Spinal injuries can occur in a variety of ways and are all too often life-changing. Where an injury results from the negligence or actions of another you may be able to bring a compensation claim. At Lester Aldridge, we offer real expertise in this area. We have particular experience of dealing with cases involving spinal injury and in obtaining high levels of compensation.

Where the spinal cord is crushed or severed there can be a complete loss of function below the level of injury.

Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete, which means that there is no sensation or movement below the level of injury; or they can be incomplete, which means there is partial sensation or movement below the injury. Either way, spinal injuries can be catastrophic and are life-changing.

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents are known to be a common cause of spinal injuries. Injuries are commonplace both for occupants and driver. A spinal injury is sadly life-changing and where the injury has resulted from the negligence of another person, a compensation claim may arise.

With access to first class accident reconstruction experts and extensive knowledge and experience in this area, we are well placed to take forward a successful compensation claim and to maximise the level of damages awarded.

Cycle Accidents

According to RoSPA, around 80% of cycling accidents occur in daylight which is when most cycling takes place. The most dangerous hours for cyclists are 3.00 to 6.00 p.m. and 8.00 to 9.00 a.m. on weekdays.

When a cycling accident is caused by another person you will be able to claim compensation for your injuries if you can show that they were responsible for the collision. A road accident can occur because of a number of reasons. Most accidents occur mainly because of someone’s negligence (drivers using a mobile phone, eating or drinking at the wheel, changing music in the car or to them being under the influence of alcohol or drug consumption while driving). Weather conditions can also play a part along with driver recklessness or even poor road maintenance.

Our personal injury solicitors (many of whom are cycle enthusiasts) are highly experienced in investigating and taking forward spinal injury compensation claims resulting from a cycle accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

According to The Police Foundation, In Great Britain in 2016, over 19,297 motorcyclists were injured in reported road accidents. From this, 319 bikers were killed and 5,553 were seriously injured.

The single most dangerous situation for motorcyclists occurs when cars are making turns. These collisions account for 42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and car. Usually, the turning car strikes the motorcycle when the motorcycle is going straight through a junction.

An analysis by Brake’s the Road Safety charity suggests that those on two wheels are significantly more vulnerable than car drivers. They are 34 times more likely to be killed and 63 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured, per mile travelled, on British roads.

With access to first class accident reconstruction experts and extensive knowledge and experience in this area, we are well placed to take forward a successful spinal injury compensation claim.

Accidents at Work

Your employer has a legal duty of care to ensure your health and safety in the workplace as far as reasonably possible.  This applies to working in an office, factory, or outside.

If you sustain an injury as a result of any negligence or wrongdoing on the part of your employer or any of their employees you are entitled to bring a personal injury claim for compensation .

Common accident at work claims may arise from:-

• Defective Equipment
• Inadequate Training and Supervision
• Lifting and manual handling injuries
• Slips, trip and falls at work
• Physical assault

It is important that you instruct a specialist personal injury solicitor at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure your best interests are protected.

Construction Site Accidents

Building sites can be busy, and especially dangerous places to work. It is imperative that sufficient health & safety precautions, together with relevant risk assessments in place to minimise the likelihood of accident and injury.

Some examples of the building site injuries and illnesses our specialists have dealt with include:

• Falls from height on scaffolding or platforms.
• Injuries from moving/falling objects.
• Manual handling injuries.
• Issues relating to lack of training or supervision.
• Defective tools or equipment.
• Chemical burns.

Accidents in the Armed Forces

Serving in HM Armed Forces (the British Army, Royal Navy, & Royal Airforce) is a true vocation, where servicemen and women, including reservists and Special Forces, are inevitably exposed to higher levels of danger and risk of injury or illness.

Injuries can occur from training, on exercise, or whilst off duty.  Compensation for both physical and psychological injury can be sought through government schemes such as the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (“AFCS”) or, in the case of a “crime of violence” via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (“CICA”).

The AFCS is a non-fault scheme, in that is does not require any proof of negligence or wrongdoing, only that an injury has been sustained.  However the awards provided are often quite limited, in comparison with bringing a personal injury claim when negligence/fault has been proven.

Similarly, the CICA is not as financially generous as a personal injury claim.  The scheme works on a tariff system with varying levels of awards available depending upon the extent and severity of each injury.  To qualify for a CICA award the crime must have been promptly reported to the police (our other relevant authority) and any application for an award must be made within 2 years of the date of the incident.

Personal injury cases are often more generous in terms of compensation.  These are civil claims which usually have to be brought within 3 years of the date of injury, although there are some exceptions.

Examples of personal injury claims may include:-

• Injury during military operations;
• Training accidents, caused by unsafe working practices;
• Defective or unsafe equipment;
• Failure to provide personal protective equipment;
• Noise induced hearing loss (deafness);
• Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI), typically sustained from exposure;
• Fatal accidents, if they were negligently caused;

Accidents in Public Places

Public liability cases concern injuries occurred whilst in public places, such as shopping centres, car parks, schools, and on pavements and footpaths.

This type of accident can involve:-

Slips/trips and falls in public areas;

Obstructions on the road, or pedestrian paths/walkways;

Untreated surfaces, particularly in adverse winter conditions;

Any other hazards in public places.

Fatal Accidents

Tragically, some accidents such as road traffic accidents and serious accidents at work, result in fatalities.   The loss of a loved one is devastating for those who are left behind.  As well as grieving for their loss, families are often also concerned by the financial impact, and the loss of security that may unexpectedly arise.

We are able to assist individuals or family members in investigating the cause of  the incident by pursuing a personal injury claim for compensation on behalf of the deceased, for the benefit of the next of kin and the family as a whole. A claim can include:-

Any pain and suffering the deceased may have suffered;

Medical expenses;

Funeral costs;

Loss of services provided by the deceased (e.g. loss of income or pension).

If you are looking to bring a claim on behalf of a family member, we can also you with advice as to the role of the coroner and the Inquest proceedings which may inevitably follow.   We can also provide representation at the inquest if necessary.

At Lester Aldridge, we can offer real expertise in this area. We have particular experience of dealing with cases involving spinal surgery that has gone wrong as a result of poor surgical technique. Whilst no amount of compensation can repair the damage that has been done it can help rebuild lives.