There are more whiplash neck injury compensation claim settlements than settlements for all other injuries put together, passing through the County Courts. The injury ranges from mild to severe and includes chronic conditions particularly for the elderly who are often vulnerable to injury in this region of the body. It can include damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, articulating joints, nerves and cartilage. In extreme circumstances the injury may require surgical intervention by fusion of the vertebrae in the neck.
Awards of damages in a whiplash neck injury compensation claim start at about £2,000 and dependent on the extent of the injury, the recovery period and whether or not there are long term or chronic complications sums in excess of £100,000 can be awarded. Damages include sums for pain and suffering, loss of amenity in the usual pleasures of life, disadvantage on the job market, loss of wages both past and estimated for the future together with all reasonable expenses and other losses.
There has been a lot of speculation over the years about the mechanics of this injury to the neck (cervical spine). Umbrella Claims lawyers have represented numerous victims pursuing a whiplash neck injury compensation claim through the court system and the general consensus of medical opinion is that a rear end collision causes the victims body to be propelled forwards at speed, however the flexibility of the neck ensures that the head, which is heavy, does not keep up with the body’s forward motion thus causing trauma and stretching to the neck muscles. Once the musculature has stretched to the limit, the head then moves forward and in an over compensatory reflex motion causes further stretching. The effect of this motion is to rock the head violently backwards and moments later to rock the head violently forwards. Muscles that are stretched to their limits are often damaged by bruising and tearing and the trauma of rapid acceleration/deceleration may also affect other structural elements within the neck. The overall effect of this trauma is to produce swelling which may impact on the nerves causing further pain and discomfort. This injury can be further exacerbated and hyper-flexion injuries (the head and neck bending too far backwards and/or forwards) with a rotational element which causes even more serious injury are common.
Umbrella Claims is a specialist organisation that deals exclusively with accident compensation claims on a No Win No Fee basis. Win or lose there is no charge*. This means that you never have to pay anything to us or our personal injury solicitors. All compensation received of whatever nature is paid to you in full without any deduction whatsoever - absolutely guaranteed. We will minimalise any inconvenience to you and we offer free advice without obligation from some of the best lawyers in the business. We ensure that our client’s interests are a priority and our lawyers deal with claims in a friendly, efficient and competent manner to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve in the shortest time scale possible.