Spinal Injury Claims Solicitors .

Am I eligible to make a Spinal Injury Claim?

If the negligent action of someone, whether it was a person driving a car or a doctor undertaking a medical procedure, was a contributing factor to your injury, it is very likely that you will be able to get compensation. Lanyon Bowdler’s team of Medical Negligence Solicitors can help if your injury was caused by clinical negligence surrounding a medical or hospital procedure.

If you are able to prove the fault of a third party and calculate your compensation payout, your Spinal Injury Claim has a high chance at being successful. We have helped countless individuals across England and Wales get compensation for their injuries and get their life back on track.

Accreditations

Our awards and accolades.

Lanyon Bowdler are nationally recognised for expertise in Spinal Injury Claims.

How do I make a Spinal Injury Claim?

The first step is speaking to specialist Spinal Injury Solicitors. Lanyon Bowdler can help you build a strong case from day one, collecting and documenting evidence of your accident and injury. Thanks to our extensive network, we can facilitate specialist medical assessment, which can be a valuable piece of evidence during the legal process.

We then identify a defendant, who is the party you will be claiming against. Often, an agreement is reached with the defendant or their insurer without the need for a court case. This approach is preferable as it reduces the stress, time, and costs associated with your case.

However, if an agreement is not reached, we will fight for your right to be compensated in court. Our Spinal Injury Solicitors are highly experienced, and can ensure you reach the best possible outcome for your case.

What will my spinal injury compensation cover?

Final compensation awards for Spinal Injury Claims are calculated by assessing both General Damages and Special Damages associated with the trauma of the incident and the significance of its effects on later life.

General Damages are designed to compensate you for the actual accident and the pain it caused, and their value is outlined in the Judicial College Guidelines.

Special Damages are the part of your spinal injury compensation payment that is calculated from the financial losses and expenses you have incurred as a result of your injury. These may include:

Reimbursement for all expenses, such as medical, transportation, and replacement of damaged items.
Suitable compensation if you are no longer able to continue or progress in your career path, or indeed work at all.
If you are no longer able to participate in leisure or creative activities that once contributed actively toward your quality of life.
To allow adaptations around the home or with modes of transport (widened doorways, bath lifts, wet rooms, ramps and access adaptations).
Funding for a care package for ongoing healthcare support.
Ensuring all needs are catered for to provide independence.

Depending on the type of injury and accident you’ve suffered, there may be more you could include in your claim. Contact us today to find out how Lanyon Bowdler can help you.

Our Spinal Injury Claims Expertise

As a leading law firm, we regularly act for clients with Spinal Cord Injury Claims. We can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.

Our Spinal Injury Solicitors have specialist and comprehensive expertise in representing clients through spinal injury compensation claims. We know only too well the devastating impact this kind of injury can have on the injured person, close friends, and the family unit.

The Serious Injury Lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler have a wealth of experience guiding people through the process of claiming compensation following a spinal cord injury. We have many years’ experience in handling Spinal Injury Compensation Claims and have secured multi-million-pound pay-outs for many clients we have helped.

Our Spinal Injury Solicitors are adept at prioritising the most immediate needs for our clients at this most challenging of times. We aim to quickly review the facts and assess the viability of making a successful claim for compensation.

It is essential for you or loved ones to take early advice from a Spinal Injury Solicitor. We often make visits to the homes of our clients, or we can arrange for hospital visits if this is more appropriate and helpful, in order to progress the claim.

The complexities surrounding an individual Spinal Injury Claim can mean the claims process itself can often be lengthy. We have wide experience in securing early interim compensation payments helping ensure that any immediate needs surrounding financial or physical welfare are promptly catered for. At Lanyon Bowdler, the physical and emotional needs, as well as the financial security of our clients, is paramount to all that we do and how we approach a Spinal Injury Claim.

Spinal Injury Conference

Lanyon Bowdler hosted a national conference, ‘Surviving Spinal Injury – The Journey’ which was held at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Gobowen, Oswestry.

