Making a claim for injuries following complete or partial paralysis following an accident
If you have suffered partial or complete paralysis (para- or quadriplegia) a result of a road traffic accident, an injury at work or in a public place or medical negligence, then it is very likely that you will have a claim for compensation.
The damages payable to victims of such injuries is large, often running to millions of pounds and will vary according to a number of factors including the age, earning capacity and care needs of the injured person.
The compensation will include the past and future cost of professional care, rehabilitation, modifications or adaptations to accommodation, specialist equipment, lost earnings as well as any future medical care. It is often possible to secure one or more substantial interim payments to help the injured person cover such expenses before the claim is settled.
If liability is admitted at an early stage, then the Defendant’s insurers will usually pay for independent rehabilitation providers and case managers to provide the Claimant (injured person bringing the claim) with private medical treatment, therapy, home alterations, transport costs, equipment, occupational therapy and exercise and medical equipment as well as an income before the claim is settled.
The damages will include an element to cover the pain and suffering that the person experiences. This item is valued between £304,630 and £379,100 for Quadriplegia and £205,580 and £266,740 for Paraplegia in the Judicial Studies Guidelines (15th edition) which Judges use to value claim. Because claims for past and future earnings and care are to cover the injured person’s lifetime, the award for the injuries alone can be as little as 10% of the overall award.
In some cases, the damages are used to provide the Claimant with a new house that is specially adapted for their needs as well as state-of-the-art electronic equipment to help them communicate and work as well as full-time care from experienced professionals for the rest of their lives.
With such large awards of damages, clients also need advice about the investment of their compensation. In some cases, periodical payments are made to Claimants on an annual basis, funded by the Defendant’s insurers. If not, solicitors will advise their clients to seek financial advice from reputable independent IFAs to ensure that their compensation is invested wisely.
The legal time limits for making such claims
If you are over the age of 18, then there is a 3-year time limit from the date of the accident to bring the claim. If you are under the age of 18 then there is a 3-year time limit running from the date of your 18th Birthday. If the injury occurs as a result of medical negligence which comes to light at a later date, then the limit may be extended, although we would advise victims to contact solicitors delay when such injuries occur.
Instructing Solicitors
It is very important that those who suffer such serious injuries consult with experienced solicitors with a track record of dealing with these claims, preferably as soon as possible after the accident/injury. Whilst every solicitor offering personal injury services would want to act for such a client, only a limited number will have the experience needed to obtain the earliest possible financial assistance and rehabilitation and the proper level of compensation when the Claimant has reached their final state of recovery.
Taylor&Emmet is one such firm and we will be happy to discuss this or any type of personal injury claim free of charge with potential clients or their family members – please call 0114 218 4000 or email info@tayloremmet.co.uk
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