When someone suffers major trauma as the result of an accident it is most important that they receive the treatment and care that they need to make the best recovery they can. Often others can be affected by what has happened and it will be very important for those close to the injured person to receive help and support too.
The early stages after suffering serious injury often play a major part in determining what the final outcome will be for that person’s recovery. Therefore, during this time, starting the process of making a claim for compensation may not be something which is considered a priority. However, it is that very process which is likely to ensure that someone who has suffered major trauma injuries can make the best possible recovery and maximise their chance of returning to the life they knew before the accident.
The question is how?
The benefits of making a compensation claim
This can be answered by looking at the benefits of bringing a claim for compensation;
1. Access to rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is vitally important for someone who has suffered serious injuries. If you are able to make a claim, your solicitor can discuss with you what specialist rehabilitation treatment and therapies you need and try to secure the funds to pay for these. To achieve the best outcomes these need to be delivered at an early stage. However, it is not always easy to access the rehabilitation you need once you have been discharged from hospital and in the longer term. A compensation claim means the focus will be receiving the best rehabilitation in the immediate, medium and longer term.
2. Receiving interim payments
Your solicitor can request regular interim payments to help you financially and to pay for what you need because of your injuries. They can be used to:
- support your day-to-day living expenses
- cover loss of earnings
- pay for private medical treatment as well as additional specialist treatments and therapies
- purchase equipment and adaptations to your property to help support you and your family
3. Help with medical treatment
If you require further medical investigations and ongoing treatment, this can be funded through your claim. This could allow you to privately access a greater choice of consultants, hospitals and treatment options as well as cut down on the time you have to wait for this. You will still be able to access treatment through the NHS. However making a claim for compensation allows you the option of accessing private treatment in the immediate, medium and longer term which may be better and preferable for you.
4. Care and Case Management
It may be that because of the injuries you have suffered you need specialist care from a number of experts and therapists. By making a compensation claim this allows your solicitor to discuss with you appointing a case manager to help you and your family coordinate the care that you need, find experts to advise and treat you and recommended treatment and rehabilitation. A case manager will relieve the pressure on family members which means they can spend quality time with you.
5. Assistance with home adaptations
If you have suffered serious injuries, you may find you cannot easily live in your home like you did before so you need either alternative accommodation or adaptations to your home to make make daily life easier for you. Your solicitor can discuss with you the adaptations you may need or whether you need more suitable accommodation. The issue of accommodation is very important. Someone who has suffered serious injuries needs to feel comfortable in their own home. By making a compensation claim you can receive advice from specialist accommodation experts on what would be a suitable home to meet your needs. There may be additional household expenses associated with the accommodation you need which can be claimed for in the compensation claim.
6. Extra financial support
The reality of suffering a serious injury is that you are out of pocket having to deal with expenses that you may not otherwise have had to deal with. These may include extra travel costs to hospital appointments, childcare bills, loss of earnings, higher living costs, family taking time off paid work to care for you, medication and treatment. Making a claim can ease some of those financial pressures so that you can focus on your recovery and to start to look to the future.
7. Other advice
If you have suffered serious injuries you may need to claim state benefits, you may lose your job or you may go into debt. By making a claim for compensation your solicitor will be able to help you receive the advice you need to make the right decisions on what you are entitled to and how the law can protect you and your family.
8. Supporting the NHS
You may not realise but there is a system which enables the NHS to recover the costs of providing you with care and treatment following serious injuries from the insurance company who insurers the person or company responsible for your accident. It is now more than ever so important for the NHS to receive all the resources that it needs to continue to provide the excellent service that it does for us all.
How can Major Trauma Group help?
If you have suffered injury as a result of an accident which was not your fault, Major Trauma Group can help you. Our member law firms have the experience and expertise necessary for claiming compensation for serious injuries. Get in touch via:
- visiting our website www.majortraumagroup.co.uk
- email at hello@majortraumagroup.co.uk
- phone on 0330 311 2578
Major Trauma Group is a not-for-profit community interest company, set up in November 2020. Major Trauma Group’s purpose is to enhance the rehabilitation journey and provide specialist legal assistance to those suffering major trauma. We do this by providing access to experienced legal advice in this specialised area. Crucially, our law firms have rehabilitation at the core of their services, emphasising recovery and ensuring financial security.
