Supporting clients following a spinal injury 

We are proud to have an inhouse rehabilitation and wellbeing team that supports our clients from day one with severe injuries such as spinal injuries. Leading this team is Julie Chorlton, an accomplished and respected Clinical Lead and Rehabilitation Specialist with 40 years of experience. Julie and her team work hard to help clients recover, rebuild and thrive. In this article for spinal cord injury awareness day we explore: 

• Julie’s experience and how this supports her role 
• The philosophy of our rehabilitation and wellbeing   
• How Julie and her team support clients throughout the legal process 

Spinal cord injury claims 

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day is an opportunity to highlight not only the realities of living with a spinal injury, but also the importance of the right support from the very beginning.  

At Fletchers Solicitors, we act for clients who have sustained spinal injuries in life‑changing circumstances, combining specialist legal expertise with early, practical rehabilitation support. One of our clients was a young roofer who suffered a life‑changing spinal injury after falling from scaffolding, leaving him wheelchair dependent and facing significant adjustments to daily life. Through the case, a substantial settlement of almost £2.7 million was secured, enabling the client to access specialist rehabilitation, physiotherapy and essential home adaptations to support long‑term independence and recovery. The support of our in-house rehabilitation team meant this client was supported, both legally and within his wellbeing, from the beginning. 

By working collaboratively with our in‑house rehabilitation and wellbeing team, our legal experts focus on more than securing compensation; we help clients and their families navigate life after spinal injury with dignity, clarity and long‑term support. 

Supporting clients through life-changing spinal injuries 

At Fletchers Solicitors, every case is more than legal paperwork, it’s about helping people navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives. For Julie Chorlton, our Lead Rehabilitation and wellbeing manager, this philosophy lies at the heart of everything she does. 

Julie is a Registered General Nurse (RGN) registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), so her work focuses on supporting clients who have experienced life-changing injuries such as spinal cord injuries, guiding them and their families alongside the legal process while ensuring they access the support and rehabilitation they need. With over 40 years of experience, the client is at the core of what she does, and she will take time to get to know the client and identify where she can help. 

Julie has supported clients with brain, spinal and orthopaedic injuries as well as offering guidance to clients’ families when their relative is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  

Walking beside clients every step of the way   

Once Julie has received the client referral from the legal team and has the client’s consent to contact them, she will reach out to the client to see how she can assist. This can involve anything from listening to a client to providing them with signposting advice to charities or other agencies. Clients are often not aware of the support or benefits they are entitled to and advice can be provided on this. 

Discharge from hospital can be a very worrying time for the client and the family and Julie can assist with this by liaising directly with the hospital discharge team. An example of this is liaising with a service provider for a client to stay in the facility for longer until a stairlift was installed at home. 

“I absolutely love my job with no 2 days ever being the same. I am so lucky that I get to speak to such a wide range of people. I love speaking to the legal team when they call me to see if there is anything my team can do to help. In my role I deal with many internal stakeholders including the Compliance Team, Charities and Partnerships and the Marketing Team. I love going to events organized by the spinal injuries’ association and CBIT, supporting the work of these charities. Last summer I had the pleasure of attending a day out at Colchester Zoo with one of the C and P Team. Fletchers purchased tickets to Colchester Zoo for 6 CBIT children and their families. The sun shone and copious amounts of ice cream was consumed!” shares Julie. 

Her proactive approach often involves working closely with families, coordinating with multiple professionals, and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Julie is known for going above and beyond, making sure clients feel supported not just legally, but in all aspects of their recovery. 

Each client is an individual and different. Some clients just require one call, and other clients may need regular weekly support calls or face to face visit from one of the team. No matter the need, if it will support a client’s recovery our team are always on hand to support. 

Helping clients Recover, Rebuild, and Thrive 

The work of Julie and her team is a cornerstone of our “Recover, Rebuild, Thrive” philosophy. By combining practical support with advocacy and guidance, she helps clients regain independence and work toward long-term wellbeing, prioritising what matters to the client most. 

‘I am in my ideal job, and it is a privilege to see clients who are often in despair with no hope when I am first involved with them to then with support move on and live life once more. I feel that the Rehabilitation team works in real partnership with the legal team gaining the best possible outcome for the client. 

Whether it’s coordinating rehabilitation services, helping with benefits claims, or simply offering reassurance, Julie ensures each client has the resources and support they need to move forward. 

Support after a spinal injury  

If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal injury, you don’t have to face the journey alone. At Fletchers Solicitors, our specialist legal teams work alongside an in-house rehabilitation and wellbeing team from day one, ensuring clients receive practical, emotional, and clinical support alongside their legal case. This Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, we are proud to recognise the vital role rehabilitation plays in helping people recover, rebuild and thrive. Find out how our integrated approach can support you at every stage, and how we put people at the heart of everything we do. 

If you need legal support following a spinal injury, contact our team today.