If a member of your family has experienced a recent spinal injury that has left them paralysed, your loved one can still lead a full and varied life, no matter how severe their injury. Whilst lifelong therapy and assistance will be needed by someone with a spinal injury, your loved one can look forward to a life with a large degree of independence. This is true where the use of arms, legs and even the power of natural speech have been lost.



Major advances in computing and computer assisted technologies mean that individuals who have suffered a complete loss of movement as a result of spinal injury can use these technologies to help them move about and control their living environment independently. Electric wheelchairs guided by eye movement are already available to a spinal injury victim. Additionally, a new generation of technology is in development that will permit a wheelchair to be guided by the power of thought alone. If a loved one has also lost the power of speech as a result of a spinal injury they will still be talk through use of a voice synthesiser controlled by any small eye or head movement.

However, the technology that offers a loved one with a spinal injury the ability to live independently is expensive.

When pursuing a compensation claim from insurers, it is vital to find a legal firm that is experienced in serious injury compensation, so that any claim fully covers all the expenses that are likely to arise as a result of your loved one's spinal injury. The compensation award must be sufficient to cover a lifetime of costs arising from provision of specialist care, equipment and a living space that is suitably adapted for a spinal injury victim. It is also important to understand that once a settlement has been made, a spinal injury compensation case cannot return to the courts to seek additional funds at a later date.

So how can you select an experienced legal firm to pursue your case for you at this difficult time, and what help can you expect?

When considering a legal firm to represent your family in a spinal injury compensation case, you should check how many serious injury cases that law firm has successfully completed in the past. What spinal injury compensation awards were achieved and were they adequate? If possible, ask to see case history reports or speak directly with past clients to see what practical assistance they received.

When you have satisfied yourself that your prospective solicitors are suitably experienced in pursuing a spinal injury compensation case, you should also ask:-

- will a Case Manager will be appointed to manage your loved one's care, so that you can always speak to someone who is familiar with the medical history.

- Will your solicitor help you manage the specialist care teams? Will they provide services to help to source the technology and equipment your family will need to support assisted living for someone with a spinal injury?

- Will the firm help you deal with any issues or unforeseen requirements that may arise over the course of securing the claim?

- Will this assistance extend to the years after the serious injury compensation award has been made?

- Are the spinal injury care and management services provided free of charge?

Additionally, you should also examine what services are offered by your prospective lawyers to help you care for a family member with a spinal injury, whilst the claim is being settled. It must be remembered that serious injury compensation cases can take up to five years to reach a final settlement, and once your loved one is released from hospital your needs will be immediate. Additionally, the selected legal firm should be willing to seek an interim award for spinal injury from your insurers, or should be willing to secure other financial assistance to help your family with any immediate costs that will need to be met when your loved one comes home.

At such a distressing time, it is essential that you choose solicitors that are able to give you all the assistance you will need to support a loved one with a spinal injury both now, and in the months and years ahead. Taking the time to choose the right legal practice for your family's individual circumstances is a wise investment of your energies.