We at McGinley Solicitors have significant experience dealing with spinal and back injuries. We understand how complex both types of injuries can be and how traumatic an experience it is.

Spinal injury is a general term which includes injury to the spinal cord or surrounding nerves (a neurological injury) or injury and damage to the spinal vertebra (an orthopaedic injury).

Depending on where the spine suffers the trauma, and what nerves are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from serious and chronic pain, to paralysis. It is important to speak with a Spinal Injury Solicitor to make sure you are getting the correct advice for such a serious injury. Contact McGinley Solicitors today to discuss your spinal injury case.

What is a spinal injury?

The spine and back are vital for a number of bodily functions – not just walking. The spinal cord carries nerve signals from various parts of the body to the brain.

Spinal cord injuries – such as fractured vertebrae – can result in varying degrees of paralysis, loss of bodily function and loss of sensation.

n more serious spinal injuries, damage could result in:

• Paraplegia, which is the impairment of motor or sensory function of the lower extremities

• Tetraplegia or quadriplegia, which is a partial or total loss of use of all limbs

Typically spinal injuries are caused from impact injuries from an accident or from a medical negligence incident. Below are some examples of how spinal injuries can occur but are not limited to this list.

Accidents at work

Examples of accident at work claims, which cause a spinal injury, include:

• Crush injuries
• Carrying, handling or lifting injuries
• Machinery accidents
• Falls from a height
• Trips and slips

Medical negligence

Cases of medical negligence, resulting in a spinal injury include:

• Lack of informed consent regarding the risks of spinal surgery
• Surgical errors
• Nerve damage during surgery
• Spinal cord injury during surgery
• Disc replacement surgery
• Inappropriate surgery
• Malpositioned metalwork /screws
• Metalwork failures
• Post-operative paraplegia/ paralysis
• Spinal haematoma
• Muscle weakness after surgery
• Delayed diagnosis / treatment of Cauda Equina syndrome

Road traffic accidents

Incidences of road traffic accident claims include:

• Passenger injury
• Motorbike injury
• Bicycle injury
• Public transport injury