Head Injuries

A serious head injury refers to any injury to the brain or skull that can result in significant physical, cognitive or emotional impairments. These serious injuries can occur due to various reasons such as road traffic accidents, falls, workplace incidents or acts of violence.

The effects of a serious head injury typically encompass more severe conditions such as brain damage, chronic headaches, seizures, memory loss, and even permanent disability. The symptoms and long-term impact can vary widely, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.

Given the complex nature of serious head injuries, seeking professional legal advice from a team like Ramsdens is essential. Our head injury solicitors are experienced in handling cases related to head injuries and can guide you through the legal process to ensure that you receive the support and compensation you deserve.

Head injuries can be caused by a range of accidents, including slips and trips, road traffic incidents or accidents at work. And, if you have sustained this type of injury through no fault of your own, it is necessary to take certain steps to determine the type of injury you have, and to exclude potentially life-threatening consequences. The head can be injured in a number of ways, but the most common types of incident include:

• Road traffic accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Cycling accidents
• Accidents at work
• Clinical negligence
• Industrial accidents
• Construction accidents

All head injuries require immediate assessment by a health professional, regardless of their apparent severity. At Ramsdens, we understand the distinctions that need to be made when assessing how to proceed with your case, along with the type of future assistance you may require.

The effects of a serious head injury typically encompass more severe conditions such as brain damage, chronic headaches, seizures, memory loss, and even permanent disability. The symptoms and long-term impact can vary widely, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.

There are a variety of symptoms to look out for if you have sustained a head injury, and these could be indicative of a more serious condition. These include:

• A worsening headache
• Confusion or problems speaking or communicating
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Loss of use of part of the body
• Problems with vision, such as blurring or double vision
• Fitting, seizures or collapse
• Blood or clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears
• Unusual breathing patterns
• Changes in your personality

Determining whether you have a valid head injury claim depends on several key factors, and consulting with a specialist solicitor like Ramsdens can help you understand your unique situation. Some general considerations as to whether you can make a claim are:

• Liability: someone else was directly or partially at fault for the accident that caused your head or brain injury. This could be due to negligence, a breach of duty or an unlawful act. It is important to note that we approach claims for injuries from crimes differently. Learn more here
• Injury: you have suffered a head injury that has been diagnosed and treated by a medical professional
• Causation: there is a clear link between the accident and the head injury you sustained

Making a head injury compensation claim becomes more manageable with advice from our team. Here’s a step-by-step guide of how to get your claim started and what the process typically looks like:

1. Consult a medical professional: before you do anything else, seek immediate medical attention to diagnose and document the injury. Do not compromise your own health and safety or delay a diagnosis as head and brain injuries can carry serious consequences.
2. Contact Ramsdens: reach out to the specialists at Ramsdens to discuss your head or brain injury. We will hold an initial consultation to understand your case and explain any questions you may have.
3. Gather evidence: with your solicitor’s guidance, compile all the necessary evidence such as medical reports, witness statements, and any other relevant information that may support your claim.
4. Submit the claim: we will assist you in submitting your claim to the responsible party’s insurance company, outlining the nature of the injury, how it occurred and the compensation sought, backed up by the evidence we have gathered.
5. Negotiation and settlement: we will negotiate with the insurance company or responsible party on your behalf, aiming for the best possible settlement. If an agreement cannot be reached, your solicitor will guide you through the legal process to take the claim to Court.
6. Receive compensation: once the claim is settled, your solicitor will ensure your compensation is paid and that it accurately reflects your losses.

When you work with us to make a head or brain injury claim, we will guide you through the entire process with minimal stress, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Collecting substantial evidence is an essential part of making head and brain injury claims, and we can guide you through the process to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation. The evidence may include:

• Medical records: comprehensive medical documentation of your head injury, including diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, will be vital to demonstrate the nature and extent of your injury
• Accident reports: if applicable, police or workplace accident reports can substantiate how the incident occurred
• Witness statements: statements from witnesses who saw the accident can support your version of events
• Photographic or video evidence: photos or videos of the accident scene, injuries, or any contributing factors (e.g. faulty equipment) can be powerful visual evidence
• Financial documents: if claiming for financial losses, include evidence such as wage slips or bills related to medical treatment or property damage
• Expert opinions: your solicitor may contact experts to provide opinions on liability, medical matters, or other issues to strengthen your claim

Our experienced head injury claims solicitors will assist you in gathering and presenting all necessary evidence to build a strong case for your claim.

You typically have three years from the date of the accident or the date when you became aware of the injury to commence legal proceedings. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

• Children: if the injured person is under 18 at the time of the injury, the three-year time limit usually starts from their 18th birthday, giving them until the age of 21 to bring the claim
• Mental capacity: if the injured person lacks mental capacity, they will not be subject to a time limit
• Criminal injuries: if the injury resulted from a criminal act, different time limits may apply. Our CICA Solicitors deal with injuries sustained from crimes

Given the complexity of the time limits and potential exceptions, it is advisable to contact Ramsdens as soon as possible after the injury. The sooner you do, the sooner we can begin to build your case.

The duration of the head injury claims process can vary significantly based on the individual circumstances of your case. Typically, a straightforward head injury claim might be resolved in a matter of months, while more complex cases could take years. Any disputes and court proceedings will likely cause it to take longer, but with the help of expert solicitors, you can be sure these will go as smoothly as possible.

Our specialist team will be able to provide an estimated timeline based on your specific situation, and we will work diligently to move the claim forward efficiently while ensuring your best interests are protected.

You can make a head injury compensation claim on behalf of someone else if they are unable to do so themselves. This is commonly done in situations where the injured person is a child, lacks mental capacity or died due to their injury.

Whether pursuing a claim for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, Ramsdens offers the expertise and dedication needed to navigate the legal complexities of head injury claims.

While many head injury claims are settled out of Court through negotiations, there may be instances where Court proceedings are necessary. However, our solicitors make every effort to negotiate an appropriate settlement without the need for Court proceedings, which is often how such cases are resolved. If Court action is required, our solicitors will represent you, guiding you through every stage of the process and ensuring that you are fully prepared.