If you, or a loved one has recently suffered a spinal injury, you will undoubtedly be deeply concerned about the long-term impacts of the damage caused.
Depending on the extent of injury, damage to the spinal cord can have serious health consequences for those affected, including paralysis, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, and uncontrollable spasms.
One of the challenges for physicians specialising in spinal cord injuries is the unpredictability of outcomes for patients. Some patients may make a complete recovery, while others may not, and this depends on the precise damage caused to individual spinal nerves, and their ability to heal. It is therefore important to allow time for the long-term effects to be known; the outcome once the initial damage and complications of the injury have had time to heal may be one of significant improvement or complete recovery.
New technology such as spinal cord regeneration is making in-roads into possible cures for spinal damage, however, this research is still underway and is yet to become a widely available and effective intervention.
At Lavelle Partners, we have worked with many clients who have suffered serious spinal injuries, successfully bringing claims on their behalf where it was due to negligence by another party. Our team, headed by Avril Scally, understand the real implications of spinal injuries for the person affected and their family. Patients may need to spend considerable time in hospital post-injury and may then undergo months or even years of therapy and treatment during the recovery process. It may also be necessary to make changes to the family home to accommodate the individual, including to allow wheelchair access, and suitable shower facilities. And through all of this period, there may be worries regarding loss of earnings and the costs associated with treating and adapting to the injury.
By calling one of our spinal injury solicitors, based on the details you provide us of the circumstances of the injury, we can advise you of your options for bringing a claim against the negligent party, with a view to bringing them to account and seeking financial damages for your losses.
What type of spinal injury can I claim for?
Lavelle Partners have helped many clients to successfully bring a claim following spinal injuries of all types and severity. You may be able to claim for the following types of spinal injury:
- Complete spinal cord injury: total loss of motor and sensory function below the site of the injury
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: partial loss of motor and sensory function below the site of the injury
- Open spinal cord injury: whereby an object has penetrated the spinal cord.
If paralysis has resulted from the spinal injury, you may hear this referred to as:
- Tetraplegia (or quadriplegia): meaning the arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected.
- Paraplegia: meaning part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs are affected.
Who is liable for my spinal injury?
Spinal injuries can be caused by accidents due to negligence in a range of contexts including (but not limited to):
- Workplaces
- Educational establishments
- Public facilities
- Road traffic accidents
- Healthcare settings
- Military facilities
- Supermarkets or other retail establishments
- Construction sites
Regardless of where the injury occurred, it will be necessary to establish who is at fault for the accident which led to the spinal injury. Depending on the situation, this may be a local authority, public entity, building contractor, employer, a private company, or an individual.
Do I have grounds for a spinal injury claim?
To bring a claim against a negligent party for your injuries, it will be necessary to prove:
- The party owed you a duty of care – if you were not owed a duty of care, no claim can be brought, and;
- The duty of care was breached, and;
- The breach of care led to spinal injury.
This means that in some contexts, it may not be possible to make a claim because there is a lack of proof that negligence occurred. One of our primary roles will be to establish if there are grounds for a claim and if so, to create a compelling case that proves the other party held legal culpability which they breached, leading to your injury.
If you are unsure whether the circumstances of your spinal injury are grounds for a claim, please contact one of our spinal injury solicitors today who will take the time to listen to the details of your case and advise you of your legal options.
What may a claim for spinal injury cover?
Claims following spinal injuries due to negligence may cover two areas of loss:
- Pain and suffering due to the injury;
- Specific costs resulting from the injury caused. This may cover costs already incurred, such as transport, accommodation, and medical treatment, and expected future expenses, such as physical therapy and care costs.
The costs you receive will be based on the precise injuries suffered and the circumstances of the case.
How Lavelle Partners spinal injury solicitors can assist you in bringing a claim
- Lavelle Partners have successfully managed many cases of spinal injury caused by the negligence of another party.
- Our team have been helping clients since 2004, with decades of combined experience across the team, and place client care at the centre of everything they do.
- From the first moment you speak to one of our solicitors, we will listen to your case carefully and with empathy and will only recommend advancing your case if we believe you have a valid case.
- We have both the legal expertise and understanding of the real-life challenges faced by individuals and their families following such events.
- Our solicitors will manage the process entirely on your behalf; compiling the information necessary for your case, including medical notes and managing the submission of your personal injury claim.
By allowing us to handle your claim on your behalf, you can focus on what is most important your recovery and care, or that of your family member or loved one.
Recent cases
Lavelle Partners secure significant settlement for claimant who suffered a spinal injury as a result of hospital negligence
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For further information on making a claim for spinal injury in Ireland, please contact Lavelle Partners in confidence on (01) 644 5800 or email Avril Scally at mailto:ascally@lavellepartners.ie
