

Back injury has a wide range of causes, but the more common include lifting objects incorrectly, road traffic accidents and falls. Surprisingly, there needn't be any single traumatic event to cause long-term back injury.
There may not be a sudden onset of pain - it might develop over a day or so. Effects can range from slight stiffness to severe disability. Back trauma can also lead to chronic conditions such as arthritis or degeneration of discs. The most severe back injury cases can involve disfunction of other organs such as incontinence or impotence.
At one extreme, a minor back injury such as a mild strain with full recovery can see compensation of up to £4,000. At the other extreme, severe back injury affecting other bodily functions claims can win £50,000 - £80,000.
In the first instance, check that your solicitor’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 solicitors 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 solicitor about their record in personal injury claims. Can they give you any case histories of successful claims similar to yours?
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 solicitor yourself. Fortunately, solicitors are able to act on a Conditional Fee (“No Win, No Fee”) basis. This means your solicitor bears the cost of the claim until you have been awarded compensation. Depending on the type of agreement you have, your solicitor will then either claim his fees from your opponent, or take a percentage of your compensation as a “success fee”.
Before agreeing to work on a conditional fee basis, a competent personal injury solicitor will assess the merits of the claim. If you and your solicitor decide to proceed you may have to take out an insurance policy to cover both your and your opponent’s solicitors’ fees in the event that you lose your claim.
Our solicitors cover the following towns in Lancashire:
Abbey Village, Adlington, Appley Bridge, Aughton Park, Bamber Bridge, Barrow Nook, Bashall Eaves, Bashall Town, Becconsall, Bescar, Billington, Blacko, Blackpool, Bolton by Bowland, Borwick, Bottom Head, Bracewell, Broadley, Burnley, Calder Vale, Carleton, Catforth, Catlow, Chorley, Clayton-le-Woods, Cockerham, Coppull Moor, Copster Green, Cottam, Dolphinholme, Dunsop Bridge, Earby, Edgworth, Elswick, Esprick, Ewood, Fence, Fishwick, Freckleton, Garstang, Great Eccleston, Great Mitton, Gressingham, Greystone, Grimeford Village, Halsall, Halton, Hapton, Harle Syke, Haslingden Grane, Healey, Heaton, Hesketh Lane, Higham, Higher Walton, Holden, Hornby, Horton, Hurst Green, Hutton, Inskip, Kelbrook, Kirkby, Laneshawbridge, Leyland, Little Bispham, Longton, Lower Darwen, Mill Houses, Moor Cock, Moor Nook, Much Hoole, Nateby, Newby, Oswaldtwistle, Paythorne, Pilling, Preston, Rawtenstall, Rishton, Rossendale, Samlesbury Bottoms, Sawley, Scorton, Sharoe Green, Shirdley Hill, Slaidburn, St Anne's, St Michael's on Wyre, Staining, Stake Pool, Sykes, Tardy Gate, Thistleton, Tosside, Up Holland, Upper Thurnham, Walk Mill, Walker Fold, West End, Whalley, Wharles, Wheelton, Whitechapel, Whitewell, Wilpshire, Wiswell, Worsthorne, Wray, Wrightington Bar, Yealand Conyers