Nerve Damage Claims

What is nerve damage?

Our nerves are part of a vital network of fibres that carry information to and from the brain.

When a nerve is damaged, it becomes impossible for the brain to send signals to affected areas of the body. This can have life-changing consequences. And in the most extreme cases, nerve injury can even lead to paralysis and disability.

If you’ve suffered nerve damage because of the negligence of a medical professional, you could be entitled to compensation and support.

Our friendly claims advisors can talk to you about what happened and let you know if you have a strong claim.

What can cause nerve damage?

Nerves are delicate and can quite easily be damaged by pressure, stretching or cutting. This means that there is a risk of nerve damage occurring during certain operations and medical procedures.

But if your nerve injury was caused by medical negligence or you weren’t informed of the risks, you could have a claim for compensation.

Some of the most common causes of nerve damage include:

• Birth injuries, including spinal cord injury by epidural
• Cuts or damage to nerves during surgery
• Defective equipment used in surgery
• Poorly administered injections, such as anaesthesia
• Prolonged pressure or compression from bandages

We understand that it may be difficult for you to speak about what you’ve been through. That’s why we’ll only ever ask for the key details of what caused your nerve injury and how it’s affected you. This will let us work out the best options for you.

What does the nerve injury claims process involve?

We know the thought of making a claim can be daunting, and you might be feeling unsure about what to expect. We’ve broken down the process into five key stages to give you a better idea of what will happen if you decide to bring a claim.

• Free initial consultation

When you get in touch with us, one of our claims advisors will listen to the details of your case and offer free initial advice. If you have any questions or concerns, we’ll do our best to put your mind at ease.

• Gathering evidence

If we’re able to take on your case, we’ll put you in touch with an expert solicitor who will begin gathering evidence to support your claim. This could include medical records, your own recollections as well as witness testimonies.

• Approaching the responsible party

Your solicitor will put the details of your case into what’s known as a letter of claim, which will be sent to the defendant. This letter will outline what happened, the injury you suffered and why we believe they are at fault.

• Valuing your claim

Your solicitor will work out how much compensation you should receive based on your pain and suffering, as well as any financial losses resulting from your injury. To help with this, they may instruct a medical expert to provide a clearer view of how your injury could affect you going forward.

• Agreeing a settlement

If the defendant in your case admits responsibility for your injury, you’ll receive an offer of compensation and the process will be relatively straightforward. If the defendant denies responsibility, your solicitor will continue to negotiate for an out of court settlement.

It’s unlikely that your claim will go to court. But if it does, your solicitor will make sure you’re prepared and will support you throughout.

How can First4Lawyers help?

At First4Lawyers, we work with expert medical negligence solicitors who will strive to get you the best possible outcome for your claim.

When you get in touch, one of our compassionate claims advisors will ask you some straightforward questions to assess whether you have a strong case. And if we think you do, we’ll ask if you’d like to be put in touch with a solicitor to discuss your case in more detail.

If the answer is yes, we’ll usually put you straight through to a specialist solicitor. But if you need more time to think over your decision, there’s always the option to call us back. We’ll never rush you into making a decision.

For these types of claims, we offer a No Win No Fee service, so you can focus on your recovery without the worry of covering legal costs.

What are the main signs of a nerve injury?

For some people, the effects of nerve damage are debilitating. Although symptoms can vary depending on the type of nerve injury sustained, some of the most common include:

• Feeling hot and cold
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Numbness or tingling
• Reduced balance and co-ordination
• Sudden sharp pains

If you’ve recently had an operation and you feel that something isn’t right, it’s important to seek medical advice. If nothing else, this will provide you with reassurance or guidance on what to do next.

How long does it take to recover from nerve damage?

Nerve injuries can be painful, so it’s only natural that you’d want to know how long your recovery might take. This will ultimately depend on how serious your nerve injury was and the type of damage that occurred.

There are treatments that can help to speed up the recovery process, though. For example, nerves that have been cut can be repaired with further surgery if discovered early. And in other cases, physical therapy can be extremely beneficial.

Of course, any further medical treatment may come at a cost to you. This will be considered in your claim for compensation, so you can prioritise getting the right care without worrying about the financial implications.

Nerve injury claims FAQs

How much compensation could I get for a nerve injury claim?

This will very much depend on your injury, its severity and the effect it has had on your life.

Your solicitor will discuss with you what they believe your claim could be worth after listening to the details of your case. Or for a rough estimate, you can use our compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit on when I can make a claim?

You’ll usually have three years to make a nerve injury claim. This could either be three years from the date you were injured, or when you first became aware of it.

There are some cases where the rules vary, though. Different deadlines might apply if the person affected is a child, for example, or someone who is lacking the mental capacity to bring a claim.

Can I make a nerve injury claim on someone else’s behalf?

If someone close to you has suffered a nerve injury, you may be able to claim on their behalf if they are:

• A child under the age of 18
• An adult lacking mental capacity
• Someone who has passed away

In any of these circumstances, you could bring a claim by becoming what’s known as a litigation friend. As a litigation friend, you’ll be responsible for making decisions about the case that are in the best interests of your loved one.

I think I have a nerve injury claim – what should I do?

If you or a loved one has suffered nerve damage due to the negligence of a medical professional, you have a right to compensation and support.

We know you may have questions about the process of making a claim, and our knowledgeable claims advisors will strive to address any concerns you have.

When you feel ready, you can call us on the number at the top of the screen or request a callback to find out more about making a claim. You could also start the process online with our quick and easy claims form.