Today marks Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day. Elen Hawkley, Solicitor in our Clinical Negligence team, looks at the spinal injury, the people it effects and the awareness day itself.
This important annual event raises awareness of spinal cord injury (SCI) and the profound impact it has on the thousands of people affected across the UK. It also highlights the challenges faced by those living with the consequences of such injuries, as well as their families and support networks.
The spinal cord is a vital structure. It is a long, tube-like bundle of nerves extending from the base of the brain down the spine, allowing essential messages to travel between the brain and the rest of the body. These messages control movement, sensation, and many bodily functions.
When the spinal cord is damaged, whether as a result of a traumatic injury such as a fall or road traffic accident, or a non-traumatic cause such as a medical complication, these vital messages can become disrupted. This can result in muscle weakness, loss of sensation, paralysis, and other serious neurological consequences. Damage to the cauda equina – the bundle of nerves at the base of the spinal cord – can also lead to devastating outcomes if not diagnosed and treated urgently.
According to the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), 2024 statistics show that:
- Around 4,400 people in the UK sustain or are diagnosed with a spinal cord injury each year.
- The total UK population living with a SCI is estimated to be over 105,000.
While the level and severity of injury varies, spinal cord injury is almost always life changing. For many, it can be catastrophic. But crucially, early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate medical intervention can make a significant difference in improving long-term outcomes and limiting the extent of injury.
Support is available. The SIA and other dedicated charities offer guidance, support, and a strong sense of community to those affected. Each year, the SIA joins with eight other charities to mark Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, celebrating the resilience and achievements of those living with SCI.
This year, the SIA is highlighting the theme ‘A life well lived’.
As the organisation explains:
“We’re showcasing what true quality of life looks like for people with SCI and celebrating independence, connection, and dignity, while also drawing attention to where current systems and support still fall short.”
Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have supported many individuals who have sustained spinal cord injuries as a result of delays in diagnosis, failures in treatment, or surgical errors. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered avoidable harm, we can advise whether you may be entitled to bring a claim for compensation.
