PERSONAL INJURY*
Spinal Cord Injury* Solicitors – Drogheda, Ashbourne & Dublin
The law is there to support you. If you had an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may seek compensation.
We’re here to help. Call us today on
Drogheda : 041 983 8708
Ashbourne : 01 835 2027
What is it?
The spinal cord transports any communication that is sent from the brain to the rest of the human body. Depending on what nerve roots are affected and the exact location of trauma, the results can range from serious and chronic pain to paralysis and untreatable injuries. If you or a family member have suffered a spinal injury you may be eligible to pursue a claim.
Types of Injuries?
The majority of spinal injuries will almost always result in the restriction of mobility or some form of paralysis. The exact location and severity of the damage are the two key factors that determine how severe the injury is. Different types of injuries include:
Cervical
Cervical spinal injury is the area directly below the base of the skull where the spinal cord is attached to the brain. This injury is usually the result of a violent collision, such as a road traffic accident.
Thoracic
Thoracic spinal injury is the area between the head and abdomen. Injuries that occur in this region of the spine usually result in paraplegia. Paraplegia is the impairment of motor or sensory function of the lower limbs, such as the loss of motor control of the legs.
Lumbosacral
The Lumbosacral injury is the area covered by the lower back, abdomen and pelvic region. Spinal injuries* that occur in this region reduce the control of the hips, urinary system and legs.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a condition where the nerves located at the base of the spinal cord become compressed, resulting in damage to the nerves controlling the bladder and bowel.
We Look After Your Case
Tallans Solicitors LLP are the North-East’s largest law firm. With us, you’ll get jargon-free legal advice that you can depend on.
Our solicitors are experts in their specific areas of practice, ensuring that you, our client, gets the best possible legal advice and personal attention.
Established in 1899, trust Tallans to do the best for you, whatever legal issues you may face. Talk to Tallans today.
What injury did you suffer?
You can suffer many different types of injuries from someone else’s negligence. These injuries can come in many different forms. From shoulder, arm and leg injuries to occupational and psychological injuries, Tallans Solicitors LLP is here to help you with your claim and through the entire process.
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What is the claims process?
Once you have gathered all the relevant information in relation to your injury it is then time to move forward with your claim. It is important to use a personal injury solicitor to help you with this.
1. Prepare the information for a solicitor
When you decide you want to move forward with your injury claim it is important to have all the relevant information to hand when contacting a solicitor. Important information to have on hand at this point is:
- Date of the accident
- Location of the accident
- Details of who/what caused the accident
- Specifics of what happened
- Who did you report the accident to?
- If any emergency services attended the scene and their details
- Details of your injuries
- Hospitals/Doctors attended with your injury
- Any pictures you may have taken of the scene of the accident and/or your injuries
- Details of any witnesses
- Is there CCTV that may have captured the accident?
2. Solicitor becomes your trusted advisor
As a solicitor is aware of the injury claim process they can avoid any legal bumps in the road you might encounter if you did this yourself. It is their job to be your trusted advisor on all legal matters throughout your case.
3. Solicitor obtains a medical report
The most important document needed to prove your injuries is your medical report. The reason a solicitor will ask for your doctor’s details or if you have attended the hospital is so they can obtain all the medical reports required to pursue the case for you.
4. Solicitor prepares the Injuries Board application
As soon as your solicitor has gathered all the information, your injury claim will be submitted to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board for assessment. Your solicitor will do this for you. Once the Injuries Board assess your claim your solicitor will revert with a suggested settlement amount. At this stage, you have a choice to accept the Injuries Board assessment or reject it and move to the next steps.
At this point one of two scenarios will unfold:
a. If both you and the party at fault accept the Injuries Board assessment, your case is settled and the person at fault will be ordered to pay settlement to you.
b. If either you or the person at fault reject the Injuries Board assessment, then you move to the next stage and your solicitor will issue legal proceedings.
5. Possible case outcomes
Before you start to concern yourself with court and everything that comes with it, it’s important to understand that only a very small percentage of cases actually make it to a courtroom.
Settlement meetings will be arranged where a settlement can be negotiated. Most cases are settled at this point without ever having to step foot into a courtroom and remember it’s your solicitor’s job to be with you every step of the way, right beside you to ensure that your best interests are met at all stages. Your solicitor is to be your trusted advisor throughout the process and to let you focus on your recovery, as they focus on settling your case.
What are the Legal Time Limits?
Formally known as the Statute of Limitations, the legal time limit for a personal injury claim is usually two years less one day after the date of knowledge of the injury. In many cases, the date of knowledge will be the date the accident occurred. In some cases, a person may not realise their injury until some time after the accident and in such cases, the clock starts from that date. For children who have suffered an injury, the process works a little differently. A minor cannot bring a claim forward themselves. On their 18th birthday, the clock starts at their two year time limit to make their claim. Alternatively, a parent or legal guardian can bring the claim forward on behalf of the child immediately after the accident. This is generally a more favourable option. As making the claim sooner rather than later means that it is easier to source reliable evidence to strengthen the child’s case. Important to note is that once the application to the Injuries Board is submitted, the clock stops on the two year time limit while they assess the claim.
