The event aims to bring awareness to the devastating reality of brain injuries, illustrated by the stark statistic that every 90 seconds someone in the UK is admitted to the hospital with a brain injury.
Hats for Headway, where people don their hats to firmly put in the spotlight the issue of brain injury, whilst also making a donation to the Headway charity, raises much needed funds to help them continue to support those living with the longer-term effects of such injuries.
Greg Almond, partner and head of the Serious Injuries Team at Rothera Bray Solicitors, and also a Trustee for locally based Headway Nottingham, said:
‘The idea behind the campaign is to show support for those living with disabilities after brain injury and brain surgery by wearing wacky hats to raise awareness and much needed funds. As a team of solicitors dealing with many catastrophically injured clients, we welcome every opportunity to support such an important cause’.
There are many ways in which a person may sustain a brain injury; following a fall, a car accident or complications with medical treatment amongst others. Regardless of the cause, the impact of brain injuries are far reaching and incredibly difficult for both the injured person and their family and friends to come to terms with.
Impact of brain injury
Brain injury can happen suddenly and unexpectedly and can leave the injured person with complex health problems which can affect every aspect of their lives. This can range from physical issues with walking and talking, through to issues of depression and irritability, changes in personality and difficulties processing and retaining information.
This can cause great distress – these issues can have a grave impact on the ability to maintain the same degree of independence, to take part in hobbies or maintain a career. Very quickly, those sadly injured find themselves in a vulnerable position and potentially in need of great support.
Impact on families
Not only do brain injuries cause great difficulty for the injured person, but they can also cause great distress to their family and friends too.
Julie Walker, consultant and solicitor in Rothera Bray’ Serious Injury Team, said:
“After a brain injury, it’s not unusual to see a real shift in the family dynamic. The emotional, and behavioural aspects particularly often have an impact on existing and future relationships. Whilst some relationships may strengthen, inevitably others become strained over time or even completely break down. Some families talk to us about now having a relative whom they no longer recognise or it feeling like being married to a completely different person. The toll on the broader circle of family and friends cannot be underestimated, and charities such as Headway, provide invaluable information and support to families and carers too at a time when they might otherwise feel very much out of their depth and isolated’.
Rehabilitation and continuing care
A significant challenge following brain injury is the complex care needed by the injured person and the support needed by both them and their family. Rehabilitation following injury can be a long and unpredictable journey with some symptoms becoming permanent, and rehab then focused on putting in place strategies to minimise the impact of those deficits on the injured person’s day to day functioning. The care needed is unique to each person.
What may not be immediately obvious in the aftermath of a brain injury however is the cost involved in supporting and maintaining a survivor. The financial impact of brain injuries can be devastating, leaving many families worried as to how they will be able to pay for their bills now they are short of a salary, and also how to pay for the care and maintenance of their loved one.
Where a brain injury has been caused by the fault of someone else, for example a car accident or an accident at work, it is possible to make a claim for compensation. Such claims can involve a claim for a sum of money for the injury itself (known as ‘general damages’) but also for money needed for care and rehabilitation as a result of the injury and also for loss of earnings, pension loss and other expenses or losses incurred because of the injury (known as ‘special damages’).
Like the injury itself, each claim is unique to the circumstances and individual needs of the person. Rothera Bray has a learned and deep understanding of the impact of brain injury and the significance of obtaining financial security for survivors and their families, with the team demonstrating a breadth of experience in dealing with complex brain injuries.
However, there will always be people who sustain brain injuries where there is no valid compensation claim, and where they will be reliant upon the support of their families, and charitable organisations such as Headway, to navigate the difficult journey ahead which is why fundraising campaigns such as Action for Brain Injury and Hats for Headway are crucial.
For help or advice about a serious injury claim following a brain injury, you can call our team on: 03456 465 465 or email enquiries@rotherabray.co.uk
For help, support and resources, you can visit the Headway website at: https://www.headway.org.uk/supporting-you/in-your-area/ or Headway Nottingham: https://www.headwaynottingham.org.uk/referrals
Disclaimer: This blog is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal advice please contact us on 03456 465 465 or email enquiries@rotherabray.co.uk to get tailored advice specific to your circumstances from our qualified lawyers
