RP Crawford Solicitors Limited – Dedicated to Your Recovery and Rights
“Restoring Balance to Your Life – We Stand for Justice and Fair Compensation”
At RP Crawford Solicitors Limited, we specialise in handling cases for individuals and families affected by spinal injuries resulting from medical negligence. These injuries not only cause severe physical limitations but also impose significant financial burdens due to ongoing care requirements.
Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Medical Negligence Cases
Spinal injuries can occur under various negligent medical circumstances, including:
Surgical Errors:
- Incorrect surgical technique during spinal surgery.
- Damage to the spinal cord or nerves during operations.
- Operating on the wrong site (wrong-site surgery).
- Leaving surgical instruments or materials inside the patient.
Anaesthesia Errors:
- Improper administration of anaesthesia leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and subsequent spinal cord injury.
- Anaesthetic complications that result in blood pressure issues, affecting spinal cord blood flow.
Errors in Handling or Moving Patients:
- Improper handling during transfer from a bed to a stretcher or during repositioning in bed, particularly in patients with pre-existing spinal conditions or injuries.
- Failure to immobilise a patient with suspected spinal injury after trauma.
Childbirth and Obstetric Care:
- Excessive force used during delivery, such as with forceps or vacuum extraction.
- Mismanagement of a breech delivery, leading to traumatic injury to the baby’s spine.
- Failure to address complications during labour that may compress the infant’s spine.
Diagnostic Failures:
- Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis of spinal tumours, infections, or herniated discs.
- Misinterpretation of imaging studies leading to a missed diagnosis of spinal conditions.
- Failure to detect and treat spinal infections or inflammations timely, allowing progression that results in permanent damage.
Failure to Treat or Mismanagement:
- Delayed treatment of spinal cord compression or other emergent spinal conditions.
- Inadequate follow-up on post-surgical patients leading to complications such as infections or blood clots that could impact the spinal cord.
- Mismanagement of spinal injuries initially treated, leading to worsening of the condition or secondary injuries.
Radiological Errors:
- Errors in radiological interpretation leading to incorrect or delayed treatment.
- Inappropriate radiological techniques that fail to reveal critical spinal issues.
Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Errors:
- Inappropriate or aggressive manipulation of the spine.
- Physical therapy techniques that are contraindicated for the patient’s condition.
Medication Errors:
- Use of drugs that adversely affect the spinal cord or its function.
- Drug interactions that result in severe side effects affecting the spinal health.
Inadequate Care in Hospital Settings:
- Falls from hospital beds or during transport within a hospital when patients are not adequately supervised or secured.
- Lack of proper protocols to prevent spinal deterioration in immobile patients.
Spinal injuries can occur due to all sorts of medical negligence, each potentially having devastating consequences for the patient. In legal terms, these cases often require thorough investigation, expert “liability evidence”, and a detailed understanding of both medical and legal principles to adequately assess and pursue claims.
Why Instruct Us?
Expert Network at Your Service At RP Crawford Solicitors Limited, we understand that the complexities of spinal injury claims require specialised knowledge and a tailored approach. That’s why we work closely with a highly experienced network of professionals, including occupational therapists, top spinal surgeons, and forensic accountants. This collaboration ensures that every aspect of your care and future needs is meticulously planned and accounted for. Our experts assess the long-term impacts of your injury, helping us to accurately calculate costs for ongoing medical care, necessary home adaptations, loss of earnings, and other critical factors that contribute to your claim.
Empathy at Every Step Facing a spinal injury is undoubtedly challenging, and navigating its legal implications adds an additional layer of stress. Recognising this, our team prioritises empathy and support throughout your legal journey. We strive to understand not just the details of your case but also the personal hardships that come with it. Our approach is deeply client-centred—we are here to listen, to understand your needs, and to provide the support you deserve.
Personalised, Client-Centred Service We go beyond traditional legal services to offer home visits and flexible communication, ensuring that you feel supported and connected without needing to travel. Whether you’re recovering at home or adjusting to new daily routines, our goal is to make the legal process as smooth and unobtrusive as possible. We manage all legal aspects diligently, working in the background to alleviate the financial pressures associated with your situation. This allows you to focus on what is most important: your recovery and well-being.
Removing Financial Stress with a Personal Touch Our commitment extends to removing any financial stress from your life during this critical time. We handle every detail of your claim, from initial assessments to final settlements, ensuring that your financial needs for both present and future are fully met. At RP Crawford Solicitors Limited, we don’t just manage cases; we foster relationships and build trust, giving you peace of mind knowing that you have a dedicated team fighting for your best interests.
Navigating the Medical Negligence Claims Process Our approach to your spinal injury claim is thorough and personalised depending on your circumstances and your losses, both physical, mental and financial:
- Gathering Medical Notes and Records: We compile a comprehensive collection of all medical documentation relevant to your case.
- Obtaining a Liability Report: Expert analysis is conducted to pinpoint negligence and establish liability.
- Quantum Reports: We engage occupational therapists and forensic accountants to assess the full impact of the injury, estimating the cost of care, future loss of earnings, and personal injury implications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Injury Claims
Compensation for spinal injuries can cover various aspects, including:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for current and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, and any specialised care.
- Loss of Earnings: Compensation for past and future lost wages if the injury affects your ability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Care Costs: Expenses related to necessary home care, professional care services, and adaptations to your living environment.
- Loss of Amenities: Compensation for the inability to partake in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed.
Generally, the time limit for making a medical negligence claim is three years from the date the injury occurred or from the date you became aware that your injury was linked to negligence. For children, the time limit extends until their 21st birthday. However, specific circumstances might affect these limits, so consulting with a solicitor as soon as possible is crucial.
The claim process typically involves:
- Initial Consultation: Meeting with your solicitor to discuss the details of your case. We can arrange Home Visits.
- Medical Assessment: Obtaining and reviewing medical records and possibly undergoing further medical examinations to assess the extent of your injuries.
- Liability Assessment: Investigating the circumstances of your injury to establish fault and liability.
- Quantum Assessment: Working with medical experts and financial analysts to determine the full impact of the injury on your life and calculate appropriate compensation.
- Negotiation and Settlement: Your solicitor will negotiate with the defendant’s representatives to reach a settlement that adequately covers your needs.
- Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to court, where a judge will make a decision.
We understand that spinal injuries often require significant modifications to your living environment to accommodate mobility restrictions and support recovery. We can arrange assessments by housing needs and accommodation experts who will recommend necessary adaptations. These might include installing ramps, stairlifts, widened doorways, or specialised bathroom facilities. Our team will then seek to recover these costs as part of your compensation.
If your injury impacts your ability to work, compensation can include not only immediate loss of earnings but also future economic losses. This encompasses:
- Reduced Earning Capacity: If you can return to work but not in the same capacity or earning level as before.
- Smith v Manchester Award: A lump sum provided if your job market flexibility is diminished, even if you haven’t lost your job yet.
- Retraining Costs: If you need to change professions due to your injury, costs associated with retraining can be included in your claim.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury due to medical negligence, contact RP Crawford Solicitors Limited today. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of your claim and ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Ready to Claim What’s Rightfully Yours?
Don’t let medical negligence define your future. Contact RP Crawford Solicitors Limited today to discuss your spinal injury claim and discover how we can help restore balance to your life and secure your family’s future.
Your Medical Negligence Claim Specialists
Liam McDonald
Lucy Kelly
Gemma McCashin