Major trauma injuries compensation claims solicitors

We have an extensive history of acting for individuals who have suffered complex or multiple injuries, for example we represented clients injured during the Paddington Rail Crash and the Ufton Nervet Rail Crash. 

We commonly see major trauma injuries such as the following:

• Head injuries, including skull fractures or haematoma’s/brain bleeds
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Spinal fractures
• Traumatic amputations
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Stab wounds
• Facial trauma
• Multiple broken bones
• Degloving injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Internal injuries such as collapsed lungs, pneumothorax or diaphragmatic rupture

Claimants have 3 years from the date of an accident to make a claim, or in the case of a child, 3 years after their 18^th birthday.  

The earlier you involve us the better, as we can help with treatment, care and support following discharge from hospital where needed.

This depends on whether the defendant admits liability for your accident and the nature and severity of your injuries. Most cases involving major trauma take an average of 3-4 years to settle. In cases where there is an early admission of liability and a good recovery from a major trauma injury, it may be less and in cases involving children or where liability is denied and injuries are very complex, it can be longer.

This is the award for your past and future losses and expenses. We will ask you to provide details and documentary evidence of this so that we can prepare a document called a “Schedule of Special Damages”. Special damages can include the following:

• Travel expenses - You can claim for all your reasonable travel costs arising out of your accident for example, to/from medical appointments, hospital, GP etc. Keep a note of all your appointments and how you got there. If you drive record your return mileage and any parking expenses. If you go by public transport keep your receipts or a record of dates and cost.
   
• Medical treatment/Prescription charges - Any prescription charges or over the counter medication purchased will be reimbursed - keep receipts where possible. You can recover the cost of private medical treatment where appropriate including therapy, rehabilitation and operative procedures. If you make a claim on your private healthcare insurance, notify your insurer of your claim as we will make a claim for their outlay as part of your personal injury claim.
   
• Damaged personal items - You can recover the cost of lost or damaged personal items in your accident e.g. mobile phone, damaged bicycle or vehicle, vehicle contents, clothing. Where possible, provide receipts or photographs and details of where, when and how much you purchased the items for, or obtain proof of replacement cost.
   
• Loss of earnings - If you are unable to return to any form of work, we will make a claim for your loss of earnings from the date of the accident until normal retirement age. If you cannot return to full time or pre accident work we will ensure you receive help to find alternative work through retraining where necessary (vocational or educational rehabilitation) and recover any losses arising from this.
   
• Care and assistance - If you require assistance with your care needs following an accident, either from family or friends (“gratuitous care”) or professionally, we can make a claim the time spent by family and friends or for the cost of professional care. Where family or friends have provided care and household assistance, taken you to appointments or provided emotional support, keep a diary of the date, time and nature of this assistance so that we can make a claim for care and assistance on your behalf.
   
• Loss of services (gardening, decorating, DIY) - In many cases our clients can no longer engage in gardening, decorating or DIY due to their major trauma injuries and may rely on family and friends or have to pay someone professional to provide these services, the cost of which we can include in your claim.
   
• Housing - If your home is no longer suitable to your needs, it may be adapted where possible or you may need to look for alternative accommodation. We will instruct a housing expert to advise on this where appropriate.
   
• Transport - Your ability to drive may be affected by your physical or psychological injuries either permanently or temporarily after your accident. In most cases, we can arrange a driving assessment as part of your claim, to see whether there is a suitable vehicle (which may need adaptation) to allow you to drive independently. Some of our clients also benefit from driving confidence courses to help them return to driving. Where major trauma results in the need for a wheelchair and prevents you from returning to driving, or where you have never driven, but require a vehicle large enough to transport your wheelchair, we will assist you in identifying a suitable vehicle. All reasonable expense related to the above can be claimed on your behalf.
   
• Aids and equipment - You may need mobility aids such as orthotics, prosthetics or a wheelchair, assistive technology to help you lead an independent life, or aids/gadgets to allow you to do certain activities independently. We will obtain early OT and expert opinion on aids and equipment in order to obtain items as soon as possible and ensure your future compensation covers the cost of replacement and insurance.