Spinal Cord Injury Compensation Claims
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Principal Lawyer and Director · Last updated 31 July 2026
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Key Takeaway: You may be entitled to spinal cord injury compensation after a motor vehicle accident if your injuries meet the 11% whole person impairment threshold and you were not mostly at fault. Report the accident to police within 28 days, and you can claim a lump sum within 3 years.
Spinal Cord Injury Compensation: Quick Answers
Damage to any part of the spinal cord may affect the sensory, motor, and reflex skills of the injured person as the brain signals will be received by some parts of the body. Spinal cord injuries generally limit work and daily life. Regardless of where you suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to claim spinal cord injury compensation.
Damage to any part of the spinal cord may affect the sensory, motor, and reflex skills of the injured person as the brain signals will be received by some parts of the body. Spinal cord injuries generally limit work and daily life. Regardless of where you suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to claim spinal cord injury compensation.
What can I claim?
If you suffered a motor vehicle injury as a result of (such as car, motorbike, truck accident) you may be entitled to the benefits below:
- Medical expenses – such as physiotherapy, surgery, home modifications, necessary special equipment and vehicle
- Income support payments – for 6 months to compensate time off work
- Domestic assistance – the cost of a support worker or paid nurse if your injuries are assessed as non-minor and you are not mostly at fault
- Common law claim for modified damages – lump sum payout if your injuries were non-minor and you were not mostly at fault
- Pain and suffering – lump sum payout if your injuries meet the 11% whole person impairment threshold and you are not mostly at fault.
As it is mentioned above, you might be entitled to different benefits if you are not injured due to a motor vehicle accident.
Please go to our Public Liability Claim page if you are injured due to slip and fall in a public place, or go to Workers Compensation Claim page if you are injured at work.
Time limit
- The time limit is 28 days if you want to claim statutory benefits for loss of wages. If not, the time limit is 3 months.
- You can claim a lump sum payout on top of statutory benefits within 3 years.
How to claim?
You can call our personal injury lawyers as soon as you become aware of your injury or at any step of your claim. Also, you may follow the steps below to claim motor vehicle accident compensation:
Steps that you may follow if you had a motor vehicle accident
- Report the motor vehicle accident to the police within 28 days and note the event number
- Seek medical treatment and obtain a Certificate of Capacity from your General Practitioner
- Complete the Personal Injury Benefits form (PIBF)
- Send the completed PIBF form to the at fault’s, motor vehicle’s greenslip insurer within 28 days.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer for legal advice to know whether you are eligible to claim a lump sum payment.
In most situations, when legal procedures are started, the parties meet to negotiate a settlement of the matter, which is referred to as an informal settlement conference, conciliation or mediation, depending on under which scheme the claim is getting processed. The majority of cases are resolved without the determination at a final hearing.
How much can I receive for spinal cord injury compensation?
The amount of spinal cord compensation payment you may get is determined by a number of factors such as the severity of your injury and under which scheme you are eligible to make a claim.
Your compensating payments may exceed a million dollars when other benefits are included. Call our personal injury lawyers on 1800 952 898 to calculate your spinal cord compensation benefits today!
How much time does a spinal cord injury claim take?
The duration varies according to the level of the injury and the time it takes to be stabilised. However, generally speaking, a spinal cord injury may take 1.5 to 2 years to be settled. You can reach us for a more detailed answer for your claim.
No Win No Fee lawyers
Our personal injury lawyers can guide you through all types of spinal cord injury compensation claims. Our team at Withstand Lawyers works on a No Win No Fee basis; meaning that you don’t pay for our costs upfront for our legal assistance if we are unable to win your claim. Feel free to fill in the form to talk to one of our lawyers!
Spinal Cord Injury Compensation FAQ
What can I claim after a spinal cord injury from a car accident?
You may claim medical expenses such as physiotherapy, surgery, home modifications and special equipment, plus income support payments for up to 6 months to compensate time off work. Domestic assistance and a common law lump sum are also available if your injuries are non-minor and you were not mostly at fault.
How long can I receive income support for a spinal cord injury?
Income support payments are available for up to 6 months to compensate you for time off work following a spinal cord injury. If your injuries are assessed as non-minor and you were not mostly at fault, you may also access domestic assistance covering the cost of a support worker or paid nurse during your recovery.
What is the whole person impairment threshold for a lump sum?
To receive a lump sum payout for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the 11% whole person impairment threshold and you must not be mostly at fault. Spinal cord injuries frequently reach this threshold, but a proper medical assessment of your whole person impairment is required before the lump sum can be confirmed.
How soon must I report a motor vehicle accident to the police?
You must report the motor vehicle accident to the police within 28 days and note the event number. This 28 day step is important because it supports your claim, and the completed Personal Injury Benefits Form (PIBF) must also be sent to the at-fault vehicle’s greenslip insurer within 28 days.
What documents do I need to start a spinal cord injury claim?
You will need to seek medical treatment and obtain a Certificate of Capacity from your General Practitioner, then complete the Personal Injury Benefits Form (PIBF). The PIBF is sent to the at-fault motor vehicle’s greenslip insurer within 28 days of the accident, alongside the police event number from your report.
What are the time limits for a spinal cord injury claim?
The time limit is 28 days if you want to claim statutory benefits for loss of wages; otherwise the time limit is 3 months. You can claim a lump sum payout on top of your statutory benefits within 3 years of the motor vehicle accident, so acting promptly protects your entitlements.
How long does a spinal cord injury claim take to settle?
A spinal cord injury claim generally takes 1.5 to 2 years to be settled. This is because your whole person impairment and the long-term impact of the injury on work and daily life must be fully assessed before a fair settlement figure can be reached. Early legal advice helps keep the process on track.
Do I have to pay upfront to run a spinal cord injury claim?
No. Our spinal cord injury claims are run on a No Win No Fee basis with no upfront costs, so you can pursue compensation without paying legal fees along the way. You can call our personal injury lawyers as soon as you become aware of your injury, or at any step of your claim.
About the author
Issa Rabaya · Principal Lawyer and Director
✓ Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia ✓ LLB ✓ IRO-approved ✓ Law Society of NSW
Acts for injured people in CTP, workers compensation, TPD and public liability claims.
Why Choose Withstand Lawyers for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
A spinal cord injury changes everything, and you deserve a team that treats your recovery and your future with the seriousness it demands. Withstand Lawyers has spent decades helping people with the most serious injuries secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We handle every spinal cord injury claim personally, guiding you through statutory benefits, whole person impairment assessments and lump sum entitlements so nothing is missed. Withstand Lawyers knows how much is at stake, and our proven success comes from fighting hard for every client while keeping you informed at each step. Over $47 million recovered, 99% success rate, no win, no fee.
Call Withstand Lawyers on 1800 952 898 for your free claim check today.
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