Each year, FND Awareness Day shines a light on a condition that is still widely misunderstood. Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is real, often life-changing, and can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person’s life. We have seen first-hand how important it is for clients with complex neurological injuries to be listened to, believed and properly supported.
Raising awareness of a misunderstood condition
FND Awareness Day highlights the experiences of people living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and the urgent need for greater awareness, understanding and support.
FND is a condition that affects how the brain and body send and receive signals. It can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including weakness, tremors, seizures, walking difficulties, fatigue, pain, speech problems and cognitive issues. It is a genuine and often disabling condition, and it can affect people of any age. Importantly, it is not “imagined”, nor is it simply a diagnosis made when doctors do not know what is wrong. It is a recognised neurological condition, diagnosed using positive clinical signs and careful assessment.
For many people, the biggest challenge is not only living with the symptoms themselves, but also dealing with misunderstanding, delay in diagnosis and a lack of access to specialist support. That is why awareness matters. Better understanding of FND can help people get the right care earlier and ensure that the seriousness of the condition is not dismissed or underestimated. FND Awareness Day on 25 March exists to help do exactly that.
We act for clients whose lives have been changed by complex neurological injuries, including cases involving FND. Two recent client stories show just how devastating and medically complex these cases can be.
Jeremy Barker’s story
Jeremy Barker was driving on the motorway when a van suddenly moved into his lane, sending his vehicle spinning across the carriageway and into the central reservation. The collision left him with injuries that would prove life-changing, including a traumatic brain injury and serious damage to his vestibular system.
What followed was not a straightforward recovery. Jeremy developed a complex combination of symptoms, including dizziness, tinnitus, poor balance, fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, hearing loss, nausea, memory and concentration problems, as well as pain and neurological symptoms affecting other parts of his body. The emotional impact was equally severe, with low mood, disturbed sleep and depression becoming part of daily life.
His case was heavily contested. Although responsibility for the collision was admitted, there was a dispute over whether Jeremy’s ongoing symptoms could be linked to the crash. Through detailed analysis of his medical records, extensive lay evidence and input from leading experts across a number of specialisms, the evidence supported diagnoses including post-traumatic Ménière’s disease, Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness, psychiatric injury, a probable mild traumatic brain injury and Functional Neurological Disorder with motor impairment.
Jeremy’s claim ultimately settled at mediation, shortly before an eight-day High Court trial. The settlement reflected not only the seriousness of his disability, but also the exceptional medical complexity of his case.
Jo Newsham’s story
Jo Newsham was stationary at traffic lights when her car was struck from behind by a van. The collision was described as relatively low velocity, with minimal damage to the vehicles, but the consequences for Jo were catastrophic.
Unknown to her at the time, Jo had pre-existing cervical stenosis. The collision caused acute neurological damage to her spinal cord in the context of that condition, leaving her with a severe and disabling injury from which she will not recover. As a result, she is no longer able to work, requires ground floor accommodation and needs significant care and support.
Jo also developed complex psychological and emotional symptoms, including severe PTSD, Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder and Functional Neurological Disorder.
Reflecting on the impact of the collision, Jo said:
“The injuries I sustained in the car crash were life-changing and left me disabled. At the time, neither my family nor I truly understood the extent of what had happened to me or how drastically my life was about to change. The Jo before the accident has been left behind – the person and the mum I was then has completely changed.”
Jo had initially pursued a claim elsewhere, but felt that the complexity and value of her case were not being properly understood. After transferring to Hugh James, her case was rebuilt through close analysis of the medical evidence, factual documentation and carefully selected expert input. It settled at a Joint Settlement Meeting in March 2025 for a substantial amount.
Speaking about her FND diagnosis, Jo said:
“There was very little online about FND at the beginning. When I was diagnosed, I rang Mark Robinson from the hospital car park and said ‘You were right’ – he knew two years earlier, before anyone else diagnosed me. When they told me it was a serious case, it was only then that I realised it was a brain injury and that scared me.”
Why awareness matters
Jeremy and Jo’s experiences are different, but they share important themes. Both cases show that FND can sit alongside other serious injuries. Both show how easily complex symptoms can be misunderstood or undervalued. And both show why early recognition, careful investigation and the right expert evidence are so important.
For people living with FND, awareness is not just about visibility. It is about being believed. It is about improving access to treatment and support. And it is about recognising the real impact this condition can have on a person’s independence, work, family life and future.
On FND Awareness Day, we stand with everyone affected by Functional Neurological Disorder and recognise the importance of greater understanding of this often misunderstood condition.
Our serious injury team has extensive experience in handling complex neurological claims, including those involving FND, brain injury, spinal cord injury and medically disputed presentations. Where symptoms are complicated, evolving or challenged, it is vital that the legal case is built with the same care and attention as the medical evidence itself.
