Concussion injuries refer to temporary brain injuries that are caused as a result of trauma to the head. While most symptoms can ease after a few hours, in some severe cases, a concussion can lead to a loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome and even brain damage. Concussion injuries can force you to take time off work, which can lead to a loss of earnings for you and your family.

Whilst most concussion injuries are caused by complete accidents, there are those that suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence. Finding out that your injuries were caused by negligence and may have otherwise been avoided can be traumatic and add to the emotional pain that you have already been put through.

If you have suffered from a concussion injury that was caused by an accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible to make a concussion injury compensation claim. Contact Beacon Law today to get in touch with one of our personal injury solicitors to start your claim.

Symptoms of concussion injuries

Concussion injuries usually occur as a result of blunt force to the head, and you will usually lose consciousness for a while. Sometimes there can be symptoms of confusion and dizziness. Symptoms of a concussion include losing consciousness, headache after the injury, confusion, memory loss, problems with dizziness and balance and issues with vision.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect that you have suffered a concussion to identify the severity of your injury.

Common causes of concussion injuries

Concussion injury claims can arise as the result of various types of accidents. Some of the most common accidents that cause these types of injuries include:

• Slips, trips and falls – Slips, trips and falls are a common cause of concussion injuries. These accidents can happen from a variety of reasons, from a wet surface not being properly cleaned up to a property owner failing to put proper safety procedures in place leading to a fall.
• Road traffic accidents – Road traffic accidents are another cause of concussion injuries. The force from a collision between vehicles in a lorry or car accident can cause you to hit your head on the steering wheel, which can result in a concussion or a brain injury.
• Physical assaults – Severe physical attacks, either by domestic violence or a stranger, can often cause concussion injuries. Significant blows to the head can cause a lot of trauma to the brain and can require medical treatment.
• Sporting injuries – Some sports, such as boxing and rugby, carry a higher risk of concussion injuries. Poor tackles and colliding of heads are common reasons that cause concussions within sports.
• Accidents at work – Though employers have a duty of care towards their employees, accidents at work still happen and can cause head injuries such as a concussion. Whether it is from a slip or fall from height, if your workplace lacks the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provisions, you may be able to make a claim against your employer.

If you have suffered a concussion injury from one of the reasons listed above, contact Beacon Law to get in touch with one of our personal injury solicitors to find out more about concussion injury claims.

Why make concussion injury claims for compensation?

Whilst a sum of money cannot undo the injury you have suffered and the difficulties that come with the symptoms you suffer, it can assist in managing daily life and can ease the additional financial pressures. The compensation you receive can be used in whatever way you see fit, including to buy new equipment which you may need at home or professional care.

You will also be compensated for any rehabilitation and medical treatments which you may need following being discharged from the hospital, including future treatment costs. This will include treatment for physiotherapy and or psychological therapy, amongst other types of treatments which will be suited to you.

Who can make concussion injury claims?

The person making a claim for a head injury/concussion injury is usually the person who has suffered the injury as a result of the accident. However, a person caring for the injured party, such as a member of their family, can provide instructions regarding the claim for concussion compensation on behalf of the injured person. This is especially the case when the level of injury is severe, and the Claimant lacks the mental capacity to make a claim. The person bringing the claim on behalf of the Claimant will be known as a Litigation Friend.

To be successful in making a claim for Personal Injury, the Claimant must be able to prove that someone else was responsible for their accident and that the accident directly caused their injuries.

What is the process of making concussion injury claims?

Upon discussing the circumstances of the case with Beacon Law, we will be able to advise you if your concussion injury claim is likely to be successful; however, the amount of compensation will vary depending on the type of injury you have sustained and will be hard to predict initially.

If you are happy to proceed with Beacon Law, you will be required to complete some paperwork and provide formal instructions for us to act as your solicitor for your head injury case. Following this, we will notify the Defendant of the potential case being brought against them and seek disclosure of any important documents which they may hold about you or your injury.

We will then assist in obtaining information from you and evidence such as any photographs from the accident scene, hospital records and a medical report.

In some circumstances, it is necessary to lodge the claim at Court if an agreement cannot be reached with the Defendant. The decision to proceed to this stage will depend on the complexity of the case and the Defendant’s disputes within the matter. You should know, however, that simply registering a case with the Court does not mean it will always progress to Trial and attendance at Trial. There is a lengthy legal process to follow before the matter reaches Trial, and a compensation settlement can be agreed upon at any time throughout the claims process.

How long will the claims process last?

The amount of time taken to settle concussion injury claims varies greatly, depending on the case itself and the complexities within the case. However, we can request interim payments from the Defendant throughout the progress of the case. These are paid in advance of your settlement figure or the final amount, which will be agreed upon. They are usually smaller payments and can be paid to cover the costs of your needs, such as rehabilitation costs.

When a final amount is agreed between the parties, the interim payment which you have received throughout your case will be deducted from the final amount you receive.

How much compensation could I receive?

This will vary greatly from case to case based on the facts of the case and the level of injury sustained. The amounts can vary from £1,450 for minor head injuries to £265,000 for more severe brain damage.

You will also be able to make a claim for additional losses, such as long term care and assistance, medical costs, loss of earnings, and travel expenses. This compensation can also include future losses.

How is concussion injury claims compensation calculated?

Compensation for personal injury claims is split into special and general damages.

General damages – This refers to any compensation awarded to you for your suffering, loss of amenity and pain. In order to calculate this amount, we look at previous cases which are similar to yours, alongside guidelines that are issued to judges who determine the outcome of such claims when they go to court.

Special damages – Special damages refer to direct financial losses that you might have incurred as a result of your injuries. These include things such as loss of earnings up to the settlement, travel costs, medical costs or the costs of care provided to you.

Are there any time limits?

There is usually a three-year time limit when claiming compensation for a concussion. The time limit starts from the date of the accident. However, this time limit can be extended in certain circumstances, for example, if the Claimant was a child at the time of the accident or if the Claimant lost mental capacity as a result of the concussion injury.

How much will a compensation claim cost me?

Bringing a concussion injury compensation claim forward does not have to cost you anything. At Beacon Law, we act on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. This means that you will not be entitled to pay anything on a claim if you are unsuccessful. The only requirement to this no win no fee agreement is that you are honest throughout your case and that you cooperate fully with us. Our legal fees will be deducted from your final compensation amount calculated at the end of your claim. 

How can Beacon Law assist?

Beacon Law is a Manchester law firm with a great reputation. Our specialist personal injury solicitors and legal professionals have years of experience in handling personal injury claims and medical negligence claims. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can provide you with the legal advice you require as your personal injury lawyer around the legal claim process. We will provide assistance throughout your case and act only within your instructions in progressing the matter.