When someone suffers life changing major trauma injuries, and needs rehabilitation and on-going care, it is not unusual for a case manager to be instructed as part of the claims process.
Who are case managers?
Case managers are generally people who have trained as occupational therapists, nurses or social workers, physiotherapists or speech and language therapists. They will have gained through these roles lots of knowledge and experience of working with people who have suffered complex major trauma injuries and they work with the injured person, their family and other professionals who make up a multi-disciplinary team to help an individual rebuild their life following a catastrophic injury, such as amputation, brain injury, spinal injury or complex muscular-skeletal injury.
What does a case manager do?
A case managers role is varied. They often first meet a client in order to conduct an immediate needs assessment, a report which is prepared for the legal team which will look at all aspects of a client’s life including how they were before the accident and identify the impact their injuries have had on their life and will have in the future. The goal Is to put the injured person back as much as is possible to where they were prior to the accident. This may include looking at accommodation and whether any adaptations, aids or equipment are needed in the home, work, relationships and family life and leisure interests.
The case manager will help identify a client’s goals for their rehabilitation, what they hope to achieve and will support them to work toward these goals.
Case managers continue to assess their clients ongoing needs, plan to ensure those needs are met, arrange care, monitor care and rehabilitation to ensure it is meeting the individuals’ requirements and expectations and evaluate the progress an individual is making towards their goals. A case manager will assist if a change of job or role is needed following injury as well as assisting with applying for any state benefits the injured person may be entitled to.
A case managers duty of care is to their client, not the lawyer or insurance company who may have appointed them as part of the major trauma claim but they will regularly report on progress to the legal team and other professionals.
Why would I need a case manager?
Life can change dramatically after a major trauma injury. A case manager will be experienced in navigating the rehabilitation pathway, consulting with legal teams and co-ordinating appointments and rehabilitation with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other professionals that you might meet during your recovery. Instructing a case manager to provide support will allow you to focus on your recovery.
When, and for how long, will I need a case manager?
Early instruction of a case manager can be essential in the claims process, and it is not unusual for a case manager to be appointed before someone has even been discharged from hospital, if they have already chosen to instruct solicitors to bring a personal injury case. A case manager will support an individual for as long as is deemed necessary and this is decided on a case-by-case basis. They may support the individual for just a few years, helping them achieve their rehabilitation goals, or in the case of catastrophic injury, such as a brain injury, an individual may have a case manager for very many years.
How Major Trauma Group can help
If you have suffered injury in an incident and wish to speak to a specialist solicitor about a potential claim, contact Major Trauma Group via email (hello@majortraumagroup.co.uk), telephone (0330 311 2578) or via live chat on our website (available Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm).
The Major Trauma Group is a not-for-profit community interest company, made up of leading law firms from across the country who, together with clinicians, have pooled their knowledge and experience to assist major trauma victims and their families through the provision of legal advice and ancillary services. Initial chats with our member solicitors, are free and without obligation.
