HEAD INJURY COMPENSATION CLAIM

These injuries are usually caused by road traffic accidents (especially bike and motorcycle accidents), falls or work accidents. The head is particularly susceptible to acceleration/deceleration and rotational forces because it is heavy in relation to its size, is freely mobile in 3 dimensions and occupies a relatively unstable position (the only support being the neck muscles). If your injury is the result of somebody else’s negligence or fault, then you may be entitled to make a head injury compensation claim. To make a claim you should seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury solicitor.

Injuries can range from relatively minor damage to the scalp and face including cuts, abrasions and bruising to more serious consequences involving damage to the brain. Those with permanent and ongoing symptoms may have difficulties adjusting, resulting in relationship problems, financial problems and psychological difficulties. The amount awarded in a head injury compensation claim can be substantial, frequently amounting to millions of pounds, for very serious injury which requires ongoing care.

If you have suffered a head injury then you should seek medical advice. If you are experiencing any ongoing symptoms, you should speak to your doctor urgently. Your doctor may refer you for tests (such as MRI, CAT Scan, X-rays) and send you to a specialist such as a Neurologist or Neuropsychologist.

When to call for medical help - Emergency medical treatment may be necessary if:

• there is severe head or facial bleeding
• change in level of consciousness, even if temporary
• confusion
• black-and-blue discoloration below the eyes or behind the ears
• breathing stops
• loss of balance
• weakness or an inability to use an arm or leg
• visual problems
• repeated vomiting
• seizures

Types of injuries:

• concussion is a jarring injury - a person who has a concussion usually passes out for a short while.
• a contusion is a bruise - this means there is some bleeding which causes swelling
• cerebral edema (intracranial pressure) refers to swelling
• a skull fracture is when a crack occurs in the skull - sometimes the edges of broken skull bones cut into the brain causing it to bleed.
• haematoma is bleeding that collects and clots - there are 4 types of intracranial haemorrhages- extradural, subdural, subarachnoid, and intracerebral haemorrhage.

There may be long-term consequences. Signs of serious damage include:

• physical disabilities
• sensory disabilities (sight, smell)
• personality change
• cognitive disabilities (difficulty thinking clearly, planning and following through, memory problems, problem solving difficulties, poor concentration)
• difficulty expressing or understanding language
• aggression
• depression
• anxiety
• impulsiveness
• mood swings
• headaches

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers:

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