Catastrophic Injury: Claim Compensation

Catastrophic injury compensation

029 2267 5870

Catastrophic injury claims

Hugh James has extensive experience in handling compensation claims for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Our team of specialist catastrophic injury solicitors provide expert advice and services to ensure that you receive the highest possible level of compensation. We will ensure that you get the best care, treatment and rehabilitation following a catastrophic injury.

We are members of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and members of the Law Society. We are approved as brain injury solicitors by Headway UK, the Child Brain Injury Trust and the Brain Injury group. Our solicitors have been consistently ranked in the top tiers by the independent legal guides, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as leaders in the field of personal injury and specifically spinal cord and brain injury litigation.

Our specialist team includes welfare benefits advisors and a qualified social worker to ensure that your case has the best possible chance of success. We offer free advice and guidance, without obligation and no win, no fee agreements.

Our specialist solicitors can advise you on the following:

the Hugh James Emergency Fund and how it can assist you and your family;
obtaining private rehabilitation;
your damages;
interim payments;
welfare benefits and emergency funding;
employment concerns;
charities that can assist you;
wills, trusts and power of attorney;
dealing with your mortgage, credit card and loan providers following a spinal cord injury;
investigating any potential insurance cover that may benefit you;
social services and local authority funding for care and equipment; and
human and disability rights.

The Hugh James Emergency Fund

We are also able to offer immediate financial assistance through the Hugh James Emergency Fund which might help you to fund travel expenses or accommodation costs for your family whilst you are in the hospital.

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Key contact

Andrew Harding

Partner, Head of the Neurolaw Team

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Andrew is a partner and head of the neurolaw team at Hugh James. He leads a multidisciplinary team representing only claimants and their families following traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, providing help and support with a heavy emphasis on rehabilitation. The team includes a unique specialist Court of Protection unit, providing professional deputy input to those who lack the necessary capacity to manage and administer their own finances.

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Case studies

Our client transferred his brain injury compensation claim to the Hugh James Brain Injury Team after being dissatisfied with the service he was receiving at another firm of solicitors.

Accreditations

APIL Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel

The Law Society Clinical Negligence

Child Brain Injury

Headway Cardiff & South East Wales

The Silverlining

UKABIF

The Children's Trust

‘Innovative and hardworking', Hugh James is a ‘market leader' which is establishing a strong national presence. It is one of eight firms recognised nationally by SCOPE, and is also instructed by the Community Health Councils in Wales. Stephen Webber and Mari Rosser are ‘real stars', and Andrew Davies and Hannah Williams (Webber) are also recommended. The team draws on support from the firm’s Court of Protection, social worker and speech therapist departments.

The Legal 500

We simply can’t thank you enough from our first meeting to our success at trial, both you and your team were always available to answer all our questions and provide us with the highest quality advice.

Client

We have appointed Hugh James on a range of site acquisitions. They have provided a professional service with one point of contact, they are responsive, deliver on timescale commitments, good communicators and most importantly, they've helped us get deals over the line.

Chambers and Partners UK

Andrew Harding is considered “very efficient and professionally competent” by his clients.

Chambers and Partners UK

Catastrophic/neurological injury matters are led by ‘absolute expert’ Andrew Harding, who is also an ‘excellent’ Deputy

The Legal 500

Can I once again say how appreciative I am of all the hard work you and all your team at Hugh James put in on my behalf. I have no doubt that without your perseverance and attention to detail we would not have achieved anything near the outcome.

Client

No words can express how much we have appreciated all your help and hard work over the last few years. We are truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Client

We couldn’t have had a better solicitor. So knowledgeable and efficient, yet the most kind, caring and understanding friend all rolled into one, at a time when few people could really understand what my injury had done to me.

Client

The ‘outstanding’ Cari Sowden-Taylor has a ‘lovely manner with clients'.

The Legal 500

Ciaran McCabe has strong expertise in assisting both children and adults with severe injury claims. He often handles cases arising from RTAs and workplace accidents, especially concerning brain and spinal cord injuries. Sources indicate that “he goes the extra mile to make sure clients are satisfied with the outcome of any settlement, and is very conscientious in terms of the overall result.

Chambers and Partners UK

I was delighted with the service which you provided me with, I would not hesitate to recommend you to others. You explained the most complex issues in a straightforward manner and negotiated an outstanding settlement for us.

Client

The 'excellent and responsive' Kate Coles is also recommended.

The Legal 500

The firm has massive experience dealing with complex group litigation, catastrophic injury cases and large clinical negligence disputes and is effectively the equivalent of a top London firm in the Welsh capital.

The Legal 500

Wales' leading firm when it comes to personal injury work, including catastrophic injury, and clinical negligence work.

The Legal 500

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Our client's endorsements of the work we have done for them

Your questions answered

How do I start a serious injury compensation claim?

During your free, no obligation consultation our specialist serious injury solicitors will discuss whether you are entitled to make a claim. If negligence is established, we will discuss the various options with you, including the no win, no fee element of your personal injury claim. You will be provided with a step-by-step breakdown of how we will proceed with your accident compensation claim without obligation to proceed.

