

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.
You should consult a solicitor who specialises in personal injury litigation straight away. You can fill in the form on this site to send us details of your claim. It really is that simple.
Your solicitor will first discuss your claim with you in some detail. He will then make a preliminary assessment of the chances of litigation succeeding. If you both decide to proceed, he will then conduct a more detailed investigation. He may take statements from you and others who are involved, obtain medical records and assessments, and seek expert medical opinions on the case. He will also collect evidence to show how the alleged negligence contributed to your injury.
Your solicitor will then assess the claim again and advise you on the strength of your case and how best to proceed. Depending on the cause of the injury, there may be several avenues for litigation. Most commonly, those responsible for the accident will be sued in civil court. The case will be heard by a judge who will decide liability and, if you win, make an award of compensation.
If your litigation is to succeed, you must be able to prove “on the balance of probabilities” that your injury is due to negligence by another party. Note that this is a lesser degree of proof than a criminal case, and does not necessarily mean that you have to be entirely fault-free; you need only demonstrate that the other party is more than 50% responsible for your injury. If you can do this, a personal injury solicitor may well advise you proceed with litigation.
Amounts are determined on a case by case basis. In England and Wales, Judges have issued broad guideline figures for different types and degree of injury, laid down in the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines. This has been built up over the history of personal injury litigation. Information is given on this site under individual types of injury.
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