for your physical pain, mental suffering and the way in which your injury affects your daily existence (‘loss of amenity‘). We showed you how general damages are calculated in the previous section.
However, some claimants are also entitled to special damages to compensate for any financial losses stemming from their injuries. In order to qualify for special damages, you will need to submit evidence of your losses with your claim. We strongly advise that you maintain copies of your payslips, bank statements, receipts, invoices and any other items you have that prove your expenses.
One of our advisors can discuss what you can save to prove these costs. We look at examples of special damages in the next section.
Can I Claim An Interim Payment?
Yes, you can claim an interim payment. This is a payment that will be deducted from your settlement. It is given early to cover your immediate needs, such as mortgage payments and medical care, when your claim looks like it will settle in your favour, or the defendant has admitted liability.
A solicitor can tell you more about interim payments and help you apply for one. Speak to an advisor for more information about claiming an interim payment.
Special Damages And How They Affect Your Claim
How special damages affect your claim will depend on what expenses you can prove and how high these were. They will vary from claim to claim, especially so with spinal injuries.
Short-Term Needs For Minor Spinal Injuries
Even claimants with short-term needs to cope with a minor injury may incur expenses. You could recover:
- Loss of earnings and pension contributions for time taken off to recover.
- Rehabilitation needs, such as helping you walk following an injury.
- Mobility aids – these could range from a walking stick to a wheelchair.
- Transport costs if you can’t drive your vehicle while recovering.
- Painkillers and other prescriptions.
- Domestic help, such as hiring a cleaner and someone to help with children.
Long Term Medical Needs And Other Costs
Some claimants will have long-term medical needs and incur extra costs. In addition to the above items, claimants can recover:
- Money spent on nursing care, whether that is a nurse coming in once each day to see to medical needs or an inpatient facility.
- Caring costs – this can be for professional carers or for friends and family.
- Home modifications. Money spent on adapting your home to accommodate a new disability can be recovered, including costs towards a wet room, railings, stairlift, hoist and changing the height of cabinetry.
- Vehicle adaptations or a new car. This can be for your personal vehicle if you can still drive, or for a family member to have adaptations made to their car.
- Future loss of earnings if you cannot return to work or will be able to return to work in the same capacity as prior to your spinal cord injury.
- Miscellaneous medical needs. This can cover past, present and future costs.
Regardless of the severity of your injury, you may have incurred other losses. The best way to find out if these could be recovered as part of a spinal cord injury claim is to speak to a member of the advisory team. They can also advise you on which evidence to save.
How To Claim For A Spinal Injury
Here, we explain the process for spinal cord injury claims. This involves the collection of evidence, time limits and the services our expert solicitors offer to help you gain compensation. Keep reading to find out more.
The Evidence You’ll Need
You will need to provide evidence in order to strengthen your personal injury claim and prove that you should be compensated. Evidence could include:
- A copy of your medical records
- Pay slips and bank statements
- CCTV footage or photos of the incident/injury
- Accident reports (this could apply to injuries suffered in a public place or workplace) or police reports if the incident occurred in a road traffic accident
Time Limits And How Long Spinal Cord Injury Claims Take
Typically, spinal cord injury claims must begin within three years from the date of injury. However, there are exceptions for claimants who are:
- Under the age of eighteen
- Lacking the mental capacity to handle a claim on their own
You can get in touch with our team of advisors to check the time limit for your spinal injury claim.
Case Studies On Spinal Injury Claims
We’ve included a few example case studies* on spinal injury claims.
£5 Million Compensation For A Spinal Cord Injury
Mr A was awarded £5 million compensation after suffering a spinal cord injury to his neck that left him completely paralysed from the injury point down. His neck injury occurred in a motorbike accident. A speeding drunk driver weaved in and out of traffic and struck Mr A’s motorcycle, knocking him off his bike and breaking his neck during the landing.
Whilst in hospital, Mr A contacted a solicitor who agreed to take on his spinal cord injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis. Once the case was decided in Mr A’s favour, his solicitor applied for interim payments to transfer him to a private rehabilitation facility and adapt his home for when he was discharged.
Overall, Mr A was awarded £5 million in compensation for his spinal cord injury. This included loss of earnings as he would be unable to return to his previous job role as a builder as well as other special damages. It included a sum for his physical pain and psychological distress following the accident and injury.
£1 Million Payout for An Accident At Work
Ms S was awarded £1 million in damages for an accident at work. Her employer was meant to maintain the staircase leading to the toilets. However, they failed to replace a broken railing and the lighting was poor. As a result, she tripped and when trying to steady herself, the railing fell away. She landed at the bottom of the staircase, suffering an incomplete spinal cord injury. This left her partially paralysed below the waist.
She contacted a solicitor who helped her secure a £1 million payout that covered £200,000 in general damages, with the rest made up of special damages. Her special damages payment covered her rehabilitative care and the nursing she required during recovery. She also spent a considerable time out of work.
To discuss your situation and find out if a spinal cord injury solicitor can help you secure the compensation you deserve, speak to one of our advisors now.
How JF Law’s Solicitors Can Support Your Claim
Personal injury claims can seem complicated from the outside. However, our experienced solicitors can support your claim for compensation by:
- Handling communication with the defendant on your behalf
- Negotiating your compensation to cover your losses fully
- Confirming that your claim meets the necessary time limit (as discussed previously)
- Helping your understanding of the legal process and explaining any terms you are unsure of
Additionally, they can offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This No Win No Fee contract means that you do not need to worry about paying fees for your solicitor’s work:
- Before the start of your spinal cord injury claim
- While the claim is underway
- If you do not receive personal injury compensation
You must pay a success fee if you receive compensation as an outcome of your claim. This is a legally capped percentage that your solicitor deducts from your compensation. You will receive most of the money to keep for yourself.
Finally, if you are still uncertain about starting a spinal injury claim, you can talk it through with one of our advisors. They can resolve any queries and potentially connect you to our solicitors so that you can benefit from the services we have listed:
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Complete our contact webform
More Information
You can visit our other guides:
- Learn about claiming for back injuries
- Find out how to claim for back injuries at work
- Read about brain injury claims
Check out these external resources:
- Take a look at this worker’s guide to health and safety from the HSE.
- Follow the government’s advice on claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Review the NHS guidance on back pain
Thank you for reading our guide to spinal cord injury claims. *Please note that the example case studies are illustrative.
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