Head injuries are one of the most common types of injuries in the UK today, and the consequences of one can be very serious. Figures from Headway, the UK’s largest brain injury association, show that in the UK today, a person is admitted to hospital with a head injury every three minutes, and that there are around 160,000 hospital admissions every year as a result of a head injury.

Head injuries can vary in severity, from simple cuts or lacerations to a fractured skull, and even serious brain injury; even the smallest of head injuries can result in unpleasant consequences, such as headaches, dizziness and impaired vision. The more serious head injuries can result in permanent disability, life-changing complications and even death.

Head injuries can occur anywhere, as a result of an accident at work, playing sports, or through a simple trip or slip at the local supermarket. However, the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum has said that road traffic accidents are the leading cause of all brain and head injuries in the UK today.

Can I make a claim for a head injury?

If you have suffered a head injury through no fault of your own, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Once you contact us, our team of experienced personal injury solicitors will review your situation and let you know if you have a case. If we decide that you could be entitled to compensation, we will ask that you provide us with as much information as possible. To help your case, you should try to provide us with medical records (including any details of medications your doctor has prescribed), any photos of the accident scene, and the names and addresses of any witnesses.

Once we have all the details, we will contact the other party to discuss the claim, and if they admit liability, we will agree a compensation settlement with them which will be paid to you. If the other party contests liability, the case will likely go to court where a judge will decide on who the liable party is and rule whether or not you’re entitled to compensation.

How much compensation can I claim for a head injury?

The level of compensation you may be awarded will depend on the extent of the head injury. In the most serious cases, where a person is left without the ability to follow basic commands, with little or no language function, and needing full-time care, compensation payouts range from between £214,000 and £307,000.

In moderate cases where someone is left with impaired sight, hearing or speech, which may affect their ability to work, compensation payouts range from between £30,000 to £167,000. These cases also include people who have suffered a personality change as a result of the head injury. In cases where brain injury was sustained but recovery is likely, compensation payouts vary between £10,000 and £33,000. In minor head injury cases, compensation payouts vary between £1,500 and £10,000.

Head injuries can also lead to serious complications, such as epilepsy, months or even years later. In epilepsy cases, compensation payouts range between £77,000 and £115,000 depending on the severity of the condition. Cases where a loss of consciousness is common will receive the larger payouts, while cases where loss of consciousness is brief commonly see compensation packages of between £40,000 and £100,000.

Victims of head injuries can also claim compensation for loss of wages during recovery, the impact of the injury on their ability to work, and psychological effects as a result of the injury.

If you have suffered a head injury, at work, on the road or while in a public space through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to claim compensation. To find out if you can claim compensation on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis, contact Fonseca Law today on enquiries@fonsecalaw.co.uk, call 0800 156 0770, or pop into our office in Ebbw Vale, South Wales between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.