Legal 500 & Chambers UK recommendations

The Personal Injury Team is recognised in Tier 2 for the West Midlands in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500, which states: ‘The ‘very client-centred’ team at Lanyon Bowdler is ably led by Dawn Humphries who is based at the Shrewsbury office. Humphries excels in serious brain and spinal injuries. She is also well-regarded for her work on employers’ liability claims that arise from accidents at work, particularly at construction sites. Telford-based Debbie Humphries is recommended for her representation of clients who have sustained life-changing injuries. Phillip Roberts is at the Hereford office, and has particular experience in areas such as accident at work cases and loss of limbs claims. Associate Karen Clarke is another notable member of the practice’.

Work highlights:

Represented claimant in PI claim against a well-known sporting activities franchise, where claimant sustained a C5 fracture of the neck rendering him tetraplegic, resulting in a claim estimated to be worth over £10m.

Represented claimant in PI claim against employer, having sustained fractures to L2, 3, 4 and 5 after falling from a roof. Contentious evidence in respect of quantum led to negotiations which successfully secured a £500,000 settlement for the client.

Represented claimant via their litigation friend in a PI claim against a defendant driver, successfully negotiating a settlement of £2.9m ahead of a liability trial.

Chambers UK 2025 rank the department in Band 1 in the Midlands and states ‘Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors is a leading Shropshire firm advising on an extensive breadth of personal injury cases, including high-value RTA and accident-at-work claims. The firm is particularly experienced in acting for clients with Cerebral and Spinal Injury Claims. The team is skilled in handling military cases and accidents abroad. It also works alongside clinical negligence and Court of Protection teams to fully support clients’.

Strengths

“The case was very complex, and any issues that came up with the case, the firm did its utmost to work them out.”

“Lanyon Bowdler has a wide knowledge base. The team are very good at responding and provide clients with a high level of support.”

Notable practitioners

Dawn Humphries handles a wide range of orthopaedic and spinal injury claims. She is active on an array of personal injury cases, including those relating to workplace accidents and RTAs.

“Dawn is empathetic and sympathetic but very calmly assertive when it came to pushing back onto defence.”

Debbie Humphries is highlighted for her experience in handling a full range of severe injury matters, including motor incidents and accidents at work.

“Debbie supports her clients with a balance of compassion and sector knowledge.”

Your Spinal Injury Claims Questions Answered

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A Spinal Cord Injury often involves damage to neurons or nerve fibres leaving them unable to carry signals below the point at which the spinal cord has been damaged.

The spine impacts on all bodily functions, acting as the main pathway for communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Protected by vertebrae, it carries signals to and from the brain via its complex network of nerve cells (neurons) and bundles of nerve fibre (axons). Along with the brain, the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system and is essential to the peripheral nervous system too. It is due to its fundamental role in all bodily functions that damage to the spinal cord can have such a devastating effect.

The higher up the body that damage occurs, the greater the impact is felt on bodily functions. Both muscle control and sensory responses can be lost and while advances in medical techniques are beginning to help more injured people recover to levels that once would have been unachievable, it is still the case that damage to the spinal cord can leave people with complex and life-changing issues.

What type of Spinal Injuries can I claim for?

More than 1,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury every year through a variety of incidents, such as sporting accidents, surgical injuries, diseases and road traffic accidents.

It is a sad fact that many spinal injuries lead to paralysis, which can be devastating for everyone involved.

Injuries to the spine itself can range from being very minor to being extremely severe. Compensation, therefore, will be commensurate with the severity of damage to the spine and the long-term implications for the injured party.

Making a Spinal Injury Claim can provide compensation for:

Neck injuries
Fractures to the spinal column
Paraplegia – Involves injury to the spinal cord below thoracic spinal levels (T1-L5). People with injuries to this part of the spinal cord retain the full motor function of upper limbs. Some paraplegics will be completely paralysed from the waste down, while others will deal with more minor mobility issues.
Quadriplegia (also known as ‘Tetraplegia’) occurs when the injury is above the first thoracic vertebra, or within the cervical section of the spine and can result in loss of movement to all limbs.
Side effects

People suffering from a Spinal Cord Injury can find every-day living is affected in basic ways surrounding sensory and involuntary bodily functions such as touch, speech, sexual function, blood pressure regulation, temperature regulation, breathing and swallowing.