What are the steps in the claims process?

The process can be a lengthy one, requiring detailed evidence to fully define the impact to you and your family. Your injury lawyer will do all of the hard work for you, but you may be required to meet with specific experts to help document what has happened to you. You may also be required to attend court if a settlement can't be reached through out of court negotiations.

Choosing the right lawyer is key to ensuring the process is properly managed. You should make a shortlist of personal injury solicitors and speak with each of them about their experience and ability to help you. It’s important to remember that if you live in England or Wales, any personal injury law firm within that jurisdiction can help you. Lawyers based in central locations such as London or Cardiff can generally have greater expertise than your local high street firm, which could result in higher injury compensation awards. An attorney who is not local to you won't necessarily need to meet with you face to face, but if they do, they will usually travel to you. Appointments to see experts to assist with your case can also be made locally, meaning you won't be required to travel.

The Hugh James Personal Injury Team has been top ranked by independent legal guides for their expertise in this area of law. We offer free consultations, allowing you to ask us any questions you may have, without obligation.

What is a No Win No Fee agreement?

A Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) is more commonly known as a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. This ensures that you as our client will not have any financial risk when making a claim against another person or company. Follow the link to find out more information on a no win no fee agreement.

How long will my claim take?

There are a number of factors that affect a personal injury claim. These make it difficult to give an exact timescale and are affected by:

The availability to collect evidence
Where the entity responsible admits liability
The nature of your injury and illness

It’s important to consider all these factors as our specialist solicitors need evaluate the true impact of your injury or illness when calculating your compensation.

How much compensation will I receive?

We will look at the compensation for your injuries as well as the financial losses you have as a result of the accident, injury or illness. Compensation is made up of general and special damages.

General Damages
General damages compensate you for the injury itself: the pain and suffering you have already experienced and will continue to go through and what you are no longer able to do as a result of the accident.

In order to accurately inform you of the level of damages that you may be awarded, we will arrange for specialist reports to be obtained from various leading medical and legal authorities. They will examine you and have access to your medical records and be able to provide an accurate diagnosis and prognosis within their report. Once this evidence is in place we will be able to notify you how much we think that your claim is going to be worth.

Special Damages
Special damages are to compensate you for any past or future losses that you have incurred or will incur as a direct result of the accident which caused your injuries.

Past losses include:

private medical treatment and rehabilitation;
prescription charges/medication;
the purchase of aids and appliances;
loss of earnings;
travel expenses;
care costs;
personal belongings and clothing damaged in the accident; and
housing adaptations.

Future losses can include:

future loss of earnings;
loss of pension;
accommodation costs;
future private medical treatment and rehabilitation;
care costs; and
aids and appliances.

This list is not exhaustive and we will carefully consider your situation and will try to anticipate your future needs.

We suggest that you start to keep a list of things that you have had to pay for since, and as a direct result of the accident. We will need to prove the financial losses and documentary evidence such as wage slips, receipts and invoices will be very important in proving your special damages claim. In addition, it may also be sensible to keep a log or brief diary of problems that you encounter as this will help us to prepare comprehensive witness statements.

How long do I have to make my claim?

compensation. It is always advisable to contact a solicitor quickly to ensure that your case is dealt with within specified time limits.

Commonly, the time limit is three years from the date the accident occurred, or the date you were diagnosed. The rules can be extremely complex and it will be difficult to know which time limits apply to you until further investigations are made. In some cases these limits can be extended depending on the circumstances, so you shouldn't be deterred from contacting a solicitor.

Your free personal injury consultation with Hugh James will allow us to further investigate whether your case is within the required time limits or subject to any exceptions.

Is my case likely to go to court?

Only a small percentage of personal injury claims brought will actually proceed to trial, though we do prepare every case in depth to make sure we are ready should it go to court.

The personal injury procedural system is geared towards encouraging parties to be open with each other so that any claims for compensation can be settled without the need for going to court, which can save both time and cost.

A lot of people are naturally nervous and uncomfortable about going to court. We understand this and will advise you every step of the way, should your case reach a trial.

Will I have to attend a medical appointment?

Yes, you will almost certainly have to undergo at least one medical examination as part of your personal injury claim.

Can I make a claim if a loved one has died?

The death of a loved one is an extremely difficult and challenging time. Making a personal injury claim will be the last thing on your mind, but if you have suffered financial loss and ongoing financial problems as a result of the death, then a solicitor may be able to help.

You should consider:

The financial impact.
The psychological implications to you and your family as a result of the death.
And whether seeking professional support or counselling will be of any benefit.

Time limits are in place for this area of law. These time limits can be complex and varied, however, the general limit is three years from the date the injury happened or the illness was diagnosed.

If you would like further information about making a fatal accident personal injury claim, contact our team of expert solicitors for a free, no obligation, consultation.

Will I get sacked if I make a claim against my employer?

If you have been injured at work and then exercise your right to bring a claim for compensation against your employer, you should then not be adversely treated by your employer. The reality is that although you may be bringing a claim against your employer in name, your claim will actually be handled by your employer’s insurers or solicitors.