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Last updated 10th November 2025. You or a loved one may be eligible to make a paralysis injury claim if it can be shown that the negligent acts or inactions of a liable third party directly resulted in paralysing damage. We understand that paralysis can have instant, life-changing consequences, and you might not have given thought to pursuing compensation before. However, successfully claiming for a serious injury like paralysis can not only provide financial relief but also the funds needed to support rehabilitation over the long term.
What You Need To Know About Making A Paralysis Injury Claim
- According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), around 1,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury annually in the UK.
- A paralysis injury can be temporary or permanent, and may result in partial or complete loss of muscle function.
- Road traffic accidents, crushes, falls from height, and slips and trips are common causes of paralysis injuries.
- Paralysis may lead to lifelong treatment and care, the cost of which could be claimed for if there is evidence of this financial impact.
- Our solicitors can support clients through the paralysis injury claims process, including gathering evidence and handling communications on their behalf.
Here at Advice, our solicitors understand that every experience of paralysis is different, and that is one of many reasons why they offer a fully individualised service to always meet the unique needs of each client. Our advisors can also provide a free, sensitively reviewed case assessment to determine if there are grounds to seek compensation. To find out more, get in touch with our advisors now by:
- Phoning us on 0161 509 2856
- Filling in our ‘Contact Us‘ form
- Talking via our live chat
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Browse Our Guide
- Are You Eligible To Make A Serious Paralysis Injury Claim?
- Case Study: £3 Million Payout From A Paralysis Claim
- How Much Compensation Could You Receive From A Paralysis Injury Claim?
- What Evidence Could Help You Claim For Negligence?
- Can I Use Serious Injury Solicitors To Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Learn More About How To Make A Personal Injury Claim
- Paralysis Injury Claim FAQs
Are You Eligible To Make A Serious Paralysis Injury Claim?
Paralysis can have a profoundly life-changing impact on a person’s life. The symptoms of paralysis vary but can include being incapable of moving some or all of your body.
If you’re looking to make a paralysis injury claim, the negligent conduct of those responsible for the welfare of others must have been the cause of the accident that led to the injury. Therefore, to claim personal injury compensation, you need to show the following in your case:
- A duty of care was owed to you.
- A breach of this duty occurred.
- As a result of this breach, you suffered an injury.
Satisfying these points, which form the basis of negligence in tort law, will enable you to proceed with your case. We will now explore the duty of care owed by third parties in varying circumstances.
Road Traffic Accidents
Road users owe a duty of care to navigate the roads in a manner that prevents injury and damage to themselves and others. Complying with the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code will ensure they abide by this duty.
A failure to adhere to their duty of care could see them causing an accident that leads to someone becoming paralysed. You might be able to make a paralysis injury claim when:
- Someone driving over the limit loses control of their vehicle and hits you
- A drunk driver swerves into the wrong lane, causing a head-on collision
Accidents At Work
Your employer must take reasonable steps to keep you safe. This duty of care is established in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. If your employer breaches this duty of care, an accident that causes paralysis might result.
It might be possible to make a paralysis injury claim if:
- Your employer knowingly provides you with a faulty ladder, which means you fall from a height
- You aren’t provided with personal protective equipment, which proves to be harmful when a heavy object falls on your head
Accidents In A Public Place
The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 outlines that parties in control of a space must take steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors using it for its permitted purpose. Failure to comply with this duty may result in an accident that leaves someone paralysed.
You could potentially be entitled to make a paralysis injury claim if:
- You fall from a height after leaning against a faulty handrail
- No wet floor signs are displayed after mopping up a spillage, leading to you suffering a bad slip and fall accident
The above examples are not exhaustive, so speak with our advisors today to uncover the validity of your case. They will provide a free case assessment, and if eligible, you might be offered the services of a solicitor from Advice.
Case Study: £3 Million Payout From A Paralysis Claim
Mr A received a £3 million payout from a paralysis claim after he suffered extensive spinal damage in a roof fall caused by a faulty safety harness that gave way on a construction site. He was rushed to hospital, where tests confirmed that the spinal injury had left him permanently paraplegic. This ended his career as a builder, leaving him with a significant loss in earnings.
Following the accident, Mr A connected with a specialist personal injury solicitor. They were able to prove that his employer had failed to act on several reports about defective harnesses, and helped to collect witness statements, medical records, and other documents as supportive evidence. The employer admitted their liability and Mr A was awarded a £3 million settlement.
As part of his successful compensation claim, Mr A’s payout covered 2 types of damages:
- General damages for his pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
- Special damages for the financial impact, specifically, privately funded medical treatments, dedicated home support, accessibility adaptations, and loss of income.
If you’d like to discuss our example case study* or get further advice on making a paralysis injury claim, please reach out today for free, no-obligation guidance.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive From A Paralysis Injury Claim?