On top of the physical effects of damage to the spine, many sufferers also unfortunately experience emotional hardship as well. Recent studies point to around 20% of people suffering Spinal Cord Injury going on to experience clinical depression.

What are the main causes and results of spinal injuries?

The main causes of traumatic spinal cord injury are due to accidents such as falls from height, sporting injuries, and road traffic accidents.

Spinal Cord Injuries often carry the risk of developing further health complications which can be uncomfortable at best or life-threatening at worst, problems such as chronic pain, respiratory problems, muscle spasms, DVT, urinary tract infection & pressure ulcers.

According to WHO statistics, men aged between 20 – 29 and in older age at 70+ are most at risk of suffering traumatic spinal cord injury (spinal research org.). Women are most at risk in adolescence (aged 15 – 19) plus at older ages (60+), but with men suffering spinal injuries at rates generally around double that of females.

Do I have a time limit to make a Spinal Injury Claim?

All injury compensation claims made in the UK are subject to time limits. In most circumstances, the spine injury claims process must be started within 3 years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions, such as:

Undiscovered injury: if you weren’t aware of the full extent of your injury, you may make a claim up to 3 years from the date of discovery.
Injury to minors: if someone suffers a spinal injury as a minor, they may make a claim up to 3 years from their 18th birthday.
Criminal assault: injuries resulting from an assault or violent crime must be claimed for within 2 years.

Other factors may play a role in the time limit for your specific spinal cord injury claim. If you’re unsure about the validity of your claim, contact Lanyon Bowdler today for a no-obligation assessment of your case.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.

Martyn

via ReviewSolicitors

It is a pleasure to act as a case manager for clients represented by the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors. Lanyon Bowdler PI team are proactive and truly client centred. They understand the clients they represent and work tirelessly to achieve the best they can for them. Through collaborative working we have been able to achieve the best outcomes possible for our clients.

Rachel Dodwell

Community Case Management Services Ltd

As a case manager I work closely with litigation teams to ensure our clients get the expertise, support and care they need to bring them back to as close to their life pre-injury as possible. This is very often not an easy journey, and balancing the desires of the client to live their best life with collating and presenting the facts of how that life is altered, can be very challenging. Having worked alongside Lanyon Bowdler’s team for many years, I have noted it is always easier to strike this balance, when they are involved.

Shelley Lewis

AJ Case Management

Having worked with a succession of personal injury specialists at Lanyon Bowdler over the years, I have seen at first hand the top-flight legal expertise that they bring to every case and the commitment to obtaining the absolutely best result for every client. Equally importantly, I am struck by the compassion, empathy and humanity with which every client is treated. They go above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the very best representation.

Anthony Reddiford

Guildhall Chambers

The team at Lanyon Bowdler show an exceptional knowledge and understanding of their client’s needs, not just in terms of the claim that they lead, but also the emotional and personal experiences that they will have on that journey.

Jenny Whittall

JMW Ltd

Lanyon Bowdler provide seamless ongoing emotional support, information and guidance to their clients over what may be many years of a PI claim. This significantly helps mitigate the “stress” of a claim for their clients, and in my medicolegal experience puts them way ahead of other legal firms.

Professor Tony Elliott

Director UK Centre for Medico-Legal Studies

Contacted Lanyon Bowdler six months after an injury at work. They offered me several of their services, including no win no fee which I ended up choosing. The solicitor was extremely helpful, was always keeping me updated when there was news and answered promptly when asked for any updates or when I asked any questions. I was very happy with the final settlement and the advice I received proved to be the best for my case. I felt like the extra bit of care was extended to give me a good idea of the options I had to choose from which really helped to inform any decision.

Matthew

via ReviewSolicitors

From my initial approach to the final positive outcome I felt my solicitor was expending all his energy to win the case. I was kept informed throughout and was given straightforward advice on how to proceed. The end result was an acceptable outcome and the pay-out was prompt.

Eric

via ReviewSolicitors

Very friendly and quick to respond, highly recommend for anyone looking for legal advice.

Anonymous

via ReviewSolicitors

I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received over the past six years. I would highly recommend Lanyon Bowdler for legal requirements.

