Spinal Injury
At Bond Pearce we have the experience and expertise to deal with the most complex of spinal injury claims. And there are some notable successes including the highest ever compensation award for a spinal injury claim. However we recognise that compensation is but one part and that rehabilitation, assistance and a guiding hand from someone who has the experience in dealing with spinal injuries is of equal importance. The legal process can be complex and we aim to take the pressure away from this area making it a seamless process for you. We visit our clients in spinal injury units and hospitals as well as at home and are happy to have an informal chat to see whether we can help you.
Contact us and seek specialist advice from one of our spinal injury lawyers. You can either fill out our online | enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650.
It is estimated that up to 40,000 people in the UK have a spinal injury and that two people are paralysed each day in Britain as a result of an injury to their spinal cord. A spinal injury can be serious particularly if the spinal cord is damaged. A spinal cord injury can result in a loss of mobility and feeling below the site of the injury (lesion) resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia. It is however possible to suffer a broken neck or broken back without damaging your spinal cord.
It is important to remember that spinal injuries can impact dramatically upon your lifestyle and that specialist advice both medically and legally is vital from the start.
Spinal injury legal claims can be complex due to the number of factors to consider and it is vital that you instruct a legal team who have experience of dealing with spinal injuries and spinal cord injuries. Our spinal cord injury solicitors have experience in obtaining compensation for our clients who are spinally injured, in particular obtaining early interim payments. Your spinal injury solicitor will be able to liaise with you and your medical team to discuss your injury and any implications this will have for the future. Your spinal injury solicitor should take an active role in your rehabilitation as they will be able to provide legal advice and assistance with regard to the financial support and help that is available to you throughout your legal claim.
On this area of our website we have dedicated some pages to provide more information about spinal injuries and damage to the spinal cord. We have also provided the details of organisations who might be of help or assistance to you. We hope you find this useful.
WHAT IS A SPINAL CORD INJURY?
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is defined by spinal injury associations as damage or trauma to the spinal cord that in turn results in a loss or impaired function resulting in reduced mobility or feeling.
The resulting damage to the cord is known as a lesion, and the paralysis is known as Tetraplegia if the injury is in the Cervical (neck) region, or as Paraplegia if the injury is in the Thoracic, Lumbar or Sacral region.
It is possible for someone to suffer a Broken Neck or a Broken Back without becoming paralysed. This occurs when there is a fracture to the vertebrae, but the spinal cord has not been damaged.
Causes of damage to the spinal cord include injuries as a result of trauma or disease:
Trauma
- Road traffic accidents:
- car accident
- motorcycle accident
- cyclists
- pedestrians
- collision
- knocked over
- Falls
- from height
- downstairs
- jump
- fall down
- at work
- Sharp trauma or assault
- gunshot
- knife
- Sports injuries
- rugby
- diving
- horse riding
- rock climbing
- skiing and snow boarding
- gymnastics
- boxing
- Medical negligence
- surgery
- infection
- Lifting
Disease
- Transverse Myelitis
- Polio
- Spina Bifida
- Friedreich's Ataxia
- Medical negligence - misdiagnosis
THE SPINAL CORD AND WHAT IT DOES
The spinal cord is about 18inches long and travels approximately from the base of the brain to the waist. It is the major bundle of nerves that carries nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest of the body. There are nerves within the spinal cord (upper motor neurons) and nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to other areas of the body (lower motor neurons.)
Upper motor neurons - are situated within the spinal cord and their primary function is to carry the messages back and forth from the brain to the spinal nerves. The sensory portions of the cord are contained within the ascending tracts of the upper motor neurons. They carry messages about sensation from the skin such as pain, temperature, touch and joint position and other body parts and organs to the brain. The motor portions of the spinal cord are contained within the descending tracts of the upper motor neurons and send messages from the brain to the various body parts to initiate actions such as muscle movement.
Lower motor neurons - exit and enter at each vertebral level and communicate with specific areas of the body.
The spinal cord does not have to be completely severed for there to be a loss of function. In most cases of spinal cord injury the spinal cord remains intact.
TYPES OF SPINAL CORD INJURY
Paraplegia and tetraplegia
Complete and incomplete lesions
Paraplegic and Tetraplegic are terms used to describe someone who has been paralysed due to a spinal cord injury. 'Tetra' is derived from the Greek word for 'Four.' 'Para' is derived from the Greek word for 'two' and 'plegic,' is derived from the Greek word 'plegia,' meaning paralysis. Hence Tetraplegic and Paraplegic.
This classification depends on the level and severity of a person's paralysis and how it affects their limbs. Depending on where the spinal cord has been damaged determines how groups of muscles, organs and sensations will be affected. There are four different nerve areas and these are important in defining the type of spinal cord injury - paraplegia or tetraplegia. The nerves are grouped into the Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral parts of the spinal cord.
When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, generally the spinal nerves joining the cord below the level of injury will be either completely or partially cut off from the brain resulting in Quadriplegia or Paraplegia. The body will still be trying to send messages from below the level of injury to the brain. But these messages will be blocked by the damaged spinal cord at the level of injury. Nerves joining the spinal cord above the level of injury will be unaffected and continue to work as normal.
