Coiled snake for a start causes injury (6)
I believe the answer is:
wounds
'causes injury' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'coiled snake for a start' is the wordplay.
'coiled' becomes 'wound' (similar in meaning).
'for a start' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'snake' is 's'.
'wound'+'s'='WOUNDS'
(Other definitions for wounds that I've seen before include "Lesions, injuries" , "Hurts, emotionally or physically" , "Inflicts damage to body or feelings" , "Injuries caused by stabs or blows" , "wings" .)