Jayne

via ReviewSolicitors

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael

via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston

Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones

via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric

via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins

via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson

Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather

via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker

Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer

UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett

via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim

via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd

Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown

via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe

via ReviewSolicitors

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne

Llanfyllin

Spinal Injury Claim Compensation Settlement Values

Calculating Compensation for a spinal Injury or a serious back injury is never straightforward. It may not be possible to value your claim for a significant amount of time following your injury until the full effects and any lasting impact on your mobility and quality of life can be understood. In cases such as this, interim payments forming part of your Spinal Injury Claim for compensation can be made in order to ensure you or a loved one are suitably catered for financially.

Obviously, for those people suffering the most serious of spinal injuries that could involve some form or paralysis, the potential need for home adaptations and care-packages must therefore also be considered.

General damages seek to compensate for the pain & suffering caused by the injury itself. Compensation values for general damages are stipulated by the Judicial College guidelines.

The information below reflect the current guidelines on compensation settlement amounts for pain and suffering caused by Spinal Injuries or back injuries.

Compensation settlement values for paralysis

Compensation for Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia: Spinal Injury Claim Compensation settlement values for these kinds of paralysis are contingent with the injured person experiencing ongoing physical pain, and whether the senses have been impaired, there is a lack of self-awareness, and whether life-expectancy has been cut short. The age of the injured person will also play a role. Compensation pay-outs should average £284,000 – £354,000.
Compensation for Paraplegia: Spinal Injury Claim Compensation for Paraplegia depends on numerous factors, such as; age of the injured person and any reduced life expectancy, impact on sexual function, the possibility of the degree of paralysis increasing in time, the possibility of leading an independent life, possible effects of depression and any ongoing sensations of physical pain. Compensation pay-outs should average £192,000-£250,000.

Compensation settlement values for severe back injuries

Compensation for back injuries that include some damage to the Spinal Cord or nerve fibres, such back injuries would include different combinations of physiological effects not seen in most back injuries. Compensation pay-outs would average £76,000 – £135,000.
Injuries that include distinct features that exclude them from the lower bracket of orthopaedic back injury. Physical impairments could include physical scarring, sexual dysfunction, bladder and bowel problems. The possibility of future surgery would also be a factor. Compensation Pay-outs would average between £62,000 – £74,000.
Injuries to intervertebral discs, including lesions, fractures. Where physical impairment and pain will remain even following treatments. Such cases would include impact on mobility, heightened risk of arthritis, psychological effects, and impact on employability. Compensation payouts for these kinds of back injuries could average £32,000 – £59,000.

Compensation settlement values for moderate back injuries

Such classification of an injury would obviously include those with ongoing or future physical impairments of less severity than those set out above. Examples of injuries that may fall into this bracket would include:

Prolapsed or damage spinal discs requiring surgery with nerve issues and the potential for slightly reduced mobility
Crush fracture injuries of the lumbar vertebrae giving rise to the potential for constant pain, or impairment with sexual function. Possibility of increased susceptibility to osteoarthritis
Cases where spinal fusion surgery may be required, i.e. Traumatic spondylolisthesis

Moderate back injury claims could see average compensation pay-outs in the region of £23,000 – £32,500.
Slightly less severe back injuries (but still categorised as moderate) can expect compensation claim settlement values of between £10,000 – £23,200. Injuries would include damage to muscles or ligaments in the back, soft tissue injuries that exacerbate pre-existing conditions, or injuries that lead to recurrences of problems such as repeated relapse of discs.

No Win No Fee Spinal Injury Claims

Each year Lanyon Bowdler supports people and families through making Spinal Injury Claims and on most occasions, we provide this service as “no win no fee”.

“No win no fee” means that if a Spinal Injury Claim proves unsuccessful, there is no financial risk or liability to you as the claimant.

Claiming Compensation For Spinal Injury

A spinal cord injury can be devastating, but compensation can be a huge help when trying to rebuild your life. Financial compensation can help to cover the cost of medical bills, care, rehabilitation, accommodation and equipment, as well as the pain and suffering and loss of earnings if you are no longer able to work.

