Catastrophic Injury Guide
This is a wide area, covering very severe injuries which can often resulting in varying levels of paralysis. The lower end of the scale of nerve injuries starts with simple nerve damage, which may or may not recover with time. Brachial plexus injuries, where the arm is partially or fully paralysed, are particularly common in motorcycle accidents. At the higher end are paraplegia, tetraplegia, quadriplegia or even a permanent vegetative state. These cases always require planning for the long-term, usually the rest of the client's life. Whilst it may seem very mercenary, you need to be able to focus on your recovery and trying to get your life back. Someone else needs to be out there fighting your corner.
We know, both professionally and in some cases personally, just how devastating catastrophic injuries can be, whether they are amputations, spinal injuries, head injuries or serious orthopaedic/neurological injuries. We are absolutely committed to helping with all the needs of our clients and their families. We will not falsely raise hopes, nor will we set unrealistically low targets. As long as it is to the benefit of our clients, we work with the other side to ensure our clients get the best rehabilitation available and the best chance of returning to work and/or a meaningful life.
We can arrange specialist vocational rehabilitation and training, as well as nursing care needs. We also carry out personal injury trusts work, to assist our clients to manage their finances and compensation. All catastrophic injury cases are dealt with by dual qualified barristers and solicitors, so you get the best of both sides of the legal profession, the administrative and tactical skills of the solicitor combined with the advocacy and trial preparation skills of the barrister.
We can and do provide benefits advice, rehabilitation advisors, immediate home visits, specialist assessments of living accommodation both by architects and disability living advisers and, in the case of amputation, specialist prosthetics advice on robotic limbs.
How much?
The more serious the case the harder it is to give absolute advice on the value. High value cases are high value because of ongoing losses, such as loss of earnings or care. The value of any injury is only ever a small part of this. However, the following guidelines may be of use:
| 1 | Brachial plexus injury to the arm | £12,250 to £83,500 |
| 2 | Quadriplegia | £206,750 to £257,750 |
| 3 | Paraplegia | £140,000 to £181,500 |
Conclusion
As a specialist practice we do not forget the other elements which go to make claims for very serious injuries high, such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction and infertility, nursing care and aids around the house, as well as necessary building works.
We do not fear Court and will always take a case to trial if we believe it is in your best interests. We regard it as our job to obtain the maximum fair compensation and not to simply negotiate the best deal without going to Court. As a practice we have a reputation of being ready, willing and able to go to Court.
As a highly specialist firm, we use specialist expert witnesses in the fields of spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry, nursing, rehabilitation care and care management, education and future employment, housing needs and adaptations (including house searching where bungalows are rare) and forensic accountancy.
If you are thinking about changing solicitors we will give you an honest appraisal of the advice that you are receiving. We do not want to take cases over from other firms of solicitors where the current solicitors are doing a good job. There are, however, solicitors, claims managers and lawyers who are simply out of their depth or do not have the expertise necessary to deal with these types of cases.
To find out more about how we can help please contact us on 01296 662770 to discuss the matter further.