Assessment & Offer
Injury Claim Assessment
Upon assessment of your claim, the Injuries Board will look at past personal injury cases and injuries similar to yours to determine how much compensation they will suggest. They do this by referring to the ‘Book of Quantum’. The Book of Quantum is a record of personal injury cases, specific injuries and how much they settled for.
Consideration of Injuries Board Offer
Having reviewed your claim, the Injuries Board will revert back to you with a suggested compensation amount. This would be then paid to you by the party at fault. You will then need to consider whether to agree to this or not. At this time, your solicitor will be able to advise you on the best route forward, but ultimately it will be your decision whether to accept this first offer or not.
Possible Outcomes
Time Limit to Accept or Reject the Award
Effect of Accepting the Award
Effect of Rejecting the Award
Settlement Outside of Court
The majority of personal injury cases will settle outside of court. The reality is that if you move past the Injuries Board stage to legal proceedings that you will not have to step foot into a courtroom. Before the hearing, settlement meetings may be arranged, meaning that you would meet with your legal team – Solicitor and Barrister – to start these talks. At the meetings, your legal team will communicate with the other side on your behalf, all the while keeping you up to date and informed of the progress and any updated settlement offers. Your legal team may come to an acceptable conclusion for you at these meetings if so, your case will then be concluded in full and final settlement there and then. If settlement talks do not result in an acceptable settlement amount, then your case will move to a court hearing where a Judge will make the final decision on your case.
Calculation of Damages
In a personal injury case involving an accident where you have suffered an injury, property damage or another kind of loss, as the injured party you can seek to claim for those losses. The best way to do so is to speak with a personal injury solicitor about your case. The losses the injured party incurs are called ‘damages’.
General Damages
Special Damages
- Medical Expenses – medical care and future medical care costs including costs of attending doctors, cost of medication, hospital bills, cost of x-ray, MRI, or treatments such as physiotherapy.
- Travel Expenses – any travel costs directly related to the accident/injury, such as taxi fares, public transport to and from the hospital, or car parking.
- Loss of Earnings – a calculation will be made as to how much earnings you have lost as a result of being out of work due to the injury, as well as any future loss of earnings. These will also be calculated and included in the final amount.
Learn more about Special Damages
Loss of Amenity
Material Damages
The consequences of the same injury or illness will vary between individuals. So the amount of compensation you could receive will be personal to you. Our personal injury solicitors are experienced in accurately valuing claims based on your particular circumstances, to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Talk To Tallans Today
We use our expert knowledge and 130 year’s experience to give you the voice you need. We use non-legal language and provide practical and impartial advice through every stage of the process!
Sheila Cooney
Managing Partner
Assisting your Solicitor
In order for a solicitor to advise you on your accident and whether you may be entitled to make a claim, when bringing the claim to a solicitor, include all facts surrounding the accident. Even the facts that you may think are not as important. Also remember to include things like how the accident happened, what exactly you were doing at the time, who was involved and who witnessed the accident. The following pieces of information are important for you to bring with you, where possible when you start the claims process with your solicitor:
- A detailed description of the accident and how it happened.
- Pictures of the scene of the accident to show how it happened.
- Specific time and date of the accident.
- Was there any CCTV in operation where your accident happened? Your solicitor can request the owner of the CCTV to send over the recordings.
- Witness Details – was there any witnesses to the accident?
- Medical Reports – if you have copies of them to hand, if not your solicitor can request these from your doctor.
- Details of Loss of Earnings – how much wages have you lost as a result of the accident?
- Details of Medical History – did you have any medical conditions before the accident occurred?
- Claims History Details – have you made any personal injury claims in the past? Details of the party at fault for your accident. – it is of the utmost importance that you have the correct party identified when making a claim.
- A list of any expenses you incur as a result of the accident (for example, medical costs, travel costs, home care costs or any other costs involved).
Our Testimonials
Want to know what it’s like to work with Tallans Solicitors LLP?
The best way to find out is to see what past clients have said.
In a recent claim, Tallans Solicitors LLP were superefficient and provided great service. I was very nervous coming in to see a solicitor but Orla Shevlin put me at ease straight-away. I found Orla very easy to talk to and knew I could trust her 100%.
I was extremely happy with the outcome of my case… Tallans were able to explain things to me in a way that I could understand. I have no hesitation in recommending Tallans to anyone.
From day one, Tallans Solicitors LLP were transparent, clear and supportive regarding my case. They had a personable yet highly professional way in which they presented themselves.
From day one, they were on my side. I will now go to them for all legal advice in the future and recommend everyone to seek advice and services from Tallans in Drogheda.
About Tallans Solicitors LLP
We draw on more than 130 years of experience in personal injury law to provide you with expert advice and legal services.
We’re here to help you with your claim, and will work with you to ensure you understand every step of your legal journey.
Contact Us
Our friendly and experienced team are waiting to answer your call. Lines are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5.30 pm on 041 983 8708 (Drogheda) and 01 835 2027 (Ashbourne) or you can fill out our contact form and we’ll call you back.