Lanyon Bowdler’s Serious Injury Specialists have dealt with a wide range of severe injury claims over many years and have the knowledge and experience to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.

Contact our Spinal Injury Claim Solicitors

We strive to help make it possible for you to enjoy an independent life following a Spinal Cord Injury. Please give us a call for a friendly, confidential, chat about how we can help support you with a serious injury claim. There is no commitment or charge for our initial assessment. Please contact a member of the team or complete our online enquiry form.

Lanyon Bowdler have established offices with expert teams of solicitors in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy in North Wales.

We are among the most recognised law firms in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales, Birmingham and the Midlands. We are able to offer a wide range of pricing options including fixed fees and service level guarantees.

Our people

Meet the team.

Dawn Humphries

Partner

Personal Injury

Debbie Humphries

Partner

Personal Injury

Phillip Roberts

Partner

Personal Injury

Isabella Drummond

Paralegal Apprentice

Personal Injury | Medical Negligence

Amanda Clarke

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Helen Gale

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Kelly Gibbons

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Amy Burgoyne

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Karen Clarke

Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)

Personal Injury

Phyllis Smith

Senior Litigation Assistant

Personal Injury

Alexander Spanner

Associate Solicitor

Personal Injury

Morgan Thompson

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Cameron Petch

Legal Support Assistant

Personal Injury

Tabassum Jamil

Trainee Solicitor

Personal Injury

Jo Kneller

Solicitor

Personal Injury

Sarah Martin

Costs Draftsman

Medical Negligence | Personal Injury

Jane Miles

Associate Solicitor

Personal Injury

Andrew Morris

Trainee Costs Draftsman

Medical Negligence | Personal Injury

Miriam Homer

Solicitor

Personal Injury

David Hughes

Associate Costs Manager

Medical Negligence | Personal Injury

Knowledge

Latest knowledge.

Podcast

The Defiant Brain Injured Teenager: Dawn Humphries, Lucy Speed and Andrew Worthington

Brain injuries can have a huge impact on an individual. In this episode, special guest Professor Andrew Worthington from...

Published • 21 Oct 2024

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Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

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Alexander Spanner • 11 Oct 2024

Podcast

Fatal Accident Claims – What You Need to Know: Miriam Homer and Dawn Humphries

Discussion of fatal accident claims. These claims need to be made where there has been a loss of life. We talk about the...

Published • 07 Oct 2024

Podcast

How to Prove Negligence in Sporting Injuries: Alexander Spanner and Cameron Petch

Negligence claims in sporting activities and how certain levels of risks are applied to different sports. They discuss a...

Published • 30 Sep 2024

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National Road Victim Month – August 2024

As the summer holidays draw to a close and we approach the end of August, we also approach the end of National Road...

Debbie Humphries • 29 Aug 2024

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Busting Myths and Misconceptions about Pers...

With numerous myths surrounding the complexity, cost and time involved in bringing a personal injury claim, people ...

Claudia Booth • 22 Jul 2024

Podcast

The Process of Disclosure in Personal Injury Claims – Miriam Homer and Amy Burgoyne

They explain their roles, and the process of disclosure, where the parties involved exchange documents in relation to th...

Published • 09 Jul 2024

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The Most Important Law of Our Generation? –...

According to the Labour Force Survey for Great Britain during 2022/23, 561,000 workers were injured in the workplac...

Lauren McCarthy • 28 Jun 2024

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Health and Safety in Construction

As with many other areas of work, anyone deemed to be controlling a construction site has responsibilities to keep ...

Alexander Spanner • 27 Jun 2024

Blog

Who is Responsible for Injury Awareness?

In 2021/2022 health and safety statistics suggest that there were 565,000 injuries sustained at work, with 61,713 n...

Karen Clarke • 26 Jun 2024

Blog

Accidents at Work: Falls From Height

We've all seen action movies and spy dramas where the lead character takes a dramatic dive off a building or bridge...

Morgan Thompson • 25 Jun 2024

Blog

Workplace Injuries: HGV Drivers

Sometimes there is no claim, as the accident could be the fault of the driver, but often the employer, or the emplo...

Phillip Roberts • 24 Jun 2024