Rehabilitation package for serious head injury victim

Access Legal from Shoosmiths obtained funding for a wide-ranging package of therapies to aid the rehabilitation of a cyclist suffering the long-term effects of a serious head injury.

What did we do?

Access Legal from Shoosmiths took up the cyclist's claim after she was dissatisfied with previous legal advice. We immediately obtained a £10,000 interim payment from the defendant's insurer in order to put into practice a range of measures recommended by the client's medical advisers to assist her recovery. A further £15,000 interim payment has been agreed in order to continue with the treatment.

Background

Our client was injured early in 2006 in a road traffic accident that was not her fault. She suffered a severe traumatic brain injury which has affected her memory, her concentration and problem-solving abilities.

There has also been damage to the inner ear, leaving her with a persistent sensation of dizziness. Prior to the accident, our client was an exceptionally active woman. Her subsequent injuries have caused a significant alteration to her personality and prevent her from carrying out many day-to-day activities.

The payments will enable our client to receive further cognitive behavioural therapy sessions, home visits from a neuro-physiotherapist to assist with her balance, and an occupational therapist to help her reorganise her home so that she can cope better.

There are also plans to engage a 'buddy' to complement the work of the cognitive behavioural therapist, and a domestic assistant for a few hours each week. A final prognosis of our client's condition is expected to be forthcoming from medico-legal experts within the next 12 months.

Who dealt with the case?

This case is being handled by Barbara Woodbridge, an associate in Access Legal from Shoosmiths' Northampton personal injury team. Barbara is a solicitor specialising in complex neurological injuries, including catastrophic head and spinal injuries. She is a Member of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel, and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Barbara said: "When victims of accidents consider the prospect of engaging a solicitor to deal with their claim, they often assume that their solicitor's sole function is to obtain compensation.

"However, a solicitor can do a great deal more, which can assist victims and their families on a practical basis whilst the claim is going through. Access Legal from Shoosmiths has a team of specialists in the field of brain injury who are able to advise and assist throughout the life of a claim, and beyond."

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