What is a Back Injury Claim?
Back injury claims cover the full range of spinal soft tissue, disc, and bony injuries caused by accidents. Common causes include road traffic collisions, workplace manual handling, slips and falls, and sports accidents. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, sciatica, numbness, and weakness. Imaging may show disc protrusions or herniations.
Am I Entitled to Claim?
You can claim if your back injury was caused by another party’s negligence. Typical cases include rear-end car crashes, workplace lifting injuries where manual handling training and lifting aids were inadequate, falls caused by occupier negligence, and injuries from defective equipment.
Step-by-Step Process
Early Medical Care
GP and, if severe, A&E attendance. Imaging (X-ray or MRI) where indicated.
Physiotherapy
Follow recommended physiotherapy. Chronic back pain benefits from early intervention.
Contact Keans
Free consultation. We gather records and arrange expert review.
Specialist Assessment
For serious cases we instruct a spinal orthopaedic or pain management expert.
IRB or Court
Lower value cases go through IRB. Complex cases with future surgery may go straight to court.
Resolution
Settlement reflects short-term pain, long-term prognosis, and ongoing treatment needs.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
The stronger the evidence, the more straightforward the claim. Where possible, gather the following:
- GP records and imaging results (X-ray, MRI)
- Hospital consultant correspondence
- Physiotherapy records and any pain management clinic reports
- Independent expert orthopaedic or pain management report
- Medication and treatment receipts
- Payslips evidencing time off work
- Personal diary of pain, function, and daily impact
Compensation Ranges
Based on the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines 2021. Awards may also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs. Exact value depends on your specific injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The principle is "take your victim as you find them". If the accident aggravated a pre-existing condition, you can claim for the aggravation even if you would have had some back issues anyway. Expert evidence distinguishes baseline from aggravation.
Not always, but for significant injury an MRI is usually arranged by your doctor or consultant. It helps distinguish soft tissue injury from disc involvement and influences both treatment and compensation. We can assist in getting appropriate imaging where needed.
Chronic pain (lasting more than three to six months) is a recognised compensable condition. Independent expert pain management assessment is usually required. Chronic pain claims sit in higher bands because of the ongoing life impact.
It may reduce the special damages component (lost earnings) but does not reduce the general damages for pain and suffering. Many claimants work through back injuries with ongoing discomfort and are still properly compensated.
Two years from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of the injury. Miss it and your claim is statute barred, so contact a solicitor early.
No. The initial consultation at Keans is free. For personal injury cases we discuss all fees in writing before work begins. In contentious business, Irish law prevents solicitors from calculating fees as a percentage of your award or settlement.