Paraplegia: is when the level of spinal cord injury occurs below the first thoracic spinal nerve. This can affect the thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The degree at which the person is paralysed can vary from the impairment of leg movement to complete paralysis of the legs and abdomen up to the nipple line. Paraplegics have full use of their arms and hands.
Tetraplegia : is when a person has a spinal cord injury above the first thoracic vertebra. It affects the cervical area of the spine. Paralysis usually affects the cervical spinal nerves resulting in paralysis of all four limbs. In addition to the arms and legs being paralyzed, the abdominal and chest muscles will also be affected resulting in weakened breathing and the inability to properly cough and clear the chest.
Level of injury (Lesion)
The level of injury which is also known as a lesion is the point in the spinal cord where damage has occurred. There are two types of lesion:
- Complete injury - someone with a complete injury will have complete loss of muscle control and sensation below their level of lesion. This means the person is completely paralysed below their lesion.
- Incomplete injury - means only part of the spinal cord is damaged. An incomplete injury is where maybe only the muscles have been paralysed or where there is impaired sensation. A person with an incomplete injury may have sensation below their lesion but no movement, or vice versa. There are many types in incomplete spinal cord injuries and no two are the same
Examples of incomplete spinal cord injury include:
Anterior cord syndrome - when the damage is towards the front of the spinal cord this can leave a person with the loss or impaired ability to sense pain, temperature and touch sensations below their level of injury. Pressure and joint sensation may be preserved.
Posterior cord syndrome - when the damage is towards the back of the spinal cord. This type of injury may leave the person with good muscle power, pain and temperature sensation; however they may experience difficulty in coordinating movement of their limbs.
Central cord syndrome - when the damage is in the centre of the spinal cord. This typically results in the loss of function in the arms, but some leg movement may be preserved. There may also be some control over the bowel and bladder.
Brown-Sequard syndrome - when damage is towards one side of the spinal cord. This results in impaired movement or loss of movement to the injured side, but pain and temperature sensation may be preserved. The opposite side of injury will have normal movement, but pain and temperature sensation will be impaired or lost.
SPINAL CORD INJURY TERMINOLOGY / DEFINITIONS
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Incomplete spinal cord lesion with primary damage in anterior cord; loss of motor function, sense of pain and temperature; perseveration of proprioception, kinesthesia, and vibration below level of lesion.
Autonomic Dysreflexia (or Hyperreflexia)
A pathologic autonomic reflex seen in patients with high-level spinal cord injuries. it is precipitated by a noxious stimulus below the level of the lesion and produces an acute onset of autonomic activity. It is considered an emergency situation; symptoms include hypertension, bradycardia, headache, and sweating.
Avulsion
Pulling of tearing of a piece of bone away from the main bone.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Incomplete spinal cord lesion caused by hemisection of the cord; loss of motor function, proprioception, and kinestheia on side of lesion; loss of sense of pain and temperature on opposite side.
Bulbocavernous Reflex (Positive)
Pressure on the glans penis or glans clitoris elicits a contraction of the external anal sphincter.
Burst (Explosion) Fracture
A comminuted vertebral fracture associated with pressure along the long axis of the vertebral column; also associated with flexion injuries; bone fragments are displaced centripetally.
Cauda Equina Lesion
Damage to the peripheral nerve roots below the first lumbar vertebra; some regeneration is possible.
Central Cord Syndrome
Incomplete spinal cord lesion producing greater neurologic involvement in upper extremities (cervical tracts more centrally located) than in the lower extremities (lumbar and sacral tracts more peripheral).
Complete Lesion (SCI)
No sensory or motor function below the level of lesion.
Compression Fracture
A vertebral fracture resulting from pressure along the long axis of the vertebral column; closely associated with flexion injuries.
Contusion (SCI)
Damage to the spinal cord produced by pressure from displaced bone and/or soft tissues or swelling within the spinal canal.
Crede Maneuver
Technique for emptying urine from a flaccid bladder; pressure is placed between the umbilicus and sympysis pubis in an upward and downward direction.
Diaphoresis
Profuse sweating.
Dislocation
Displacement of a bone or vertebral body from its normal position.
Dysesthesias (SCI)
Bizarre, painful sensations experienced below the level of lesion following spinal cord injury; often described as burning, numbness, pins and needles, or tingling sensations.
Heterotopic Bone Formation
Abnormal bone growth in soft tissues; a potential secondary complication following spinal cord injury; occurs below the level of the lesion. SYN: ectopic bone.
Incomplete Lesion (SCI)
Some preservation of sensory or motor function below the level of lesion.
Intrathecal Injection
Central (within the spinal canal) chemical injection that interrupts the reflex arc; used to decrease severe spasticity.
Maceration
Softening of a solid by exposure to water or other fluid; usually pertains to the skin.
Micturation
Voiding of urine. SYN: urination.
