If you've suffered nerve damage in an accident that wasn't your fault, you should be entitled to make a nerve injury compensation claim.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Nerve Injury Claims
A nerve injury can cause chronic pain, muscle weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, and paralysis. If somebody else was at fault for the injury, you may be eligible to make a nerve injury claim for compensation.
Nerve damage can happen in many situations, including road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, slips and trips, and violent assaults. It can also occur due to medical negligence, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, or incorrect handling during childbirth.
To find out if you have a valid nerve injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 for a free case assessment or request a call back.
Key points about nerve injury claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you suffered nerve damage due to an accident or medical negligence.
- Negligence: Nerve injuries can result from various accidents, including surgical errors, accidents at work, or failure to diagnose conditions correctly.
- Time Limit: You usually have three years from the date of injury or knowledge of the injury to make a claim.
- Compensation: Compensation will depend on the type and extent of the nerve injury, and may include loss of sensation, mobility, income and quality of life.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will provide a no win no fee service, meaning you won’t pay a fee unless your case succeeds.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a nerve injury claim?
If you suffered nerve damage that you believe was caused by another person, you might be able to start a personal injury claim. As a general rule, you should be able to start your claim if:
- You suffered a nerve injury in the last three years.
- The damage caused you physical pain or psychological distress.
- Another person was partially or entirely responsible for your injury.
- That person owed you a duty of care.
A free consultation with a personal injury solicitor is usually enough to understand whether you are eligible for compensation.
Who could be liable for a nerve injury compensation claim?
Various parties could be responsible for a nerve damage injury, depending on the circumstances of your accident. These include:
- Your employer, if a workplace accident caused your injury due to unsafe conditions or failure to follow health and safety regulations.
- A driver or another road user, if they caused a road traffic accident by acting recklessly or dangerously.
- The local authorities, if they failed to maintain a road, footpath, park, school or another public space.
- A business owner, if you were injured on their premises due to an unsafe environment.
- A manufacturer, if your injury was caused by a defective product, such as a faulty vehicle, furniture or medical implant.
Is there a time limit to make a nerve injury compensation claim?
The time limit to make a claim for nerve damage is usually three years from the date of the injury. There are several exceptions to this limitation period:
- Claims for children under 18 years of age can usually be made by a parent or litigation friend at any point up to the child’s 18th birthday, after which the child will have three years to bring a claim in their own right.
- The usual time limit may not apply where a claim is brought by a litigation friend on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity.
- Claims related to assaults can be brought through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) within two years after the incident.
- Military personnel may have up to 7 years to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), depending on the circumstances.
What should I do if I suffer nerve damage as a result of an accident?
You should take the following steps following the accident that caused your injury:
- Take photographs of the accident scene and the contributing hazards.
- Take pictures of any visible injuries.
- Get the names and contact details of any witnesses to your accident.
- Seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
- Get the names and wards of the medical staff that treated you.
- Write details about your injury and how it affected your life.
- Keep proof of all the related financial losses and expenses.
- Contact a specialist solicitor for a free case assessment.
If you are eligible to claim for nerve injury, your solicitor will also arrange a free consultation with an independent medical expert to assess the full impact on your life. They will then start the claims process and negotiate a settlement with the defendant.
How much compensation can I claim for a nerve injury?
Your solicitor will also aim to secure the maximum compensation amount for your injury, which will cover two types of damages:
- General damages relate to the physical and psychological impact of your injury and cover pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Special damages are awarded to cover the financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result, such as private treatments, mobility aids and loss of earnings.
