Neck Injury Claims
Claim Compensation for a Neck Injury
If you have suffered a neck injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Our expert solicitors explain your options and the process to making a claim.
“This is an excellent PI team, who are highly respected in the PI sector. Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients”
“Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.”
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Neck injury is a common problem. Two out of three people in the UK will experience neck pain and stiffness at some point in their lives. It’s not usually serious and most cases get better on their own or with simple treatments.
More serious neck injuries are a different story. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the spinal cord. An injury to this area can cause recurring pain and limit movement, leading to lost income if you are unable to work. In severe cases, it can result in permanent disability.
Neck injuries are especially common in car accidents and falls, but they can be caused by a wide variety of accidents. Our experts in personal injury claims are here to provide free and confidential advice on whether you are entitled to compensation for your injury.
Most neck injury claims are managed on a no win no fee basis and we support clients across England and Wales from our London office.
What are the common causes of a neck injury?
A person can sustain a neck injury in multiple ways:
- Vehicle accidents: The most common cause of neck injury is road accidents. The sudden impact of a car crash can cause the head to jolt backwards and forwards in a whip-like movement. This can cause the ligaments in the neck to stretch and tear resulting in whiplash injuries.
According to the Association of British Insurers, more than 1,500 whiplash injury compensation claims are made in the UK every single day.
- Cycling and motorcycling accident: While helmets can help reduce the risk of a serious cycling injury or motorcycling injury, they don’t completely protect the neck from sudden impacts. Even with helmets on, riders can experience neck injuries as their head hits the road.
- Slips and falls: A slip, trip or fall can result in a traumatic impact to the neck causing damage to the muscles, nerves, ligaments and/or bones. This type of injury is particularly common among the elderly but it can happen to anyone in a range of scenarios, like slipping on a wet supermarket floor or tripping over a loose paving slab.
- Accidents at work: Neck injuries can also happen in the workplace, especially in jobs that require heavy lifting, jobs that bring you into contact with forklifts and other vehicles, and jobs that necessitate working at height where falls from ladders or scaffolding can occur.
- Medical negligence: Neck injuries can also result fromsubstandard healthcare including chiropractic treatment. For example, missing a neck fracture can delay treatment and make a neck injury worse than it otherwise might have been, leading to a claim for medical negligence.
This is not a complete list. Everything from sports (especially extreme sports), to moped accidents while on holiday, to criminal assaults can cause neck injuries.
The important thing is that the accident was not your fault. If this is the case, then please speak to our personal injury lawyers about making a claim for compensation.
Do I have a valid neck injury claim?
You may be able to claim compensation if:
- Your neck injury was caused by an accident in the last three years
- Someone else was at fault for the accident
- The person responsible owed you a duty of care
In legal terms, duty of care means that someone has a legal responsibility to ensure your safety, or at least act in a reasonable way so as not to put you in danger. For example, drivers owe each other a duty of care to not drive recklessly and employers have a duty of care to keep employees safe at work.
Even if you might have had some role in the accident—for instance, if you weren’t wearing a bike helmet or you ignored a “wet floor” sign—you may still be able to claim. These scenarios often result in a contributory negligence settlement where your compensation is reduced by a certain percentage, reflective of your role in the accident.
What types of neck injuries can I claim for?
Sometimes, a neck injury can be a soft tissue injury, affecting the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine. A good example of this is whiplash. These injuries often are treated with rest and painkillers but in severe cases, can require many months or years of physiotherapy.
In other cases, damage may be caused to the bones in the neck. Injuries range from slipped and herniated discs to fractured vertebrae to cervical spondylosis where one or more of your vertebrae slip out of alignment or dislocate. It is common for nerves to get pinched or squeezed with these types of injuries, which can lead to chronic pain and numbness in the neck, arms or fingers.
Medical treatments for these types of injuries range from physical therapy to surgery.
The most severe neck injuries affect the spinal cord. Broadly, the greater the force of the impact the more likely that the injury will harm the structure of the spine. Paralysis and quadriplegia can occur when the spinal cord is partially or completely severed at the neck, and settlements for these life-changing injuries can reach six figures.
How much can I claim for a neck injury?
The amount of compensation you could claim for a neck injury will depend on various factors, including:
- The type of injury
- Length and severity of pain
- The impact the injury has had on your life, work and daily activities
- The prognosis for recovery
- Any financial losses you have incurred
Compensation is made up of two parts: general damages and special damages.
