Article

Brain injury - the figures

In our last issue of PI Law we gave an outline of the problems that our clients have. This article concentrates on the figures. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 people in Britain attend hospital every year as a result of having a head injury. Over the last 20 or so years this number has increased
dramatically.

Why?

Some say that there have been such enormous medical advances and improved emergency services that there are more surviving. Some say that there are more cars on the road, many more motorways and vehicles travelling at greater speeds than ever and the result of this is that more people are
having accidents and therefore more head injuries. Often those who sustain head injuries are young. This means that our problem is growing. Sadly there hasn’t been the increase that is needed in post hospital healthcare and this means that the majority of people with head injuries do not receive the care that they need after the initial acute stage.

The statistics:

= One family in every 300 will be affected by the long-term effects of Acquired Brain Injury (“ABI”).
= In the autumn of 2004, in the UK alone, there were 120,000 people suffering with the long-term effects of a severe head injury.
= Males are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a head injury than females.
= Those between 15 and 29 have a five-fold increase in risk.
= Almost 50% of injuries are caused by road traffic accidents.
= Fortunately 90% of those who sustain a severe head injury make a good physical recovery.

Sadly a physical recovery is not what we are necessarily concerned with in the work that we do at Thomson Snell & Passmore. Most of the disabilities that we try to evaluate and claim compensation for are hidden By hidden we mean that the sufferer sometimes doesn’t understand or have the insight
to see that they have a problem. The relatives, loved ones and friends of the sufferer describe personality changes, subtle changes in behaviour, slowness of response, poor memory, irritability, bad temper, tiredness, depression, anxiety, rapid mood changes, frustrations. Part of our job is to get to know our clients so we can learn about these hidden problems and try to help.

For further enquiries please contact Jonathan Clement (view full profile) on 01892 701264 or email jclement@ts-p.co.uk.

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