

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:
Abbas Combe, Adsborough, Alhampton, Allerford, Ansford, Ash Priors, Axbridge, Babcary, Badgworth, Batcombe, Bath-easton, Bayford, Beercrocombe, Bicknoller, Bishop's Hull, Bishopsworth, Blackford, Bradford-on-Tone, Brean, Brent Knoll, Bridgetown, Bridgwater, Brislington, Bristol, Bristol (PO Boxes), Burtle, Butcombe, Carhampton, Castle Cary, Chaffcombe, Chapel Allerton, Chedzoy, Chelvey, Chew Magna, Chillington, Chilthorne Domer, Chilton Cantelo, Chilton Polden, Chiselborough, Cholwell, Clandown, Cleeve, Clewer, Closworth, Combe Hay, Compton Dundon, Compton Pauncefoot, Cotham, Cothelstone, Cranmore, Crowcombe, Curry Rivel, Dowlish Wake, Draycott, Dulcote, Dunster, Durleigh, East Coker, East Combe, East Lydford, East Rolstone, Farleigh, Farmborough, Four Forks, Frenchay, Fulford, Galhampton, Great Elm, Greenham, Greenway, Hardington, Hatch Green, Hemington, High Littleton, Hinton Blewett, Holywell Lake, Horfield, Horton, Huish Episcopi, Hunstrete, Huntspill, Huntworth, Inglesbatch, Isle Abbotts, Kilmersdon, Kingsdon, Kingston Seymour, Knowle, Langley Marsh, Langport, Leigh Woods, Leighton, Limpley Stoke, Liscombe, Locking, Lopen, Lovington, Low Ham, Lydeard St Lawrence, Lympsham, Mare Green, Mark, Marston Magna, Minehead, Monkton Heathfield, Montacute, Mudford, Nailsea, Nightcott, North Brewham, North Newton, North Petherton, North Wick, Northay, Norton Fitzwarren, Norton St Philip, Oakhill, Oare, Over Stratton, Paulton, Pawlett, Peasedown St John, Pendomer, Pitminster, Polsham, Portbury, Portishead, Priston, Queen Camel, Redcliff Bay, Roadwater, Rodway, Saltford, Sheepway, Simonsbath, Skilgate, South Brewham, South Widcombe, St Audries, St Decumans, St Mary's Grove, Stathe, Stocklinch, Stoke sub Hambon, Stoney Stratton, Street, Stretcholt, Sutton Montis, Tarr, Tatworth, Thorn Falcon, Timberscombe, Timsbury, Trudoxhill, Uphill, Upper Godney, Upper Town, Upton, Upton Noble, Wadeford, Walton-in-Gordano, Wambrook, Wearne, Wells, West Bagborough, West Camel, West Compton, West Hatch, West Monkton, West Porlock, West Stoughton, Westhay, Weston, Weston-in-Gordano, Wick St Lawrence, Wilton, Winford, Winscombe, Winsham, Witcombe, Wiveliscombe, Wookey, Woolavington, Woolley, Worle