You could be entitled to make a no win no fee paralysis compensation claim if your injury was caused by somebody else's negligence.
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Paralysis Claims
Paralysis is a life-changing condition that can significantly impact your mobility, independence, work and day-to-day life. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a paralysis claim for compensation.
Paralysis injuries can be caused by various situations, including road traffic accidents, accidents at work and medical negligence. If another party caused the accident, a specialist solicitor can help you to secure compensation for your pain, suffering and long-term care needs.
For a free consultation with a legal adviser, call 0800 470 0472 or enter your details to receive a call back. They can let you know if you are eligible for paralysis compensation and answer any questions you might have about the claims process.
Key points about paralysis claims
- Eligibility: You may be eligible to claim if your paralysis was caused by a serious accident or medical negligence.
- Duty of Care: Employers, medical professionals, and others must take steps to prevent life-altering injuries.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the incident or diagnosis to make a claim, subject to some exceptions.
- Compensation: Can include lifelong care, specialist equipment, lost income, and quality-of-life adjustments.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will pursue your case on a no win, no fee basis — so you won’t pay a penny unless the claim succeeds.
Table of Contents
What is a paralysis claim?
A paralysis claim is a personal injury claim made when someone becomes paralysed because of another party’s negligence. Paralysis occurs when the brain, spinal cord or nerves are damaged, leading to a loss of movement, sensation or control in part of the body.
If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, you could make a paralysis compensation claim. This guide explains who may be liable for your injury, how to start a claim and what compensation amount you could receive.
Am I eligible to make a paralysis claim for compensation?
You could claim compensation for paralysis if the following criteria apply to your case:
- The party you hold responsible for your injury owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty by acting negligently.
- Their negligence has led to an accident or incident.
- You suffered a paralysis injury as a result of this within the past three years.
The easiest way to find out if you are eligible for paralysis compensation is through a free consultation over the phone with a personal injury solicitor.
Who may be responsible for paying your paralysis compensation?
Depending on the circumstances of care, a duty of care and liability for your injury could fall on various parties, including:
- Your employer – The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on employers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of employees at work. That includes providing a safe working environment and appropriate training and equipment.
- A premises owner – The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 imposes a duty of care on occupiers of premises to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of visitors and keep them safe from injury.
- A driver or road user – The Road Traffic Act 1988 imposes a duty of care on drivers to drive safely and within the law, with particular attention to other road users.
- A product manufacturer – The Consumer Protection Act 1987 places a duty on manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use and won’t cause injury.
- A healthcare provider – All medical professionals owe their patients a legal duty of care to provide a reasonable standard of skill and knowledge.
What are the time limits for claiming paralysis compensation?
Generally, you have three years to make a claim for compensation, starting from the date of the accident that left you paralysed or the date you first became aware that your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. Exceptions to the three-year limitation date include:
- A parent or legal guardian could make a child injury claim at any time before the child turns 18.
- There is no time limit for a litigation friend to make a paralysis compensation claim on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity.
- If you were injured while serving in the military, you may have up to seven years to make a compensation claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), depending on the circumstances of your case.
- The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) imposes a two-year time limit to start a criminal injury claim following a violent crime.
What do I need to claim paralysis injury compensation?
To be able to claim compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault, you need supporting evidence, such as:
- Medical records, diagnostic tests such as X-rays and expert assessments.
- Photographs of the accident scene and the contributing hazards.
- A copy of an accident report, police report or investigation reports from the HSE.
- CCTV or dash cam footage of the accident, if available.
- Statements from witnesses.
- Proof of financial losses.
All you need to do to start your claim is to contact a specialist paralysis solicitor. They will help you gather any evidence you might be missing and contact the defendant to inform them of your legal case and the compensation you seek.
If liability is admitted, your solicitor will work to negotiate the maximum amount of compensation for you. If the defendant denies it, your solicitor will issue court proceedings, but most claims (over 97%) are settled before trial.
How much is a paralysis compensation claim worth?
The amount of compensation you deserve if you have been affected by paralysis will depend on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. Your claim will be calculated by considering two types of damages:
- General damages refer to compensation for the actual physical injury and the subjective losses it has caused, such as pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and disability.
