What Is A “Life Changing Injury” in Legal Terms?
A serious or catastrophic injury can be defined as a severe injury to the spine, spinal cord or brain; the kind you never expect this kind of injury to happen to you or a loved one. If you have suffered such an injury and it was not your fault, or your family member has and it was not their fault, you may be entitled to financial damages.*
Steps Invovled in Bringing a Claim For A Life Changing Injury
When you contact HOMS Assist about a life changing injury claim, our team of experienced solicitors will do the following:
- Meet with you and your family and have a detailed consultation about the cause of your accident and the symptoms you have suffered.
- Obtain a medical legal report from your GP or treating consultant.
- Assist you in making a claim to the Injuries Board within two years of the date of the accident.
- Issue court proceedings to pursue your claim if your claim does not finalise at that stage.
- Include the costs of past, ongoing and future treatments and any loss of earnings and / or loss of opportunity in the claim amount.
- Robustly seek interim payments to support the injured person and their family.
Common Types of Life Changing Injuries
Head and Brain Injury
Common injuries include concussion and accident-related brain injuries which can be subtle, mild or severe. Such injuries, which are not caused by genetic or congenital disorders, are referred to as ‘acquired brain injuries’ by the medical community. Brain injuries of all types can devastate people’s lives. It is crucial to get advice from a solicitor with expertise in the relevant area as soon as possible.
Spine / Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spine / spinal cord can be detrimental, complex and life-changing. While modern medicine is advancing, it has only come so far, and recovery from such injuries can be very slow. We can assist you in making a claim if the injury has resulted from an accident that was not your fault.
Fatal Accident Claims
If the cause of the death of a loved one is somebody else’s fault you may be able to make a financial damages claim to relieve the financial burden and mental distress experienced as a result.
Lower Body Injuries
A loss of a limb (or multiple limbs) can have a detrimental effect on your ability to continue with everyday life and activities. If you have lost a limb and it was not your fault, we may be able to assist you in making a claim for financial damages.
Loss of limb claims
Psychological Injuries and Trauma
Unseen injuries such as post-traumatic stress and depression can often accompany chronic pain when you suffer a serious injury. If this is the case and the injuries suffered are a result of an accident that was not your fault, we can assist you in making a claim for compensation.
General and Special Damages
Claims can be made for general damages which relate to the pain and suffering caused by a serious injury. In addition, claims will also take into consideration additional special damages including medical expenses, nursing aids and loss of earnings.
What is a PRO (Periodic Payment Order)?
A Periodic Payment Order (PPO) is an order made by the court in a catastrophic injury action which makes provision for the periodic payment of compensation to a victim for certain agreed items of future special damages to cover lifetime needs. Usually, the items covered are future care and therapies and medical / therapeutic aids and appliances in catastrophic injury cases. A crucial feature of the PPO is the continuity of payment. PPOs will be granted in tandem with a lump sum payment, incorporating general damages and some future items of special damages.
At HOMS Assist we aim to:
- Develop a good relationship with clients by working closely with victims and their families.
- Empathise and focus on the specific needs of the individual.
- Provide guidance and information on the financial supports available to victims of catastrophic injuries and their families.
- Reduce stress and allow victims to concentrate on recovering their lives.
- Facilitate building a rehabilitation programme that works with the victims and their families.