According to our personal injury compensation calculator and current guideline figures from the Judicial College (18th Edition), you could receive:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Bladder Injuries | Total loss of bowel and bladder function and control | Up to £243,000 |
| Total loss of bladder function and control | Up to £186,000 | |
| Back Injuries | A severe back injury with spinal cord and nerve root damage, causing pain, disability and bladder, bowel and sexual impairment | £120,000 - £213,000 |
| A serious back injury causing nerve root damage, loss of sensation and some impairment to mobility, bladder, bowel and sexual function | £98,000 - £117,000 | |
| Bowel Injuries | Total loss of bowel function | Up to £198,000 |
| Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Severe CRPS with intense burning pain, poor prognosis, major work and daily life impact, and possible spread to other limbs | £69,000 - £111,000 |
| Moderate CRPS with prolonged symptoms, a fair prognosis, possible return to work and limited future care needs | £37,000 - £69,000 | |
| Fractured Nose | Serious or multiple nose fractures requiring surgery and/or causing permanent airway damage, breathing difficulty, nerve damage or deformity | £14,000 - £31,000 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Psychiatric damage affecting life, education, work and relationships, but with good improvement and prognosis | £7,700 - £25,000 |
Can I claim for a nerve injury with no win no fee?
If you sustained nerve damage in an accident that wasn’t your fault, your solicitor will help you claim on a no win no fee basis. That means you can take legal action regardless of your financial background and without any risk:
- You do not have to pay any upfront solicitor fees.
- You do not have to pay your solicitor anything if your case fails.
- If your claim is successful, you pay them a success fee deducted from your compensation, subject to a legal cap of up to 25% on certain parts of your damages.
What are the main causes of nerve damage injury claims?
Nerve damage can happen in many ways and can entitle you to make a personal injury claim if it was caused by another party. Common causes include:
- Bone fractures and dislocations that could potentially damage a nerve that travels close to the bone or joint.
- Penetrating injuries from sharp objects, car accidents, falls, assaults, or animal attacks that reach deep enough to damage nerves.
- Electric shocks cause cellular damage and burn the nerve tissues, leading to temporary or permanent damage.
- Laceration injuries from road traffic accidents or machinery accidents can damage underlying nerves and may require surgery to reconnect severed nerve endings.
- Burn injuries that are deep enough to reach the nerve endings and cause long-term symptoms such as tingling, shooting pains, or permanent loss of sensation.
- Compression and trauma, such as crush injuries, herniated discs, whiplash injuries or pinched nerves due to manual handling, falls from a height or road traffic accidents.
Can I claim for a nerve injury caused by medical negligence?
You may be eligible to make a nerve damage compensation claim if your injury was caused by negligent medical treatment, such as:
- Childbirth negligence caused a brachial plexus injury and resulted in Erb’s palsy.
- Negligent surgery causing nerve damage from anaesthesia or surgical instruments.
- The accidental injection of antibiotics, analgesics and other drugs into or near a nerve.
- Delays in providing treatment or diagnosing ischaemia after a fracture.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome.
- Dental negligence during tooth extractions or dental implants.
Your solicitor will consult with a medicolegal expert and gather relevant evidence to show that:
- A healthcare professional breached their duty of care towards you.
- The substandard care caused a preventable nerve injury.
- You suffered damages such as pain, suffering and financial losses as a result.
What are the symptoms of nerve damage?
A nerve injury can cause a wide array of symptoms, depending on the location and type of nerves that are affected. These can be temporary or permanent and include:
- Dizziness or fainting when standing.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, vomiting, or heartburn.
- Abnormal sweating (too much or too little).
- Rapid heart rate and shortness of breath.
- Painful cramps.
- Muscle loss or weakness.
- Tics or involuntary muscle twitching.
- Paralysis.
- A general sense of numbness.
- Pain and oversensitivity.
- Tingling, prickling or burning sensations.
- Loss of balance and other problems with positional awareness.
Nerve damage can significantly impact your quality of life and affect your work, daily activities, and relationships. For general information on symptoms and treatment, you can read the NHS guidance on peripheral neuropathy.
What treatments are available for nerve injuries?
Every nerve injury is different, and treatment will depend on its type and severity. The most common treatment options are:
- Medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs, oral corticosteroids or steroid injections to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles, improve mobility and support nerve healing.
- Wearing a splint or collar to limit motion and allow muscles to rest.
- Ergonomic adjustments, such as special chairs, desks, or keyboards to reduce nerve pressure.
- Diet changes and vitamin supplements, if the injury was caused by a vitamin deficiency, such as B12.
- More severe problems that do not respond to other treatments may need surgical intervention.