If you make a successful paralysis injury claim, you will receive a settlement. This could include up to two heads of claim, of which one is general damages. This is awarded in all settlements and compensates for the pain, suffering, loss of amenity and impacts on life overall.
To help work out your case’s value, legal professionals might turn to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This text is often used for this process, as it assigns suggested compensation brackets to varying severities of injury. Your solicitor may also obtain medical evidence to compare with the JCG to help more precisely value your case.
The table below includes guideline compensation brackets extracted from the JCG. These should only be used as a guide since the facts in each case differ, leading to varying compensation levels. Moreover, the top entry is not from the JCG.
Compensation Table
| Injury | Severity | Valuation Bracket | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple, Very Severe Injuries + Special Damages | Very Severe | Up to £5,000,000+ | Special damages might encompass lost earnings, occupational therapy, and specialist equipment. |
| Paralysis | Quadriplegia | £396,140 to £493,000 | Factors considered include extent of independence, degree of residual movement, and whether there are respiratory issues. |
| Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 | Payouts can reflect depression, presence of pain (and its extent), and effect on sexual function. | |
| Shorter Durations | £60,210 | Around £60,210 would be appropriate for a young adult with paraplegia who dies within around 2 years. | |
| Brain Damage | Moderately Severe | £267,340 to £344,150 | The person will be seriously disabled, with disabilities including limb paralysis. |
| Back | Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Spinal cord and nerve root damage that results in incomplete paralysis. |
| Neck | Severe (i) | In the Region of £181,020 | Associated with incomplete paraplegia. |
| Severe (ii) | £80,240 to £159,770 | Involving serious fractures, leading to loss of function in one or more limbs. |
Special Damages When Claiming For Serious Back Conditions And Injuries
The second head of claim is special damages, which, in serious injury claims, often exceeds the amount awarded for general damages. This is because the injuries caused could lead to you experiencing heavy costs and losses.
Special damages seek to address such losses incurred due to the injury. Providing you have relevant evidence, compensation could be awarded for:
- Loss of earnings due to no longer being able to work
- The costs of adapting your home to increase your independence
- Expenses associated with travel because you’re now incapable of driving
Speak with an advisor from our team today to better understand the potential spine injury compensation you could be awarded. They could estimate the value of your paralysis injury claim and answer your questions.
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What Evidence Could Help You Claim For Negligence?
To pursue serious injury compensation, you must show that you meet the eligibility criteria. Evidence can help prove: third-party negligence, your injuries, and outline the impacts these have had on you.
Examples of evidence you could supply include:
- The contact details of witnesses
- Your medical records
- CCTV footage of the incident
- Photographs of your injuries and the accident site
- Diary entries of your symptoms and treatments
Providing your paralysis injury claim is eligible, a solicitor from Advice could collect the evidence as part of their service. Contact our advisors now to see if you can get this help.
Can I Use Serious Injury Solicitors To Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
You should consider instructing a solicitor if you have an eligible paralysis injury claim and want expert advice. Our solicitors offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement.
This means they work on a specific No Win No Fee basis, providing you with several benefits. The benefits include not having to pay any solicitor fees upfront or during your case for their service. Moreover, if your case is unsuccessful, no fees for your solicitor’s service will be payable.
Your solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation if it wins. However, the percentage they take from your compensation is small and legally capped.
If you like the sound of this and want to find out if you’re eligible to take advantage of it, contact our advisors now. You can speak with them today by:
- Phoning us on 0161 509 2856
- Filling in our ‘Contact Us‘ form
- Talking to us on our website over live chat
Learn More About How To Make A Personal Injury Claim
For external help, please look below:
- Information on inspecting the condition of ladders from HSE
- Advice for road users from Think!
- A guide about statutory sick pay from Gov.UK
Paralysis Injury Claim FAQs
If you’re seeking further information, please read our answers to some frequently asked questions about making a paralysis claim.
What Are The Symptoms Of Paralysis?
According to the NHS, the symptoms of paralysis include suddenly or gradually being unable to move part of or all of your body (or face), weakness or floppiness, and constant numbness, pain, or tingling.
How Much Compensation For Paralysis?
Payouts for quadriplegia alone may range from £396,140 to £493,000. However, this just covers the physical injury and doesn’t consider what expenses may arise.
What Are The 4 Types Of Spinal Injuries?
The 4 main types of spinal injuries are cervical (the neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (connecting to the pelvic area). Such spinal injuries are generally categorised by the extent of function loss: complete (total) or incomplete (partial).
Are There Different Kinds Of Paralysis?
Yes, different kinds of paralysis are categorised based on which parts of the body are affected, including: quadriplegia (all 4 limbs), paraplegia (both legs and lower body), hemiplegia (1 side of the body), and monoplegia (a single limb).
We hope this guide, including our illustrative case study*, has answered your questions about making a paralysis injury claim.
