Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Devon
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Spinal cord injury is among the most devastating damage the body can suffer. It can have catastrophic consequences not only for the victims, but for their families as well. Claims can be highly complex, as awards can take into account much more than the initial spinal cord injury itself. The lifelong specialist care and treatment, with additional pressures and restrictions imposed on the lives of family carers can lead to compensation awards running into several million pounds.
Effects of spinal cord injury
The spinal cord consists of critical nerves carrying sensation and control for the entire body. Even minor damage can have severe consequences, from constant pain to paralysis. The extent of these effects will depend on how high up the spine the damage occurred. At the most extreme, a neck injury can cause total paralysis (quadriplegia) which may result in the victim having to be kept on a ventilator to breathe.
Handling spinal cord injury claims
Spinal injury claims are best dealt with by a specialist solicitor. Such injuries can affect all aspects of life for decades ahead. Only solicitors with appropriate experience will be aware of all the factors that can be taken into account when making a claim.
Personal Injury Claim Lawyers in Devon
If you have suffered an injury which wasn’t your fault, you should consult a specialist personal injury lawyer. The effects of an injury can be wide ranging and more than your legal rights are involved in determining your eligibility for, and amount of, compensation. For this reason, a lawyer requires a combination of legal and medical expertise, and most personal injury lawyers will have built up a list of useful contacts and barristers’ chambers to call on when specialist advice is required.How can I recognise a specialist personal injury lawyer?
In the first instance, check that your lawyer’s firm includes lawyers who are accredited members of the two principle legal bodies in this field; the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIC) and the Law Society’s personal injury panel. You should also ask if they have lawyers who belong to associations for the specific injury your claim is about – for example the Spinal Injuries Association or the Headway Panel.
You should also ask your lawyer about their record in personal injury claims. Can they give you any case histories of successful claims similar to yours?
How can I pay the lawyer’s bills for my personal injury claim?
With the exception of medical negligence, legal aid is generally no longer available for personal injury claims. This means you will have to agree payment with the lawyer yourself. Fortunately, lawyers are able to act on a Conditional Fee (“No Win, No Fee”) basis. This means your lawyer bears the cost of the claim until you have been awarded compensation. Depending on the type of agreement you have, your lawyer will then either claim his fees from your opponent, or take a percentage of your compensation as a “success fee”.
Will my lawyer charge me for costs if I lose my personal injury claim?
Before agreeing to work on a conditional fee basis, a competent personal injury lawyer will assess the merits of the claim. If you and your lawyer decide to proceed you may have to take out an insurance policy to cover both your and your opponent’s lawyers’ fees in the event that you lose your claim.