

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 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?
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”.
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.
Our solicitors cover the following towns in Somerset:
Ashington, Axbridge, Badgworth, Bathampton, Bathealton, Bayford, Beercrocombe, Bickenhall, Binegar, Bishop's Lydeard, Blue Anchor, Bowlish, Bratton Seymour, Brean, Brent Knoll, Bristol (PO Boxes), Broadway, Brockley, Brompton Ralph, Broomfield, Cannard's Grave, Cannington, Carhampton, Chantry, Chapel Allerton, Charlton, Charterhouse, Cheddar, Chew Magna, Chew Stoke, Chilcompton, Chilton Cantelo, Claverham, Closworth, Cocklake, Coleford, Combe Down, Combe Florey, Combe St Nicholas, Combwich, Compton Martin, Compton Pauncefoot, Cossington, Cote, Courtway, Coxley, Cricket St Thomas, Cudworth, Curload, Dodington, Dowlish Wake, Dunball, Dundon, Dunkerton, Dunster, Durston, East Brent, East Chinnock, Easton, Easton-in-Gordano, Edington, Elworthy, Emborough, Enmore, Exton, Flax Bourton, Flaxpool, Ford, Forton, Frenchay, Goathurst, Greylake, Halse, Heathfield, Hedging, Henton, Highbury, Horfield, Huish Champflower, Kewstoke, Kingsbury Episcopi, Kingsdon, Kingston Seymour, Kingweston, Kittisford, Langford Budville, Leigh Common, Limpley Stoke, Litton, Locking, Long Load, Long Sutton, Lovington, Low Ham, Lower Aisholt, Lower Failand, Lower Godney, Loxton, Lulsgate Bottom, Mark, Marsh Street, Midsomer Norton, Monksilver, Monkton Combe, Moorlinch, Mudford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Northay, Northend, Norton sub Hamdon, Nunnington Park, Oakhill, Panborough, Pathe, Paulton, Penselwood, Pilton, Pitcombe, Podimore, Porlock Weir, Priston, Puxton, Queen Camel, Redcliff Bay, Redland, Regil, Rockwell Green, Rode, Rodney Stoke, Ruishton, Rumwell, Saltford, Seavington St Michael, Selworthy, Sheepway, Shepton Beauchamp, Shepton Mallet, Shepton Montague, Shipham, Shoscombe, Skilgate, Somerton, South Widcombe, Southwood, Sparkford, St Georges, St Mary's Grove, Stanton Drew, Stanton Prior, Star, Stawley, Steart, Stocklinch, Ston Easton, Stoney Stoke, Stretcholt, Sutton Mallet, Sutton Montis, Thorn Falcon, Thorne St Margaret, Thurloxton, Tolland, Twinhoe, Vobster, Weare, West Camel, West Huntspill, West Monkton, West Town, Westbury on Trym, Westhay, Westport, Wheddon Cross, Winford, Witham Friary, Withycombe, Woolley, Wootton Courtenay, Wraxall, Yarley, Yarlington