- Special damages compensate for any financial losses that you suffered because of your injury, including loss of earnings, rehabilitation, care costs and mobility aids.
If you make a successful claim, you could receive the following awards, in line with the current guideline figures from the Judicial College (18th Edition):
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Paralysis | Shorter-term paraplegia | In the region of £65,000 |
| Paraplegia | £289,000 - £376,000 | |
| Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia | £429,000 - £534,000 |
Am I eligible to make a No Win No Fee paralysis claim?
If you or a loved one has suffered paralysis and you are entitled to claim, our team of solicitors will happily offer you a no win no fee agreement. This means that:
- They agree to take on the case without any upfront fees.
- You can start your claim regardless of your financial situation and with no risks.
- If you win, your solicitor will receive a success fee of up to 25% of certain parts of your compensation.
- If you lose, you won’t pay anything and will not be left out of pocket.
What are the different types of paralysis?
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move or control a part of the body. The different forms of paralysis are classified based on the specific body parts affected and the underlying cause:
Based on the level of nerve damage, there is:
- Complete paralysis, where there is no movement and no sensation in the affected area.
- Incomplete paralysis, when some movement, sensation or function remains (also known as paresis).
Based on the area of the body that is affected, there can be:
Localised paralysis, also known as focal paralysis, affects a specific area of the body, such as the face, vocal cords, feet or hands. It is caused by nerve damage, often due to stroke, nerve injuries, spinal cord injuries, and certain neurological disorders.
Generalised paralysis affects larger areas of the body and is caused by a brain or spinal cord injury. Examples of generalised paralysis include:
- Monoplegia – the paralysis of one limb, such as an arm or leg.
- Hemiplegia – it affects one side of the body, including the arm, leg, and sometimes the face.
- Paraplegia – it affects the lower half of the body, including the legs and possibly the hips and pelvic organs.
- Quadriplegia – the paralysis of all four limbs, as well as the torso.
The type and severity of your paralysis will determine how much compensation you are entitled to receive if you win your claim.
What are the consequences of paralysis?
A paralysis injury can have a significant impact on a person’s life, both physically and emotionally. It can result in the loss of sensation, movement, and control in the affected area, leading to:
- Increased dependence on others for assistance, a loss of autonomy and mobility.
- Needing assistance with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- The need for assistive devices such as wheelchairs or walkers to aid mobility.
- Emotional and mental health issues and feelings of loss, frustration, and social isolation.
- Financial strain due to the cost of medical treatment, assistive devices, and ongoing care.
- Loss of earning capacity, financial stability, and sense of independence.
Overall, the effects of paralysis can be far-reaching and life-changing. If you suffered paralysis due to the negligence of another party, a solicitor could help you seek compensation for the subjective and financial impact on your life.
What are the most common causes of paralysis injuries?
Many different circumstances could result in serious injuries that may cause paralysis, including:
If your injury was due to faulty equipment, inadequate training or other types of negligence, you may be able to claim compensation.
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards.
- Provide proper training and supervision.
- Maintain good housekeeping.
- Keep all equipment and machinery in good working condition.
- Provide free and suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Surgical errors, such as accidental damage to the spinal cord.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions such as stroke.
- Medication and anaesthesia errors that cause nerve damage.
- Failure to monitor patients, resulting in untreated complications.
If your injury could have been avoided with proper care and treatment, you could make a claim for medical negligence.
Can I make a paralysis claim on behalf of someone else?
If a loved one was paralysed in an accident that was not their fault, you could make a paralysis injury claim on their behalf. To do so, you must apply to the court to become their litigation friend.
- A litigation friend will usually claim on behalf of:
- A child under 18.
- An adult who lacks the mental capacity to claim due to a brain injury or a pre-existing condition such as Down syndrome.
Read more: What is a litigation friend?
How long will my paralysis injury claim take?
Typically, straightforward cases with no disputes can take several months to settle, while more complex claims could take several years.
Your solicitor can provide you with an estimated timeframe based on the specific circumstances of your case and keep you updated on the progress of your claim.
Read more: How long does a personal injury claim take?
If you suffered an injury that led to paralysis, call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back. A friendly solicitor will assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve if you have grounds to start a claim.
