Paralysis Compensation Claims

A guide to claiming compensation for paralysis

Suffering paralysis can turn your world upside down in an instant, affecting every aspect of your daily life from mobility and independence to career prospects and relationships. When this devastating injury occurs due to someone else’s negligence, understanding your rights is crucial for securing the financial support you need for your future.

A paralysis compensation claim can provide the resources necessary to cover immediate medical costs, ongoing care requirements, home adaptations, and lost income over your lifetime. However, navigating the complexity of personal injury claims requires specialist knowledge and expertise.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a successful paralysis compensation claim, from understanding whether you are eligible to working with our expert personal injury solicitors.

What is a paralysis compensation claim?

A paralysis compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim against the party responsible for causing your paralysis injury through negligence or misconduct. The aim is to seek compensation for the devastating impact paralysis has on your life, covering both immediate costs and long-term care needs.

Definition of paralysis

Paralysis refers to the loss of muscle function in part or all of the body, typically resulting from damage to the spinal cord or brain. The condition can range from partial paralysis (paresis), where some muscle function remains, to complete paralysis (plegia), where all movement is lost in the affected area.

The impact on daily life is profound. Simple tasks like getting dressed, preparing meals, or moving around your home become significant challenges requiring adaptations, equipment, or care assistance. Many people who have suffered paralysis find themselves unable to return to their previous employment, affecting their financial security for life.

How paralysis compensation claims work

When paralysis occurs due to someone else’s negligence, the law recognises your right to claim compensation from the responsible party. This principle requires proof that the defendant had a duty of care toward you, breached that duty through negligent actions, and directly caused your paralysis injury as a result.

Our personal injury solicitors work to prove negligence as well calculating the full extent of your losses. The claims process involves gathering comprehensive medical evidence, expert testimony, and financial documentation to build a compelling case to maximise compensation.

Common causes of paralysis compensation claims

Understanding the most frequent causes of paralysis injuries helps identify when third party negligence may be involved and compensation claims are possible.

• Car Accidents
• Cycling Accidents
• Motorcycling Accidents
• Accidents at Work
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Falls from Height
• Sports Injuries
• Criminal Assault

Can medical mistakes lead to a paralysis compensation claim?

Medical professionals have a duty of care to provide treatment that meets accepted medical standards. Paralysis can result from medical negligence including:

• Surgical errors during spinal (including Cauda Equina Syndrome operations) or brain operations
• Anesthesia mistakes leading to oxygen deprivation
• Delayed diagnosis of serious conditions affecting the spinal cord
• Medication errors causing neurological damage
• Birth injuries resulting in cerebral palsy or spinal damage

Medical negligence claims require extensive expert medical testimony to prove that the treatment fell below acceptable professional standards.

Am I eligible to make a paralysis compensation claim?

Not every paralysis injury leads to a claim. To succeed, three key points must be proven:

Duty of Care

The other party must have owed you a duty of care. For example:

• Drivers must drive according to the law.
• Employers must provide a safe workplace.
• Doctors must deliver care that meets professional standards.

Breach of Duty

You must show that this duty was broken, such as unsafe driving, poor workplace practices, or substandard medical care.

Causation

Finally, it must be clear that the breach directly caused your paralysis. This is supported by medical records, expert evidence and witness testimony.

How long do I have to make a claim?

Generally, you have three years from:

• The date of the accident causing your injury
• The date you became aware that your paralysis was caused by negligence

However, special circumstances can affect these time limits:

• Claims for children can be made until their 21st birthday
• People lacking mental capacity may have extended time limits
• Family members can make claims on behalf of those unable to act themselves

Given these strict time limits, it is import to seek legal advice as soon as possible after discovering negligence caused your paralysis.

Real life example

• Osbornes Law, secured a multi-million pound settlement for Rose, a 63-year-old retired social worker, after her local hospital failed to diagnose serious spinal fractures, leaving her paralysed. Read about the case here.

How do I make a claim: What is the process?

Making a paralysis claim can feel overwhelming, but knowing the steps can help you feel more prepared.

Step 1: Free Consultation

Your solicitor will review your accident, assess the strength of your claim, explain the process and funding options (including no win, no fee), and guide you on next steps.

Step 2: Gathering Evidence

This includes medical records, independent expert reports, accident details, witness statements and financial evidence. Strong evidence is key to proving your case.

Step 3: Submitting the Claim

Your solicitor sends a formal claim to the other party’s insurers, setting out what happened, medical evidence, financial losses and why they are legally responsible.

Step 4: Negotiation & Settlement

Most cases settle without going to court. Your legal team will negotiate using expert evidence to secure the best possible compensation for your future care and needs.

Step 5: Interim Payments

If your needs are urgent, courts can order early payments to cover treatment, care, home adaptations or specialist equipment while your case is ongoing.

Step 6: Court Proceedings (if needed)

Only a small number of claims go to trial. If yours does, your solicitors will represent you, present medical evidence and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How much compensation can you claim for paralysis?

Paralysis compensation payouts can be substantial, reflecting the life-changing nature of these injuries and the extensive support required throughout your lifetime. The amount of compensation you could claim will depend on the severity of your injury, how much pain you have suffered, and how much support you will require in the future.

Judicial College guidelines for general damages

The Judicial College provides guidelines that courts use when assessing compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity in paralysis cases. These figures reflect compensation for the injury itself, known as general damages.

For paraplegia, awards are typically around £219,070. Cases of complete tetraplegia attract the highest awards, ranging from £324,600 to £403,990, while incomplete tetraplegia usually falls between £219,070 and £324,600. For those affected by hemiplegia (paralysis down one side of the body), the guideline range is £139,880 to £219,070.

It is important to remember that these figures only cover general damages. In many cases, total compensation will be much higher once special damages are included, covering essential costs such as care, rehabilitation, home adaptations and loss of earnings.

• Also read: NHS Compensation Payouts Guide

Why choose our expert lawyers?

Here’s why spinal-injured clients work with us:

• Our lawyers act exclusively for individuals who have suffered paralysis due to personal injury or medical negligence.
• A reputation for exceptional success, winning seven or eight-figure compensation payments in serious paralysis claims.
• Compassionate and thorough support: we will always treat you and your family with dignity and respect.
• Approved lawyers for the Spinal Injuries Association.
• Consistently rated highly by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for our reputation as spinal cord injury and back injury specialists.
• ‘No win, no fee‘ funding agreements.
• We are committed to accessibility and can visit you at home or in hospital.