A brain or head injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. Whether from a workplace accident, road traffic collision, or a fall in a public place, the consequences can be devastating – not just for the victim, but for their entire family. While some people recover fully from their injuries, others face permanent disabilities requiring lifelong care and support.
Understanding your rights to compensation is critical during this challenging time. The right legal support can help secure the financial resources needed for specialist treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Our experienced team of brain injury solicitors understands the complexities of these cases and the profound impact they have on victims and their families.
With decades of experience in handling catastrophic injury claims, we’ve helped numerous clients secure substantial compensation packages that have funded their recovery and supported their families through difficult times. We know that every brain injury case is unique, which is why we provide personalised legal support tailored to your specific circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
Making a brain injury compensation claim rests on establishing that another party’s negligence caused your injury. This legal principle applies whether you’ve suffered injury in a workplace incident, road traffic collision, or public place accident.
The law recognises various scenarios where negligence might occur. An employer might have failed to provide adequate safety equipment or proper training, and could therefore be held liable if you injure your head at work. A driver might have breached road safety rules leading to a collision. Medical professionals might have made errors during treatment. Even accidents that often appear innocuous can lead to catastrophic injuries, including a slip on a hard floor, tripping on a dangerous pavement or even within a safe office environment. In each case, the key is proving that someone had a duty of care towards you and failed to meet that obligation.
Time Limits
Generally, you have three years from the date of injury to begin legal proceedings. However, brain injuries present unique circumstances. If the injury has left someone without mental capacity, the time limit might not apply. For children, the three-year countdown only begins on their 18th birthday. Family members can act as representatives for those unable to manage their own claims.
No Win No Fee Claims
The financial burden of a brain injury shouldn’t be compounded by legal costs. Our No Win No Fee agreement removes this worry. This arrangement means you won’t face upfront legal fees, and you’ll only pay if your claim succeeds. Even then, most costs are recovered from the other side, with only a small, legally capped success fee deducted from your compensation.
This approach ensures access to justice for everyone, regardless of their financial situation. It allows you to focus on what matters most – recovery and rehabilitation – while we handle the legal complexities of your claim.
Brain injuries vary significantly in their nature and severity. Traumatic brain injuries occur from direct impact or force, such as in road accidents or falls. These might range from mild concussions, where symptoms resolve within weeks, to severe trauma causing permanent disability. The most serious cases often involve skull fractures, brain contusions, or diffuse axonal injuries that disrupt vital neural pathways.
Non-traumatic brain injuries, though less visible, can be equally devastating. These typically stem from medical conditions or clinical negligence. Oxygen deprivation during medical procedures, undiagnosed infections, or missed stroke symptoms can all lead to significant brain damage. The effects might not be immediately apparent but can emerge as serious long-term complications.
Compensation Amounts for Brain & Head Injuries
Brain injury compensation reflects both the immediate and long-term impact of the injury. The most severe cases, where victims require round-the-clock care and show minimal environmental response, can attract compensation exceeding £400,000. These figures acknowledge the profound life changes victims and their families face.
Moderately severe cases, where substantial dependence on others exists, typically receive between £219,070 and £282,010. This compensation recognises the need for ongoing care and support, while also accounting for lost earning potential and lifestyle changes. Even less severe injuries, where good recovery occurs but some problems persist, warrant substantial compensation to ensure proper support during recovery.
Beyond these base amounts, your claim will include special damages covering specific financial losses. This encompasses medical treatment costs, rehabilitation fees, lost earnings, and necessary home modifications. We carefully calculate these expenses, considering both current needs and future requirements, to ensure your settlement provides long-term security.
Severity of Brain or Head Injury | Compensation Amount |
---|---|
Very severe brain damage | £265k – £379k |
Moderately severe brain damage | £206k – £265k |
Moderate brain damage | £40k – £206k |
Less severe brain damage | £14k – £40k |
Minor brain or head injury | £2k – £12k |
Epilepsy | £10k – £141k |
The Claims Process
Securing compensation for a brain injury requires careful handling and expert guidance. The process begins with a thorough assessment of your case, including gathering medical evidence and accident documentation. We work closely with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries and their likely long-term impact.
Early intervention often proves crucial. We can seek interim payments to fund immediate rehabilitation needs while your full claim progresses. This ensures you receive vital support when you need it most, rather than waiting for final settlement.
Building Your Case
Securing appropriate compensation requires comprehensive evidence and expert testimony. Medical reports form the cornerstone of your claim, documenting not only the immediate injury but also providing detailed prognosis for future recovery. Specialist neurologists and rehabilitation experts help establish the full extent of your injury and ongoing care needs.
We work closely with medical professionals, occupational therapists, and care specialists to build a complete picture of your needs. Their insights prove invaluable in calculating the true cost of your injury, from immediate medical expenses to long-term rehabilitation requirements. This thorough approach ensures your compensation reflects both current and future needs.
Supporting Your Recovery
Recovery from a brain injury often requires a multi-faceted approach. While the legal process progresses, we focus equally on securing support for your rehabilitation. This might involve arranging specialist treatment, coordinating with rehabilitation centres, or organising home adaptations to improve your quality of life.
Our experience shows that early intervention significantly improves recovery outcomes. Through interim payments, we can often secure funding for immediate rehabilitation needs before your claim concludes. This approach ensures you receive vital support when it matters most, rather than waiting for final settlement.
Your Next Steps
Taking legal action after a brain injury might seem daunting, but it’s crucial for securing the support you need. Our specialist solicitors understand the challenges you face and will guide you through each step of the claims process. We handle all legal complexities while you focus on recovery.
Our expertise in catastrophic injury claims, combined with our No Win No Fee approach, ensures you receive the highest quality legal support without financial risk.
Contact us for a free, confidential discussion about your case. To find out more about your compensation rights or to start your claim today, call us on 01225 430285 or if you prefer, . In just a few minutes on the telephone with you, we’ll obtain the initial information needed for our solicitors to commence a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Complex brain injury claims typically take 18-36 months, though some may resolve sooner or take longer depending on circumstances.
You may still claim compensation, though the amount might be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
Yes, compensation covers both physical and psychological impacts of brain injuries.
Most claims settle without court proceedings, but we prepare thoroughly if court becomes necessary.
Under our No Win No Fee agreement, you only pay if successful, and this is capped at a percentage of your compensation.
6 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question