Back injury claims

Over £90 million compensation recovered for our UK clients – Russell Worth Solicitors

0800 028 2060

The severity of pain and the amount of time the pain is endured very much depends on the nature of the injury. Back injuries can range from soft tissue wounds, which cause minor discomfort to extreme severity cases such as permanent paraplegia.

The back is an extremely complex and sensitive part of the body consisting of vertebrae housing the spinal cord, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. The 24 vertebrae spine is the protector of the spinal cord, which is what the brain uses to communicate with and control every muscle in our body, our movement if you will…

If you have had an accident in work or a slip and trip elsewhere and it was not your fault, then you could be entitled to some personal injury compensation. With a back injury and the complexities of this area, you need a back injury solicitor that knows what they are doing – a solicitor that will get you the maximum compensation that is fair for your back injury.

What are the common types of back injury?

Going from less severe to more severe, the different types of back injuries that we have successfully claimed for include:

Soft tissue injuries – as mentioned above, the back has a lot of soft tissue that when damaged, can cause considerable pain. The back injury will most likely be invisible from the outside but the pain someone endures when they damage their back muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves, can be really quite debilitating. The symptoms often subside as the body naturally repairs but this can take some time. Whiplash is classed as a soft tissue back injury.

Slipped disc – this is where the outer part of one of the vertebrae slips over another.

Neck or back breakages – the most severe of back injuries, a neck or back breakage can frequently result in paralysis. Unfortunately when the spinal cord is damaged, paralysis very often results in physical disability for which there is often no cure. Interesting research which shows the latest in medical developments against paralysis have recently been trialed in dogs which is a great step but scientists say that this does not necessarily mean that the procedure will work for humans.

What are the typical causes of back injuries?

There are a number of reasons why you may have suffered a back injury and below we have listed the most common types of back injury claims that we have great success with:

• Road traffic accidents – when vehicles collide there is often a forceful jolt on the body and in particular the spine. If this force is great enough then the twisting or straining this can put on the back is enormous, resulting in some pretty nasty injuries.
• Slips and trips – whether an accident at work, or in the public domain, we often speak to people who have suffered excruciating back injuries as a result of a fall.
• Faulty products – faulty chairs, bikes and ladders can cause some nasty back injuries including trapped nerves and other such spinal compression related injuries.
• Falling from Height – whether you’re a window cleaner, a builder or you ride a horse – all of these activities can involve working at an unsafe height. Health and safety guidelines should prevent these back injury accidents from happening at work but obviously they still do happen.
• Lifting things that are too heavy is a common occurrence. Without the proper training, people are often asked to lift things that are too heavy. What is more, these lifting tasks are often outside of your contracted duties as an employee.

How can you treat a back injury?

Depending on how bad the back injury is, there may be some things that you can do to aid in your rehabilitation.

• Drug prescriptions – For soft tissue injuries such as whiplash you may be prescribed painkillers such as Paracetamol or if the pain is more severe, Codeine may be prescribed. Non Steroidal Anti Inflamatory Drugs (NSAIDS) like Ibuprofen can also help reduce the swelling in the affected area.
• Physiotherapy – ‘Physio’ is all about moving and manipulating the soft tissue, often resulting in movement being restored to the area, especially for minor type back injuries.
• Chiropractic treatment – If it is deemed that the cause of the back pain is to do with the bones then a chiropractor may be prescribed
• Surgery – If it is thought that more superficial treatment such as seeing a physio or chiropractor is not working, you may be referred for surgery. Back surgery can include the removal of or fusing of vertebrae, depending on the nature of the back injury.

The boots health page gives a good overview of how to live with and treat back pain.

I’m not sure if I want to claim but I am in pain

We understand that taking on a back injury claim could see like a daunting prospect but please be assured that in doing so, you will open up a scenario where you are no longer by yourself with your pain. We will get you the medical treatment privately wherever possible to save you waiting for the NHS and importantly, we’ll get you compensation for the pain, suffering and where applicable financial losses you have endured.

We will do the brunt of the work and keep you informed every step of the way so it will be very little burden to you.

If the accident was someone else’s fault and it was within the last 3 years then you could make a back injury claim against them and get the compensation you deserve.

To get a perspective on any personal injury situation and whether you should claim or not, take a look at our why claim section which raises a few points for consideration.

Take a look at our after an accident page for details of what one should do if they have been involved in an accident.

Make a back injury claim

You can do this one of two ways – call us on 0800 028 2060 or start your back injury claim online. With Russell worth, you will have access to the expertise you need to see your back injury claim through to success. We’ll talk to you in plain English and will communicate via email, phone, or any other means you might prefer so as not to let the injury further impact your life any more than it needs to.

Support groups and communities for people affected by spinal injury

Apparelized – this is a peer support group that helps to get people affected by spinal injury, back into society and being active.

Backup – again, another fantastic support group that encourages people to keep their lust for life after a spinal injury.

Spinal Research – see the latest in spinal research and paralysis

Spinal Injury Network – ran by a man who fell off his bike and broke his neck and suffered a Spinal Cord Injury (SIC). Inspiration for anyone who has suffered a similar injury so well worth a read and getting involved.

Free Claim Assessment

If you have been injured and would like a free Claim Assessment so that you can discover your rights, please call us now on 0800 028 2060 or complete our Online Claim Assessment.