Dealing With Head Injury and Compensation Claims

Head injuries can be very dangerous although the severity of the damage can vary dramatically, depending on the injury and its causes. At one end of the spectrum there is what can be termed as mild head injuries. Mild head injuries may include headaches, bruising, cuts and swellings; they may also bleed profusely even if the cut is fairly insignificant. Mild head injuries often heal relatively quickly and with little or no permanent damage. Although mild head injuries are fairly minor, over 1 million people are admitted to hospital each year to be treated.

Out of the number of people admitted to hospital, one in four will have a more serious injury. Severe head injures are often accompanied by many symptoms that can have a delayed manifestation often hours or even days after the initial accident. Such injuries cause nausea, vomiting and headaches. There may also be an affect on the vision which can become blurred or doubled. Speech can also become difficult and slurred. Severe head injuries that result in damage to the brain can cause confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness completely. In extreme cases, a clear fluid can run from the nose and ears.

The causes of head injuries are multitudinous. The most common cause of head injury is as the result of a road traffic accident. However, there is a risk of a head injury accident at work, when playing sports or even in extreme cases as the result of a physical attack. It is common for people experiencing an injury of this type to make a head injury claim for compensation. The validity of a compensation claim will depend largely on the circumstances surrounding the accident and the severity of the accident.

In 2007 a man suffered from a head injury at work. Whilst working with powered machine in a quarry, a large piece of sandstone fell six metres onto his head. At the time the man in question was not wearing a protective helmet and the lack of this basic safety equipment led to severe brain damage resulting from the accident. It is clear that this injury could have been avoided if the company involved had followed health and safety procedure and ensured that all employees wear protective headgear. For their part in the incident, the company was fined £5,000 and required to pay damages of £3,520. Some of this final amount would have been paid directly to the employee involved in the accident as compensation for his injuries. In addition a separate claim for compensation could have been made by the employee.

If you are involved in an accident that causes you a head injury then you may consider making a head injury claim. If you decide to make such a claim, you will need to approach a specialist company that will have experience in the area. A company that specialises in head injury claims will be able to provide you with a solicitor who has dealt with such claims in the past and who has years of experience. The amount that you can claim in compensation varies according to the severity of the head injury. Often you will be able to claim for such things as medical expenses and the cost of medication, any changes that you need to make to your home or vehicle to accommodate your state of incapacity, any loss of earning and any continual care you may need. A competent solicitor experienced in dealing with head injury claims is vital, as they will have an awareness of the intricacies of such a claim.