Spinal surgery claims

When spinal surgery goes wrong, the consequences can be life-changing. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to negligent spinal treatment, you could be eligible to make a claim. Our spinal surgery claims solicitors can support you through every stage of the process.

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Author

Michael Gray

Lead Partner Clinical Negligence Neuro Injury Unit (Brain and Spine)

Reviewer

Kashmir Uppal

Partner & Team Leader

Last Updated

16th July 2026

Can I make a spinal surgery claim?

Spinal surgery claims can be made if you’ve suffered avoidable harm due to negligent care before, during, or after a spinal procedure. Complications following spinal surgery can be devastating, with potential to affect your mobility, physical health, and your overall quality of life.

A spinal surgery claim could be brought forward if you experienced a surgical error that caused you further harm. This might mean you’ve suffered nerve damage during a procedure, your surgeon operated on the wrong spinal level, or they performed an unnecessary or inappropriate procedure. You could also have a claim if you suffered a delayed or missed diagnosis that led to worsening symptoms or more complex surgery, if you were not properly warned about the risks and alternatives before your procedure, or if poor post-operative care led to infection, prolonged recovery, or further injury.

Generally, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or the date you first became aware of it, to start a claim. But, there are exceptions. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for a spinal surgery claim, it’s worth speaking to us as early as possible. We’ll let you know if you have a case.

Example of a spinal surgery claim

Imagine a patient who undergoes a discectomy to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve, but during the procedure the surgeon damages an adjacent nerve, causing permanent numbness and chronic pain. If it can be shown that the damage resulted from a surgical error that fell below an acceptable standard of care, this could form the basis of a spinal surgery claim.

Related spinal surgery claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Funding your recovery, your care, and your future.

Spinal surgery negligence might lead to persistent or worsening pain, loss of sensation or motor function, mobility or balance issues, incontinence or infection. These are significant complications which can have an impact on every part of your life. Seeking a claim for compensation can help you access the treatment and support you need. Both now and in the future.

Successful spinal surgery claims can help fund:

Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Private medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support
Care and support needs at home
Adaptations to your home or vehicle
Specialist equipment and mobility aids
Travel and transport costs related to your recovery

Understanding the potential value

We secured a £3 million settlement for a client who suffered a spinal injury following a delayed diagnosis of a spinal tumour. The compensation allowed our client to buy a new property which was wheelchair accessible and adapted to her needs. The value of a spinal surgery claim depends on the circumstances of each particular case. This includes how severe your injury is, your ability to work, your care needs, and the long-term effects on your independence and quality of life. For example, cases involving nerve damage, paralysis, or permanent disability can result in substantial six or seven-figure settlements.

Understanding interim payments

When pursuing a spinal surgery claims, we understand your injuries might be serious, so you may need to take some time out of work. During this time, particularly while treatment costs are mounting, the financial pressure can be considerable. We’ll request interim payments where possible, so you’ll have access to vital funds before the final settlement is agreed. Interim payments can be used for rehabilitation, home adaptations, care support, or specialist equipment. We can’t always guarantee that an interim payment is possible, but where the case requires it, we will put forward a strong argument. Interim payments can have a significant impact on your recovery.

Specialist spinal surgery claims solicitors

Our specialist spinal surgery claims lawyers are here to help you.

Why choose Fletchers for your spinal surgery claim?

We understand the medical and legal complexities involved with spinal surgery claims. From spinal fusion and discectomy claims to cases involving nerve damage or delayed diagnosis, we know how to secure the compensation our clients deserve. At Fletchers, our solicitors take the time to listen to your story, explain your options clearly, and support you throughout the process. We’ve successfully represented many people who’ve experienced life-altering complications due to negligent spinal surgery – and we have a proven track-record of success.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist spinal surgery and catastrophic injury solicitors
Ranked by Legal 500 as a leading firm in medical negligence
Proven track record in complex, high-value spinal injury cases
In-house rehabilitation and wellbeing team, so you can access the care and support you need early on
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You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

When spinal surgery doesn’t go as planned, the consequences can be truly life-altering. One client we supported came to us after suffering an infection following a routine back surgery to treat sciatica. Our client was previously fit and well, but the delay in treating her infection in time, meant she suffered a devastating incomplete spinal cord injury – causing her to become a permanent wheelchair user. This was a tragic and completely avoidable incident, where our client had her mobility and independence taken from her.

