A head injury can affect you in many different ways, leaving physical scars and impairing your everyday function. These injuries can cause real change to you and your family’s lives, affecting independence, your relationships and your ability to work. 

Head injury causes

Head injuries can be caused by many different types of personal injury accidents and can be a common feature in:

• Serious road accidents.
• Cycling accidents.
• Accidents at work.

There are many different types of head injuries. Head trauma can affect you in different ways, sometimes injuries can affect just one specific functional area or, in cases of major trauma, can impact all functionality.  

Common types of head injury claims

Skull Fracture: A skull fracture is any form of break to the cranial bone. Fractures are not always plain to the naked eye, and symptoms that can indicate an internal fracture include; bruising to the face, bleeding from the ears or nose and swelling and tenderness. Causes of skull fractures include; assault, road traffic accidents or injuring the head due to a fall. 

Haematoma: Involves the collection of blood between the brain and the skull. It is typically caused by a form of severe head trauma following a road traffic accident or fall. Symptoms include; headaches, drowsiness, vomiting and even loss of consciousness. 

For more serious head injuries, recovery can be a long and difficult road and may result in a very different future. Your home and work may need adaptations, or you could be in a position where you cannot work again.  

Effects of head injuries

A head injury can affect physical abilities, including:

• Balance and coordination. 
• Mobility. 
• Sensory ability- sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste. 
• Muscle strength, tone and control. 

Those suffering due to a head injury may also suffer from:

• Headaches. 
• Bladder/bowel changes. 
• Increased fatigue. 
• Sleep disturbance. 
• Depression. 
• Mood swings. 
• Personality changes. 
• Confusion. 
• Difficulty communicating effectively.

Head injuries can lead to unique and challenging ongoing physical and mental issues.  As part of the claims process, your solicitor will arrange for an independent medical expert to assess your injuries and report back with recommended treatment and rehabilitation, to help you to live with your head injury. 

Rehabilitation for head injury claims

The following types of rehabilitation might be recommended for a head injury:

• Physiotherapy: To help you to regain strength and coordination. 
• Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist will help you adapt your home to help you manage the impact of your head injury. 
• Psychological therapy: To help with your mental health following the trauma of a head injury. Psychological therapy can help you to come to terms with your new way of life following the injury and provide you with ways of managing your anger and stress.