General damages are awarded for the pain and suffering caused by the injury and the impact it has on your life, for example, whether you have had to stop playing sports or a musical instrument you used to enjoy.
Special damages cover any financial losses resulting from your neck injury. This could include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain medications
- Physiotherapy costs
- Travel expenses to appointments
- Loss of earnings for time taken off work
- Future lost earnings if your injury has affected your ability to work in the future
It’s important to note that every case is unique and the amount you receive will depend on the specific details of your situation.
What is the average neck injury compensation award?
Guidelines for general damages are set out by the Judicial College, a department of the Ministry of Justice.
The Judicial College categorises neck injuries as minor, moderate or severe. Within those categories, each type of neck injury is given a range of compensation. For example:
- Whiplash with full recovery within 6 months may receive £2,090 to £3,710.
- Minor soft tissue, muscle and tendon damage that heals well in a few months may receive up to £6,680.
- A moderate neck injury causing spondylosis with recurring pain and limitation of movement may receive £12,900 to £23,460.
- A moderate-to-severe neck injury involving fractures or severe soft tissue damage leaving permanent symptoms may receive £38,800 to £47,760.
- A severe neck injury involving fractures and damage to the discs may receive Serious neck injury involving fractures or damage to discs may receive £56,100 to £111,690
It’s important to understand that these guidelines are only used as a starting point for negotiations. The final amount awarded will vary depending on individual circumstances and the quality of your legal representation.
A lawyer experienced in neck injury claims will be able to value your claim correctly and to secure the maximum amount of compensation to which you’re entitled.
How long do I have to make a neck injury claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to make a claim.
In medical negligence cases, the three-year time limit begins from the date you first became aware of your injury or illness, not when it initially occurred.
For claims involving children, the three-year time limit begins on the day of their 18th birthday so they have until their 21st birthday to make a claim.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you are unsure about whether you can make a claim, contact our team for free advice.
How do I start my neck injury claim?
To start you claim, get in touch. Just fill in the enquiry form below, and one of our personal injury lawyers will be in touch to arrange a time to speak with you. We can discuss your case in detail and provide a free assessment of your claim’s likelihood of success.
We’ll answer all your questions and there’s no pressure to work with us. So even if you’re not sure whether you want to make a neck injury claim, it’s worthwhile getting in touch for some free and honest advice about your rights.
Why choose Osbornes Law for your claim?
Our experienced personal injury solicitors have an excellent track record of winning neck injury claims. We have lawyers who specialise in all types of accidents and in medical negligence, so you will also be matched with the lawyer best suited to your needs.
We understand that suffering a neck injury can be a traumatic experience, which is why we handle each case with compassion and sensitivity while fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers are friendly and will guide you through your claim in plain English. Legal advice is only part of the story though. Our solicitors can also help you access support and rehabilitation care, so you can start your recovery as soon as possible.
With no win no fee, you can claim neck injury compensation without paying a penny out of pocket. If you win, you pay an agreed percentage of your compensation. If your claim is not successful, you pay nothing.
What other types of injuries can I claim for?
We have helped clients claim compensation for a wide range of injuries including:
Osbornes prepares cases well; the whole team is good and lawyers there know their stuff.
They deal with people compassionately and take on the right amount of detail. The firm has some really brilliant key solicitors.
The personal injury team is responsive and its level of service towards clients and other professionals is exceptional and high quality
The team offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims and regularly acts for foreign nationals.
It has considerable experience in cases arising from motor accidents and accidents at work
Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.
Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients from partner level to paralegal. Their client care is exceptional.
They are a team who are highly respected in the PI sector.
This is an excellent PI team doing a broad range of PI work.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims, with notable strength in acting for European clients for whom English is not a first language.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims.
"Osbornes always provides work of excellent quality and the advice is sound."
"The firm has the ability to handle the most sophisticated and complex matters."
"Osbornes is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes."
'The team deals with multi-million pound, often multifaceted claims, involving such factors as severe brain, psychiatric, gynaecological and spinal injury, major trauma, amputation and fatality.'
"They are a boutique firm with highly experienced partners who are well-respected in the industry."
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"A really first-rate team, well capable of dealing with the most serious and complex injuries."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
