What Are Paralysis Claims Worth In Compensation?

This guide will cover what you need to know about making paralysis claims. We will look at the ways this condition could affect you, and the factors that could make you eligible to pursue compensation.

Paralysis is a serious condition. It can affect a single limb or area, a whole section or side of the body, or remove the ability to move completely. If your injury was caused by negligence, then you might be able to claim.

If you want some support about the paralysis claims process, call our advisors for free legal advice. They can also connect you to a personal injury solicitor from our panel, who could represent you in your claim, provided your claim has a good chance of success.

You can reach us through the contact details below:

Paralysis claims guide

Paralysis claims guide

Choose A Section

  1. How To Prove Paralysis Claims
  2. How Somebody Could Be Paralysed
  3. What Are The Four Types Of Paralysis?
  4. Paralysis Compensation Payouts For 2022
  5. No Win No Fee Paralysis Claims
  6. Learn More About Making Paralysis Claims

How To Prove Paralysis Claims

Paralysis can be a life-changing injury that can stop you from being able to move. You might have paralysis that is just in one area of the body, such as an arm or the face. Alternatively, you could be paralysed from the waist, chest or neck down. 

You may have suffered paralysis from an injury at work, from a public place injury or in a road traffic accident. It doesn’t matter where the accident that led to your injury occurred, as long as you can show that you were owed a duty of care by the party in charge. 

You may be wondering how to prove a personal injury claim. For your claim to be valid, you need to establish that:

  • An employer, property owner, another road user or a medical institution owes you a duty of care.
  • There was a breach of their duty of care 
  • Their negligence caused your injury which resulted in paralysis.

You need evidence to prove third party negligence in order to make a successful claim. It is important to gather all necessary evidence that can help you prove that negligence caused your injury.  

An important aspect of proving your claim is a medical assessment of your injury. If you work with a personal injury lawyer, they may invite you to one of these with an independent expert. This can help to determine the severity of your injury, and confirm that it’s consistent with the accident you were involved in.

For more information on how compensation is valued in paralysis claims, speak with an advisor today.

Statistics For Paralysis Accidents

According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 51,211 non-fatal injuries were reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

Out of the 51,211 non-fatal injuries, 33%  were due to slips, trips and falls. 18% of the non-fatal injuries were due to handling lifting or carrying. The most commonly injured area of the body was upper limb locations. 

How Somebody Could Be Paralysed

There are various types of accidents that may result in paralysis and lead to different types of personal injury claims. Some examples of scenarios that could lead to paralysis after a spinal injury accident are outlined below:   

  • Accidents at work: Employers owe a duty of care to do all they reasonably can, to maintain the health and safety of their employees. This obligation is provided for in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. For instance, an employee working from a height on scaffolding needs to be adequately trained. If they are not, this is a breach of duty of care. A fall from height leading to paralysis may result in a construction accident claim.
  • Road traffic accidents: All road users owe a duty of care to other road users. They should act in a way that prevents others from being injured according to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and in The Highway Code. For instance, all drivers should abide by the speed limits. If a driver travels above the speed limit, this is negligence. If another road user suffers paralysis due to a head-on collision, they may pursue a road traffic accident claim.
  • Public place accidents: Occupiers of public places equally owe a duty of care to people when they are on their property. They are obligated to do all they reasonably can, to preserve the health and safety of users as is set out in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. For instance, the owner of a supermarket should make sure that shelves are secured to the walls. If they breach this duty of care and a heavy fixture falls on an employee, this could paralyse them. 

What Are The Four Types Of Paralysis?

Paralysis could be either partial or complete, and could also be temporary or permanent. It can also affect various parts of the body.

Types of paralysis according to the body parts affected can include: 

  • Monoplegia, which affects one limb.
  • Hemiplegia, which affects one side of your body.
  • Paraplegia, which affects the lower half of your body.
  • Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, which can affect both your arms and legs

Paralysis might affect different people in different ways. For example, some people find that the paralysed area is stiff with occasional muscle spasms or floppy. Paralysis can also be numb, tingly or painful.

There are other kinds of paralysis that you can experience, such as in the face or hands. If you’ve experienced paralysis as the result of negligence, get in touch with us today for free legal advice about paralysis claims.

Paralysis Compensation Payouts For 2022

Solicitors use compensation amounts from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), to assist them when valuing paralysis claims.  Your personal injury claim can comprise of claims for general damages and special damages. 

General damages seek to recover losses due to physical and psychological pain and suffering. It will depend on the pain and suffering you experienced, the extent of your injury and how it is likely to affect your quality of life. 

The list of injuries and the corresponding compensation amounts found in the table below is taken from the 2022 edition of the JCG. It is only a guide and the compensation that you actually receive might differ.

InjurySeverityNotesAmounts
Injuries Involving Paralysis
(a) Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)

Level of paralysis and degree of insight will affect the award amount. £324,600 to £403,990
Injuries Involving Paralysis(b) Paraplegia

Cases of increasing paralysis may take the award outside of the stated bracket. £219,070 to £284,260
Injuries Involving Paralysis(c) Shorter durations

Death occurs for unrelated reasons within short period.£49,340
Brain and Head Injury(a) Very Severe

The amount awarded will take into account the extent of physical limitations. £282,010 to £403,990
Brain and Head Injury(b) Moderately Severe

The injured person might experience physical difficulties such as limb paralysis. £219,070 to £282,010
Brain and Head Injury(c) Moderate (i)

No employment prospects. £150,110 to £219,070
Brain and Head Injury(c) Moderate (ii)Ability to work is greatly reduced or removed. £90,720 to £150,110
Brain and Head Injury(c) Moderate (iii)Very limited dependence on others.£43,060 to £90,720
Brain and Head Injury(d) Less Severe

There may still be persisting problems and not all normal functions may be restored. £15,320 to £43,060
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(a) Severe

Permanent effects that stop the person functioning at anything approaching the same level as before the trauma. £59,860 to £100,670

You could also receive special damages as part of your claim. This is the part of your settlement that relates to the financial losses caused by your injury. For example, if you were unable to work as a result of your injuries, then you could claim back this loss of earnings as part of your claim.

For more information on what could be included in paralysis claims, speak with an advisor today.

No Win No Fee Paralysis Claims

If you have determined that someone else caused your paralysis, our panel of personal injury solicitors may be able to represent you under a No Win No Fee basis, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement.

This means that you will not pay upfront legal fees to start your case. You will also not pay any ongoing legal fees during the claims process. 

A small percentage of your paralysis compensation will go to your lawyer if your claim is successful. This amount is capped by law so that most of the compensation is passed to you. If your claim is not a success, you don’t have to pay this amount. 

Discuss Your Paralysis Claim With Us

If you still have questions about paralysis claims, do not hesitate to contact our advisors. You can reach us through the following channels:

Learn More About Making Paralysis Claims

Read our other guides for more tips:

External sources for more information

Claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 

Reporting Workplace Accidents and Illnesses

Back Up Spinal Cord Charity

Thank you for reading our guide on paralysis claims. If you have any more questions, please get in touch.

Writer Mary Matisse

Publisher Fern Stringer