The aftermath of a serious
accident can be a traumatic time for both the victim and their family, especially if the injuries include a serious
brain trauma. Whereas many injuries heal after time, the consequences of a serious
brain injury can last a lifetime. The effects on victims of serious
brain trauma are well documented. But what about the effect on their family?
Support is vital
The two most important things that the families of serious
brain injury victims need are support and information. In the first few days, the support of medical staff is crucial to help the family understand what has happened, how it may affect the victim and of course, the prognosis. The psychological effects of dealing with a loved one who has suffered severe
injury are now becoming more prominent in the way that serious
injury units approach their role as carers. Not only does the victim need a great deal of support and reassurance, but so too do their loved ones. Trauma counselling is now often offered as a matter of course to the families of victims, but in an overstretched National Health Service this availability may be a bit of a postcode lottery.
After support, what families need most is information. Without clear, concise and honest information, they cannot begin to understand what the implications of the situation are. It is also essential for them to be told as much information as possible so that in the event of an
injury compensation
claim they can pass accurate details on to their specialist solicitor. If your loved one has suffered a serious
brain injury, do not be afraid to keep asking questions. While instinct tells you to ‘leave it to the professionals’, in the long term it will be the family that provides ongoing support and care to the victim.
After the event
Once the victim of a serious
brain injury has left primary care, there is a very good possibility that secondary care outside a health centre will have to be arranged. Brain injuries take a long time to heal, and in many cases the trauma leaves permanent damage. That can range from physical incapacity through to a variety of emotional and psychological problems. Each
brain injury presents a different and unique set of problems, and as a family you will need to be prepared for the unexpected. While a victim may seem to have recovered physically, there could be ongoing psychological trauma such as PTSD that includes a lack of ability to concentrate for prolonged periods, hypervigilance or any one of a number of other challenges. Physically, a traumatic
brain injury can affect mobility, so adaptations to lifestyle and even the layout of your home may be necessary.
Unfortunately, all of this costs money if the victim is to have a decent quality of life. This is where the secondary level of support comes into play – through your specialist claims solicitor. Serious
injury solicitors are highly experienced in dealing with long term injuries. To them, a case isn’t just about getting compensation. It’s about helping the victim and their families to rebuild their lives. An experienced serious
injury compensation specialist builds a long term relationship with the victim and their families, often providing support that less experienced solicitors would be unable to deliver.
So if your loved one has had a serious
accident, do not feel that you have to cope alone. Speak to a specialist claims solicitor and they’ll help you not only get the compensation that your loved one deserves, but also be there to support you on what is bound to be a long and difficult journey.
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