Myletomy
Severence of nerve fibers of the spinal cord; used to reduce severe spasticity.
Myotomy
Surgical sectioning or release of a muscle; used to reduce spasticity.
Neurectomy
Partial or total excision or resection of a nerve; used to reduce severe spasticity.
Nocturia
Excessive urination during the night.
Osteoporosis
Decreased density or softening of bone.
Paraplegia
Refers to partial or complete paralysis of all or part of the trunk and both lower extremities from lesions of the thoracic or lumbar spinal cord or sacral roots.
Peripheral Nerve Block
Local chemical injection (e.g., phenol) used to block transmission of a motor nerve selectively; used to decrease spasticity.
Posterior Cord Syndrome
A rare incomplete lesion with primary damage to the posterior cord; preservation of motor function, sense of pain and light touch with loss of proprioception and epicritic sensations below the level of lesion.
Postural Hypotension
A decrease in blood pressure that occurs when moving toward an upright posture. This occurs normally but may be severe following prolonged bedrest.
Pressure Sore
Ulceration of soft tissue caused by unrelieved pressure and shearing forces. SYN: decubitus ulcer, bed sore.
Quadriplegia
Partial or complete paralysis of all four extremities and trunk, including the respiratory muscles from lesions of the cervical cord.
Rhizotomy
Division or severance of a nerve root; used to reduce severe spasticity.
Root Escape
Preservation of peripheral nerve roots at the level of a spinal cord injury.
Sacral Sparing
Incomplete lesion in which some sacral innervation remains intact; complete loss of motor function and sensation in other areas below the level of lesion.
Shearing
Application of a horizontal or parallel force relative to adjacent structures; opposite to force which is normally present; associated with fracture dislocations of the thoracolumbar region.
Spinal Shock
Period immediately following injury to the spinal cord; characterized by absence of all reflex activity, flaccidity, and loss of sensation below the level of the lesion; generally subsides within 24 hours.
Subluxation
Incomplete or partial dislocation.
Teardrop Fracture
Bursting type of fracture of cervical region; produces a characteristic anterior-inferior bone chip; fragment resembles a "teardrop" on x-ray film; associated with flexion and compression forces.
Tenotomy
Surgical section of a nerve; used to reduce spasticity.
When a spinal cord injury is fatal
At Bond Pearce we are experienced in helping people following the death of a loved one including representation at inquest. We aim to take the pressure off of you at this most difficult of times and help you to get the answers you deserve. Preparing for an inquest can be a traumatic and bewildering experience on top of the shock and distress caused by the death. Many people feel that the legal procedures and processes in trying to discover the truth about the circumstances of a death are the last thing they can cope with after losing someone close. Read more about inquests.
SPINAL CORD INJURY COMPENSATION - INSTRUCTING SPECIALISTS
Why bring a claim for compensation?
In an instant a spinal cord injury can change your entire life. Compensation can be a lifeline to helping you rebuild your life, cater for your ongoing needs and provide the level of independence that you will wish to maintain.
Do I have a case?
Spinal cord injury cases are complex and often involve a complicated series of events. So even if you think you may have some reason to be blamed or partly to blame for your spinal injury, you should still contact a lawyer to see if any compensation can be recovered. Even if you are unsure whether you are entitled to claim for compensation, seeking advice from a specialist spinal injury solicitor will reassure you about your legal rights. Specialist spinal injury lawyers will know the legalities and will have expert knowledge of conditions which will allow a case to proceed.
Never assume that you are not entitled to compensation. The law in this area is complex and you should always seek legal advice. This is important, even if you do not know the identity of the person who may be responsible for your injuries eg, if you are the victim of a hit and run accident or the victim of violence.
Why do I need a Spinal Injury lawyer - what's the difference?
Spinal cord injuries are complicated. It is important that your solicitor understands not only the complexities of your injury but how they impact on your life. A specialist spinal injuries lawyer will have expert advice at their disposal and will understand the legal implications of specific features of spinal cord injuries such as pain, incontinence, impotence and fertility. In many cases it can be some time before settlement and a specialist lawyer will be able to arrange an interim payment in order to pay for equipment, care and accommodation so you can concentrate on your rehabilitation.
Bond Pearce is a leading law firm with a respected reputation in the field of personal injury. The personal injury department adopts a team approach to the handling of personal injury cases ensuring that your spinal injury case is handled by experienced friendly professionals. It can take some time for a spinal injury case to reach its conclusion. It can be a long process and it is important that you are comfortable with your solicitor, that you feel you can communicate with them and that you are happy that they will listen to you and meet your needs.
INTERIM PAYMENTS
Cases involving severe and complex injuries can take many years to reach a conclusion. This is to ensure that all eventualities are catered for and that the final compensation award will cater for all future financial needs. However because of this it is possible in some cases to obtain what is known as an interim payment. It is inevitable that you will incur expenses as a result of your injury. Interim payments are usually obtained to help and support you - for example they can be used to pay for rehabilitation, aids and equipment, transport and housing adaptations.
