What is a spinal cord injury?
The spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury refers to damage affecting any part of this structure, including the nerves at the end of the spinal column, known as the cauda equina.
The location and severity of a spinal cord injury determine whether there is partial or complete loss of movement, sensation, or bodily function below the site of injury. In legal claims, emphasis is placed on the impact of the injury on daily living, independence, work capacity, and long-term care requirements.
What spinal injury solicitors do
Spinal injury solicitors oversee the legal and procedural aspects of spinal injury claims, whereas medical professionals are responsible for treatment and rehabilitation. Such claims often require complex medical evidence, long-term care planning, and a detailed assessment of future loss.
The spinal injury solicitors at Coleman Legal LLP have extensive experience handling spinal injury cases, including those arising from accidents and medical treatment. The firm supports clients throughout the claims process by providing clear information, structured legal advice, and consistent oversight from the initiation of a case to its resolution. This process typically involves:
- Reviewing the circumstances in which the spinal injury occurred
- Assessing whether a legal duty of care existed and whether it was breached
- Obtaining and analysing relevant medical records
- Instructing appropriate medical, engineering, and vocational experts
- Assessing future care needs, accommodation requirements, and financial loss
- Preparing and submitting claims to the Injuries Board
Throughout the process, our team ensures clients are kept informed and supported, with a focus on accuracy, preparation, and procedural compliance. For a confidential consultation, please call us at 1800-844-104 (free) or email [email protected].
Situations resulting in spinal injury claims
Spinal injury solicitors may be instructed in claims arising from a range of circumstances where an individual has sustained a spinal or spinal cord injury due to the actions or omissions of another party.
Common situations include the following:
- Road traffic accidents: Spinal injuries can occur in collisions involving cars, motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians, or commercial vehicles. These injuries may result from the force of impact, sudden deceleration, or secondary trauma following a collision.
- Workplace incidents: Workplace spinal injuries may arise from falls from height, unsafe systems of work, manual handling incidents, or accidents involving machinery or equipment. These claims are assessed in the context of employer duties under health and safety legislation.
- Medical treatment: Spinal injuries may result from delayed diagnosis, surgical error, incorrect positioning during procedures, or failures in post-operative care. Where appropriate, such cases are assessed under the law relating to medical negligence.
- Public liability incidents: Spinal injuries may also occur in public places due to hazards such as unsafe flooring, inadequate maintenance, defective structures, or inadequate crowd control. These claims are considered where an occupier or property controller may have owed a duty of care.
- Sporting and recreational activities: In certain circumstances, spinal injuries sustained during organised sporting or recreational activities may give rise to a claim. This can include incidents involving inadequate supervision, unsafe facilities, or failures to follow appropriate safety standards.
Additional details regarding the assessment and progression of these cases are available in the spinal injury claim guide, which provides a comprehensive explanation of the legal process.
Effects and complications considered in spinal injury claims
When progressing spinal injury claims, solicitors consider how the injury impacts day-to-day life and long-term wellbeing. Depending on the injury, this may include:
- Chronic pain or discomfort
- Impairment of bladder or bowel function
- Circulatory issues, including blood pressure changes or risk of clotting
- Pressure sores due to reduced mobility or sensation
- Respiratory difficulties where the chest or abdomen is affected
- Reduced bone density and increased fracture risk
- Changes in muscle tone affecting movement and posture
- Limitations on physical activity, work, and social participation
- Psychological effects, including anxiety or depression
These factors are critical in assessing the extent of loss and determining future care requirements.
Do I have grounds for a spinal injury claim?
When evaluating a potential claim, spinal injury solicitors review the available evidence to determine whether the legal criteria for liability are satisfied.
- That duty of care was breached through an act or omission.
- The breach directly caused the spinal or spinal cord injury.
- The injury resulted in an identifiable loss, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, or future care needs.
Further information on how these criteria are applied in practice is available in our spinal injury claim guide, which explains the assessment and progression of claims in more detail.
Statute of limitations for spinal injury claims in Ireland
In Ireland, spinal injury claims are subject to statutory time limits set out under the Statute of Limitations. These limits apply to personal injury claims arising from accidents, workplace incidents, public liability matters, and medical treatment.
General time limit
In most cases, a spinal injury claim must be initiated within two years, less one day, from the relevant start date. Spinal injury solicitors evaluate this time limit at an early stage to ensure that claims are brought within the applicable statutory period.
Date from which time runs
The limitation period usually begins on the date of the accident or incident that caused the spinal injury. In some circumstances, spinal injury solicitors may also consider whether the time limit runs from the date of knowledge. This refers to the point at which the injured person first knew, or could reasonably have known:
That a spinal injury had occurred
- That the injury was sufficiently serious
- That the injury may have resulted from the act or omission of another party
- This approach is most commonly relevant in certain medical negligence cases involving spinal injuries.
Claims involving children
Where a spinal injury is sustained by a person under 18 years of age, the limitation period does not begin to run until their 18th birthday. In such cases, spinal injury solicitors generally note that proceedings must be issued before the individual reaches 20 years of age.
Read more about the Statute of Limitations in Ireland.
How spinal injury claims are progressed in Ireland
Most spinal injury claims are initially submitted to the Injuries Board, which assesses personal injury claims in Ireland. If a claim is not resolved through this process, solicitors may issue court proceedings to progress the matter through litigation or settlement discussions, depending on the circumstances of the case. To learn more, read the spinal injury claim guide.
