One million people each year go to hospital as a result of a head injury. The injury might be catastrophic or minor. The effects of the injury may be life-changing or they could be subtle and go largely unnoticed.

Spinal cord injuries are much less common but are catastrophic when they do occur. They can cause paralysis of varying degrees (paraplegia or tetraplegia)

We are able to advise you whether you have a legal basis for a claim and guide you through the legal process. Whether your claim is large or small, QualitySolicitors can provide you and your family with clear advice in a sympathetic manner with a focus on rehabilitation. Two of our lawyers are members of the Court of Protection specialist panel of professional Deputies.

What will it cost me to take legal advice?

We offer a free consultation to assess your legal needs.

If it appears that someone was partly or entirely to blame for the accident causing the head injury, our specialist lawyers may be able to represent you on a ‘no win no fee’ basis so that you do not have the additional worry of legal fees.

Even if you have a legal expenses insurance policy, you do not have to use a panel lawyer. Normally you will be allowed to nominate the lawyer of your choice.

How can a lawyer help with rehabilitation?

Our focus is to improve your quality of life. We will assist with rehabilitation by seeking funding through the claim to appoint specialists to help you return to your everyday life, to your work or education.

We can help you find funding for living arrangements that are appropriate to you and the severity of your injury. We can help get the right aids and equipment to make life easier and the best transport to help you stay independent.

Like the insurers who fund the claim, we are obliged under the Rehabilitation Code to focus on the rehabilitation of our clients. We take this obligation seriously.

We will seek early interim payments so that rehabilitation recommendations can be carried out. These should not conflict with NHS care but will complement it.

What if the injured person can’t give instructions?

If the injured person is a child or the injury to the brain is so severe that the injured person does not have mental ‘capacity’ [link] , then we will work with the family (and if necessary the Court of Protection) to handle the claim. We have expert lawyers who carry out work for the Court of Protection [link] who can assist in the claim where needed.

Are my long term care needs taken into account?

Yes. Our job is to calculate not just your past and current financial needs but also to look into the future to see what amount of money is needed for the cost of carers, therapists, medical expenses, living expenses and equipment expenses and if necessary the cost of a Court of Protection Deputy [link]. These could all form part of the final settlement if you have ongoing needs caused by the accident.

Can I bring a claim?

Compensation may be the last thing on your mind - but it is a practical issue that you should consider. It could provide financial protection and security, not just for immediate losses and expenses, but also for the future.A properly prepared claim will provide you with the funding to maximise your recovery potential and also the money to give you financial security.

Your specialist lawyer will be able to advise you on the complex legal issues, in language you can understand.

What can I claim for?

There are six main categories of compensation:

• The pain and suffering you have gone through
• Loss of earnings – past and future
• Care costs – this may be provided by professionals or your friends and family
• Medical costs – past and future
• Accommodation costs – if you need specific living arrangements
• Aids and equipment - such as modified transport, equipment in the home and at work.

How long will it all take?

In most claims the factors which influence the length of the case are:

• How long it takes to find and cost an appropriate care regime
• Knowing whether the care regime will change as time progresses – this will be assessed by medical and rehabilitation experts

The length of time is depends on the severity of your injury, your age and the success of the rehabilitation process. Your claim may well take between 2 and 5 years.