Brain Injuries INJURY & NEGLIGENCE SPECIALISTS

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1 Brain Injuries INJURY & NEGLIGENCE SPECIALISTS

2 Injury & Negligence I had total confidence in their ability to deal with my case. Adam Fitzgibbon Liverpool

3 WELCOME TO PANNONE PART OF SLATER & GORDON On 5th April 2006, when I was just 15 years old, I was on my way to school when I was hit by a car and suffered a serious head injury. Pannone part of Slater & Gordon have been there for me and my family since, and I can t speak highly enough of the services they offer. There were times when I thought we would get nowhere, but the team helped me to get through that difficult time and made me feel valued. Everyone at Pannone part of Slater & Gordon handled my case brilliantly and I had total confidence in their ability to deal with my case. From day one, and for the rest of my life, I will recommend them to anyone. Cases like this can take some time, but Pannone part of Slater & Gordon will get the best outcome for you. Adam Fitzgibbon Liverpool 03

4 Injury & Negligence Carol Jackson, Principal Lawyer & Brain Injury Specialist Carol Jackson, Principal Lawyer & Brain Injury Specialist, explains the possible causes and types of brain injury. CAUSES OF BRAIN INJURY Brain injury may result from a number of causes but some of the more common ones include: lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia) bruising, swelling or nerve damage caused by the brain rocking back and to or rotating in the skull as the result of an impact brain haemorrhages or bleeding in the brain development of haematomas (collections of blood in the brain). penetrating wounds to the skull damaging the brain tissue crushing of the skull due to the head being trapped between two hard surfaces medical conditions, such as brain tumours or infection

5 My solicitors were empathic but at the same time professional. Client interviewed from Chambers (Independent Legal Guide) TYPES OF BRAIN INJURY Brain injury can arise from trauma to the head, whether as a result of an accident or as a result of a medical condition, medical treatment or surgery. A person may suffer different types of brain injury: A closed head injury, where there is no open wound visible Open or penetrating wounds to the head Crushing injuries to the head 05

6 Injury & Negligence MAKING A CLAIM Vicky Whitney, Solicitor & Brain Injury Specialist Vicky Whitney, Solicitor & Brain Injury Specialist, explains the process with making a brain injury claim. We know from years of experience how an injury can change your life and affect your family. We are here to support you. Our specialist solicitors will fight to prove your case and to get you the best possible result. Talk to us Call us for a free, no obligation consultation with one of our team which includes a qualified nurse and a midwife. We can discuss what has happened to you or your loved one and how we can help. Funding a case We understand that the cost of legal advice can be a worry, but if you do have a claim there are a number of options available to fund your case including no win, no fee. For more information on funding options, please ask for our funding booklet.

7 At the most difficult time of your life, you need top quality solicitors who are accessible, approachable and who will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Quote from Vicky Whitney Investigation For your case to succeed, we have to prove that your injury or condition was the fault of another person. We will work with you to gather the evidence to support your claim. This will include taking witness statements, obtaining relevant documents including medical records and instructing independent experts to report. Support during your case We are specialist solicitors who are classed as leaders in our field of law and we are here to provide you with support and guidance throughout your case. In some cases, where we have proved the defendant was at fault, we can obtain financial assistance for you in the form of an interim payment of compensation. Interim payments can help with the cost of private medical treatment such as surgery or counselling and in some cases the money can pay for rehabilitation, adapted accommodation, equipment and professional care. 07

8 Injury & Negligence Medical cases We have expertise in advising families on other health issues, such as obtaining access to medical treatment for your illness or condition; the withdrawal of life support; care in the community and claims under the Human Rights Act. We have taken cases to the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice. We strive to help our clients achieve justice and we are not afraid to push legal boundaries. Time limits You must make your claim within 3 years of the date of the accident or your date of knowledge that you have suffered a significant injury due to the accident. If you leave it longer than this, you may lose the right to make a claim. Different time limits may apply if the incident happened abroad. REHABILITATION If you or a member of your family has suffered a brain injury it is extremely important to be able to access good quality rehabilitation. Research shows that the eventual outcomes are much better for those who have rehabilitation. As lawyers experienced in working on behalf of victims of brain injury, we see it as a very important part of our role to make sure that our clients get top quality support to maximise the chances of recovery and future independence. We work closely with case managers, medical experts and approved rehabilitation providers to ensure that a tailored programme is put in place as soon as possible. We will ensure an immediate Needs Assessment is undertaken early on in the case so that rehabilitation starts early.

9 AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION? Brain injury can arise through accidents, a medical condition or medical treatment where no-one has been at fault. However, it may arise due to negligence, including medical negligence, or an event for which compensation is payable such as: Road traffic accidents, whether completely or partly the fault of another Accidents at work where there may have been inadequate health and safety procedures, inadequate supervision, training or equipment, poorly maintained equipment or unsafe systems of work. A criminal assault Failure to diagnose and promptly treat infection and conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis Delays in diagnosing and treating brain tumours and cancer Surgical error Improper or inadequate anaesthetic techniques during surgery or in the administration of epidurals in labour leading to hypoxic events Failures to adequately and promptly respond to respiratory or cardiac collapse Brain injury suffered at birth (see separate Guide on Birth Injuries) They were always professional, friendly personable and never made me feel like just another client. Rebecca Glover, Wigan (Pictured front cover) 09

10 Injury & Negligence Our solicitors have given our son a quality of life we never thought possible. He now has the security for a brighter and happier future. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Mr. Booth

11 CONTACT US Highest quality advice (ranked in top tier by leading independent legal guides Chambers and Legal 500) Free no obligation consultation Experienced specialist solicitors and principal lawyers who are Leaders in their field Range of funding options including no win, no fee National UK coverage and home visits For more information, or to discuss your claim, please contact us on: [email protected] Pannone part of Slater & Gordon have offices nationwide. To find your local office visit For further information, please go to:

12 For more information, please contact Richard Scorer on or Slater & Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.