Quality of life after a spinal cord injury

If you are a victim of a spinal cord injury, there is little doubt about the significant impact this will have on your life.In addition to any long-lasting physical change, the life you had built may now stand on a knife edge. Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury can be difficult, but with the right support, you can regain independence and improve the quality of your life.

Rest assured, Fletchers Solicitors has more than 30-years’ experience in securing traumatic spinal cord injuries compensation across the UK.

As well as this, we have formed formidable partnerships with spinal injury charities over the years, including:

• Aspire
• The Backup Trust
• Sia

When dealing with acute spinal cord injury symptoms, we appreciate that you will have many questions that need answering.From how far back you can claim, to the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, the questions stack up while the answers seem far away.

Here, we will aim to provide you with the answers you’ve been looking for. Read on to find out how you can claim compensation with a dedicated spinal cord injury lawyer.

Life after a spinal cord injury

Rebuilding your life following a spinal cord injury is a fantastic achievement that should not be downplayed.

The life you build will invariably be different, as an acute traumatic spinal cord injury will bring changes to your routine and adaptations will need to be made. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling and rewarding future.

In our thirty years of securing spinal injury compensation, we have come to understand the nuances and needs of our spinal cord injury clients. We are continually building strong bonds with our clients who have experienced serious to catastrophic injuries, helping them to achieve a higher quality of life after damaging their spinal cords.

How does a spinal cord injury affect the body?

A spinal cord injury can lead to a cascade of changes across multiple body systems. The effects vary depending on the level and completeness of the injury – i.e. how much of the spinal cord is damaged. 

Below are some common impacts to the body after a spinal cord injury:

• Loss of motor control below the injury site
• Loss or alteration of sensation
• Spasticity of involuntary muscle contractions
• Blood pressure regulation problems
• Heart rate irregularities
• Thermoregulation difficulties
• Compromised breathing muscles requiring assisted ventilation
• Reduced cardiovascular fitness
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Sexual and reproductive challenges

In addition to physical impacts, there may also be emotional and psychological consequences. This can include:

• Depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorders
• Feelings of independence loss, altered identity, or social isolation
• Cognitive effects in cases where head injury has occurred

Can someone with a spinal cord injury walk again?

Whether someone can walk again after a spinal cord injury depends on the location and severity of the damage. The spinal cord is divided into regions which include the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (pelvic). Injuries higher up the cord typically cause more extensive paralysis, while lower injuries may leave some movement or sensation intact.

There are two main types of spinal cord injury – complete and incomplete. Each has its own symptoms and factors that will determine whether walking again is a possibility. With an incomplete spinal cord injury, rehabilitation can sometimes lead to improved strength, coordination, and in rare cases, the ability to walk again with assistance. 

It’s important to remember that recovery varies greatly between individuals. Most patients will need to use mobility aids, but advances in spinal cord treatments are growing and continuing to help people after a spinal cord injury. 

What is life expectancy after a spinal cord injury?

Life expectancy after a spinal cord injury has improved dramatically in recent years, thanks to better emergency care, infection control, and ongoing rehabilitation, as well as advances in technology and medical science. Many people with spinal cord injuries now live long, fulfilling lives.

Some studies have suggested that people with severe spinal injuries may have a slightly shorter average lifespan than the general population. However, many individuals live for decades after injury with the right care and adaptations. Advances in medicine,assistive technology, and rehabilitation continue to close this gap. 

At Fletchers Solicitors, we’ve supported many clients to live full, rewarding lives after a spinal cord injury. Access to compensation can make a great difference to quality of life after a spinal cord injury, with help towards rehabilitation, psychological support, and adaptations.

What spinal cord injuries can you claim for?

Spinal cord injuries can happen in a matter of seconds, often during everyday activities or accidents that could not have been predicted. Understanding how these injuries occur is the first step in identifying who may be responsible and whether you could be entitled to compensation. At Fletchers, our serious injury specialists have decades of experience helping clients who have suffered spinal injuries in many different circumstances.

Road traffic accident spinal injuries

Road traffic accidents can result in debilitating spinal injuries, including acute spinal cord injury symptoms. It’s important to know that a claim with Fletchers Serious Injury doesn’t only extend to vehicle drivers. Motorcyclists, pedestrians and innocent bystanders can all be affected by spinal injuries, and we have years of experience representing these cases.

Spinal injuries from sport

Some of the most life-altering traumatic spinal cord injuries can be a result of sporting accidents. If you are a victim of a spinal injury as a result of your sport or hobby, and this has impacted on your quality of life, we have a proven track record in representing the below areas and many more:

• Gymnastic spinal injuries
• Horse riding spinal injuries
• Skiing or snowboarding spinal injuries

Accident at work spinal injury

A spinal injury because of an accident at work can have a negative impact on your future if you’re left to fight for justice all on your own.

The workplace should never be unsafe, even if you’re handling heavy or dangerous mechanical equipment. If you have experienced a spinal injury at work, our solicitors can help you.

Spinal injuries abroad

A slip, trip or fall on holiday or abroad can impact your quality of life, especially when your spine is injured.

Acquiring an injury abroad that wasn’t your fault, can be processed through our specialist travel litigation team. When progressing with this type of claim, the more evidence you have, the better chance there is in securing the spinal injury compensation you deserve.

How is working with a specialist solicitor beneficial?

The benefit of working with an experienced legal advisor after a spinal cord injury is that all the stress and uncertainty of processing your claim is taken away.

Spinal injuries are not straight forward. They can impact on your entire spine, or different sections independently. For you, the victim, the main point is knowing Fletchers Serious Injury have extensive experience in this area.

The key is finding a solicitor that can tend to your direct needs. So, if you’ve suffered a spinal injury, we’ll aim to get you the best compensation.

Spinal cord injury claim success story

Following a road traffic accident, Jack suffered a serious spinal cord injury that meant he had to learn how to live life again differently; in a wheelchair.

Represented by our Chief Legal Officer, Adrian Denson, Jack not only received a substantial amount of compensation for his injuries, he also discovered a love for a new sport, wheelchair basketball.

“A professional recommended Fletchers to us. We hadn’t even thought about solicitors or a claim, but he advised us things might get costly. When we met Fletchers they were just down to earth and friendly. Everything was about you. Aidey and Aimee came to meet me and got me everything I needed.”

We take your spinal cord injury representation seriously

Naturally, there’s some red tape to cut through when it comes to spinal cord injury claims, but we know how to handle that.

As acute traumatic spinal cord injury specialists, we’ve been dealing with spinal injury claims for over thirty years.

• We’ll make sure we’re visible and available to talk, day and night
• You will deal with people, not just an automated response
• An insistence on specialist care, including any rehabilitation costs or equipment is covered
• Support to help cover any loss of earnings
• Walk you through the potential scenarios and hurdles ahead and make sure you’re informed each step of the journey

At Fletchers, our solicitors will place your wants and desires at the heart of the case.

If you are a victim of a traumatic spinal cord injury, call one of our expert spinal cord injury lawyers today to ensure that you receive the right advice, as quickly as possible.

Rest assured, our dedicated and friendly team will be able to answer any questions without hesitation or fuss.

Common long-term effects include:

• Partial or total paralysis
• Loss of sensation
• Muscle stiffness or spasms
• Difficulty with bladder or bowel control
• Respiratory issues
• Psychological challenges