Understanding spinal cord injury: facts, rehabilitation, and legal support

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can be a life altering experience, bringing profound challenges for the person injured and those closest to them. Leigh Day has one of the UK’s largest and most experienced teams of specialist spinal cord injury lawyers and has spent decades supporting individuals and families as they navigate the path towards recovery, independence and rebuilding their lives after catastrophic injury.

Each year, Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day recognises SCIs and the ongoing challenges faced by more than 105,000 people in the UK. Leigh Day is committed to providing its clients with support, including rehabilitation and financial stability, to help them build a positive future. 

Spinal Injury Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:  What are the latest UK statistics on spinal cord injuries?

A: Leigh Day partner Ged Horton – Manchester, shares:

Every day, someone in the UK is paralysed by a spinal cord injury. Here are some key facts: 

• More than 105,000 people in the UK live with a spinal cord injury.
• An estimated 4,400 new spinal cord injury cases occur annually in the UK.
• Every two hours, a person’s life is changed when they sustain an SCI.
• More than 80% of families affected by SCIs say the injury impacts every aspect of their lives, including work, relationships, hobbies, health, and overall wellbeing.

Q: Why is it important to have legal support after sustaining a spinal cord injury?

A: Leigh Day partner Sally Moore – London, explains:

Anyone who sustains a spinal cord injury in an accident may be entitled to claim compensation. Seeking specialist legal advice at an early stage is crucial and can provide:

• Immediate rehabilitation support from the best professionals.
• Financial stability to relieve the pressures that often follow catastrophic injury.
• Access to resources that make a real difference to recovery, independence, and day to day life.
• Long-term care planning tailored to your specific needs.

Specialist spinal injury solicitors understand the unique challenges posed by a spinal cord injury and can ensure you receive maximum compensation to support your future.

You can find more information on starting a spinal injury compensation claim by visiting our dedicated page: Spinal injury claims. 

Q: What types of accidents can lead to a spinal cord injury claim? 

A: Leigh Day partner James Glasper – London says: 

Unfortunately, a serious injury can happen to anyone, so compensation claims can arise from many different circumstances such as: medical negligence, road traffic collisions, accidents at work, accidents caused by dangerous buildings and land, sporting accidents, and public disasters.

Q: How can spinal injury solicitors support recovery? - A client success story

A: Leigh Day partner Bethany Sanders – Leeds, shares:

For more than 35 years, Leigh Day has helped people living with spinal cord injuries secure multi-million pound compensation settlements following personal injury or medical negligence.

Nathan’s story: Rebuilding independence after spinal injury

One of the clients we have supported is Nathan, who sustained a complete spinal cord injury at T11, a part of the spine just above the lower back, in a road traffic collision. He was paralysed from the waist down. 

We helped Nathan secure early funding for suitable accommodation and specialist rehabilitation, alongside a substantial settlement that has helped him regain independence and return to the hobbies he loves. 

Nathan’s story demonstrates how the right legal support and compensation can transform recovery outcomes. You can read more about Nathan’s inspiring story here. 

Q: What support and planning can help ensure long-term wellbeing following a spinal cord injury?

A: Leigh Day partner Laura Murphy – London, explains:

We support our clients plan for every aspect of daily life, both in the immediate aftermath of injury and in the years ahead. This can include:

• Accommodation: Adapting an existing home to meet new needs, or, where necessary, buying or renting a more suitable property.
• Equipment: Securing access to essential aids such as wheelchairs, assistive and rehabilitation technology, and adapted vehicles to support daily routines, leisure activities and a return to work.
• Rehabilitation: Ensuring access to the right private medical care and therapies, specialist treatment, case management and ongoing care to maximise recovery and maintain long term health.
• Re-training: Where possible, funding may also be available to support re-training and a return to work.

By addressing these areas together, our clients can begin to develop a comprehensive and personalised plan that supports their long-term quality of life.

Q: Beyond legal work, how does Leigh Day support those affected by spinal cord injuries? 

A: Leigh Day partner David Preston – London shares:

At Leigh Day, we collaborate with charities and NGOs through long‑standing partnerships, sponsorships and fundraising. 

Our trusted partners, such as the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), Day One Trauma and Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, provide vital education and training, support, advice and advocacy for people affected by a spinal cord injury. 

Our main aim is to help empower these organisations to continue improving lives within the SCI community and we support them in a range of practical ways, for example:

• Acting as an SIA Trusted Partner and sponsor of its Support Coordinator service, helping to ensure individuals with spinal cord injuries receive specialist guidance and support.
• Working in partnership with Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research to help advance vital spinal injury research.
• Raising awareness and funds through a range of fundraising activities, including Leigh Day’s cycling team riding thousands of miles across the UK and Europe.

Learn more about our spinal injury support

In this video, medical negligence solicitor Adam Lamb explains more about how Leigh Day supports people living with spinal cord injuries.

If you, or someone close to you, has sustained a spinal cord injury, we are here to help. Contact Leigh Day’s expert team today by emailing seriousinjury@leighday.co.uk or calling 020 7650 1200.