A serious injury can affect an individual and their family in both physical and mental respects. Serious injuries do not always result in an admission to hospital as effective early treatment can reduce the need for ‘in-patient’ care, but there will no doubt be long term consequences according to the injury sustained. Physical injuries such as bone fractures, severe cuts and lacerations still affect an individual in an emotional way through absence from work, the inability to mobilise normally and loss of physical interaction with loved ones.
There will no doubt be extra costs to the individual and families as a result of a serious injury, which could be covered through a personal injury claim. Not all employment enables people to receive sick pay; elevated pain levels can lead to the need for medication, which could affect a person’s ability to continue to work in their current role and also incur additional prescription costs. There are often due to travelling to and from specialist rehabilitation centres or hospitals. A personal injury solicitor has the knowledge and expertise to guide clients through the personal injury claim process and ensure a suitable outcome is achieved to relieve some of the pressure resulting from a serious injury.
The life changes experienced by those who are involved in a serious accident or injury are largely dependant on the event and subsequent treatment. Often, as in the case of a head injury, recovery time can vary and the injured party will experience ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days. This variance can, understandably, be frustrating for those involved and often family members will intervene in the completion of daily tasks to save time. In the long term, however, this does not benefit the affected person’s recovery or return to work.
During this difficult time, time and support to recover and return, as far as possible, to a person’s usual physical and cognitive ability should be the main focus. Through a personal injury claim, the extra financial pressures on individuals and their families can be reduced and with the support of a personal injury solicitor the outcome can be far more encouraging.
Serious Law (2011) Effects on performance after head injury [online] http://www.seriousinjurylaw.co.uk/article/effects-on-performance-after-head-injury.php
Safe Speed (2004) Serious injuries in road accidents [online] 9 March 2004, http://www.safespeed.org.uk/serious.html