| A serious head injury nearly always used to mean | | | | injury claims solicitor to help them investigate a claim |
| long term difficulties, impact on employment and care | | | | for compensation. Once the solicitor has investigated |
| problems. However, over the years there have been | | | | the circumstances of the accident and satisfied |
| significant developments and improvements as | | | | himself that the victim has good prospects of making |
| regards head injury treatment, meaning that a head | | | | a successful claim, the first thing he will look to do is |
| injury accident victim may well make a full recovery | | | | to engage the services of a Case Manager to |
| now in cases where that would not have been | | | | manage the rehabilitation. This person is usually a |
| possible in the past. Advances in medical treatment | | | | former Nurse, and is often appointed jointly by the |
| methods have been substantial, but in addition to this | | | | victim's solicitor and the insurance company defending |
| the legal and insurance industries have worked | | | | the compensation claim. |
| together to improve the recovery. It is in both | | | | The Case Manager will assess the treatment already |
| parties interests to gain the best recovery possible. | | | | received and also investigate other future treatment |
| The lawyer wants his client to make as full a | | | | that may be available. They will work with the head |
| recovery as possible, and for the insurance company | | | | injury victim to ensure that all is done to improve |
| if this happens then ultimately the amount of | | | | their prospects of making as full a recovery as |
| compensation that they will have to pay out will be | | | | possible, including career retraining if necessary. They |
| reduced as the issues of long term care and lack of | | | | will also assess the house of the victim, and arrange |
| employment can be reduced or even removed. It is | | | | for any modifications to the house that need to be |
| the combined effort of all parties that has seen real | | | | made. In severe cases, the victim may need to be |
| strides forward as regards to head injury treatment. | | | | re-housed completely, with the insurance company |
| The largest group of sufferers of head injuries are | | | | paying the costs of this re-housing. Counselling may |
| young people with in the region of 7,500 suffering | | | | also be needed. |
| head injuries every year in the United Kingdom. | | | | If the victim is unable to return to work despite |
| Fortunately, the majority of these injuries are minor, | | | | receiving all of the head injury treatment that has |
| although even these can lead to some long term | | | | been recommended, the solicitor will seek payments |
| complications. Road traffic accidents are the largest | | | | for the lost earnings to ensure that they can |
| cause of the injuries, although work accidents and | | | | continue to live as normal a life as possible and to |
| accidents on the streets also play their part. | | | | avoid unnecessary financial hardship. |
| Initial assessment might not reveal any significant | | | | Summary |
| problems, but over a period of time long-term | | | | Although it may take months or years, the chances |
| effects can develop, such as post traumatic epilepsy | | | | of a complete or near complete recovery these days |
| or hydrocephalus which is where fluid collects around | | | | are far better than they used to be. Early medical |
| the brain. This can lead to changes in the accident | | | | and legal intervention is vital to ensure the best |
| victim's behaviour, lack of concentration and even | | | | prospects of recovery. If you have noticed a change |
| depression. | | | | in behaviour of a partner, friend or family member |
| How Does Making A Compensation Claim Help With | | | | following an impact to the head, you must refer |
| Head Injury Treatment? | | | | them back for treatment as soon as possible. This |
| Once the initial care has been commenced an | | | | will provide them with the best chances of making a |
| accident victim will usually approach a specialist head | | | | recovery. |