We understand that suffering spinal surgery negligence can alter your life entirely. Like our client above, you might be living with chronic pain, loss of sensation, difficulty walking, and problems with bladder or bowel control. These complications can affect your confidence, family dynamics, and your sense of who you are.

We’re proud of the compassionate and understanding service we provide. When you come to us to pursue a spinal surgery claim, we take the time to listen to your story, build a clear picture of the impact, and support you throughout the process.

Dealing with the circumstances you have found yourself in is challenging. To help remove some of the strain, we handle every part of the legal case on your behalf. We gather medical records, work with independent experts, and build the strongest possible case to support a positive outcome. We’ll keep you updated on the progress, answer your questions, and fight for the compensation you deserve

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FAQs about spinal surgery claims

Can I make a spinal surgery claim if I am not sure it was negligence?

You don’t need to be certain that negligence happened before speaking to us. If you’ve experienced unexpected complications after spinal surgery and believe your care might not have met an acceptable standard, it’s worth getting advice. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to review your situation and advise honestly on whether a claim is likely to succeed. Investigating what happened is part of what we do.

Who can make a spinal surgery negligence claim?

You may be eligible to claim if you underwent spinal surgery and suffered injury or complications as a result, those complications were caused by negligent care rather than an unavoidable risk of surgery, and you can demonstrate that the negligence directly caused or worsened your condition.

How long do I have to make a spinal surgery claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment – or the date you first became aware of it – to start your claim. There are exceptions to this rule:

If the person was under 18 at the time of surgery, the three-year period doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday, so a claim can be brought at any point before they turn 21.
If the person affected lacks the mental capacity to bring a claim themselves, there’s no time limit unless or until they regain capacity.
If you’re claiming on behalf of someone who passed away due to spinal surgery negligence, you typically have three years from the date of death or the date of the inquest.

We always recommend seeking advice as early as possible. Gathering medical records, expert opinions, and evidence takes time, and acting promptly gives your case the best possible foundation.

What evidence is needed for a spinal surgery claim?

To bring a successful claim, you’ll need to show that the care you received fell below a reasonable standard, that this negligence directly caused you harm, and that there is sufficient evidence to support your case. This typically includes:

Medical records and operation notes
Independent medical expert reports assessing whether care was negligent
Witness statements, including your own account
Photographic or written records of symptoms or complications

Our team will help you gather the evidence and manage the process on your behalf.

What can spinal surgery compensation cover?

Spinal surgery compensation can cover a wide range of financial and personal losses, including pain and suffering, loss of earnings (both current and future), the cost of private medical treatment and rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychological support, care and support needs, adaptations to your home or vehicle, specialist equipment, and travel costs related to your recovery. We’ll ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your injury and its impact on your life.

How long will my spinal surgery claim take?

The time it takes to settle a spinal surgery negligence claim depends on the complexity of your case and whether the other side accepts liability. Some cases resolve through negotiation relatively quickly. Others, particularly where liability is disputed or the injuries are severe, take longer. We’ll always keep you informed about progress and work to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible, without compromising the outcome.

How much does it cost to make a spinal surgery claim?

At Fletchers, we handle most spinal surgery claims on a No Win, No Fee basis – also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement. This means there’s no upfront cost to you and nothing to pay during the process. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay us anything for the work we’ve done. If your claim succeeds, a pre-agreed success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This will be clearly explained to you from the outset, so there are no surprises.