How we helped our client George find new purpose after traumatic brain injury.
When George suffered a brain injury as a result of a road traffic accident, he knew things would never be the same. Find out how our expert solicitors helped him on his journey.
George originally got in touch with our expert brain injury claims team in January 2020 after having sustained multiple injuries in a road traffic accident just outside of Bristol.
George had been cycling to work when a van turned across his path, leading to multiple injuries to his head, face, neck, back and arm. More importantly though, the accident left him with a traumatic brain injury.
The head injury left George with memory issues, blurred vision and double vision, issues concentrating, problems participating in large groups due to noise and concentration and extreme fatigue. All of which had a huge impact on his personal and working life.
George’s life before the accident.
At the time of his accident, George was working as a head chef in a popular food truck in Bristol. Due to his previous abilities and energy within his job, after his accident he was headhunted to work in a large kitchen as a Chef de Partie, which is something he had dreamed of. He found himself under pressure for long periods of time, which was usual for this type of work.
At the time George’s ambition was to work his way up to eventually being able to secure a position as head chef at a restaurant and perhaps running his own business one day. Over time though, it became clear to him that he struggled greatly in the kitchen since his injury, and this had an effect on his ability to do the job in the longer term. Being a chef meant long hours which were difficult for George due to the fatigue that he had suffered since his head injury. He was also required to remember orders and work in a busy and noisy environment, both of which he struggled to deal with.
Even after steadily reducing his hours, George just couldn’t keep up with the pressures that are associated with this type of work. This left him frustrated both with the work and his colleagues. At the end of 2021, George left his employment as a Chef de Partie as he couldn’t cope with the work any longer. This was a huge blow to him and the plans that he had for his future.
Helping George claim compensation.
After contacting RWK Goodman, our expert brain injury claims team were able to secure an admission of liability from the defendant, as well as an interim payment to enable George to access rehabilitation as part of his injury claim.
A case manager was appointed to assess and make recommendations in respect of treatment that might be of assistance. The case manager then coordinated treatment and George received neuropsychology sessions, physiotherapy and personal training sessions. This assisted him in learning to live with some of his symptoms and improving stamina.
As well as treatment, George was assessed by medical experts for the purpose of his case and the Court. These became important both in making recommendations and enabling RWK Goodman to value the case as they dealt with opinions as to what the future would hold for George.
A schedule of loss was drafted, and this dealt with all of George’s past losses and also future losses that he would be likely to incur and included items such as treatment costs, travel expenses, loss of earnings and costs in relation to change of career. His case settled in 2023 under the guidance of Victoria Berger, Associate in the brain injury team.
Looking to the future.
By chance in 2021, it was suggested to George that he try his hand at voiceover work. This is not something he had ever considered before. He was told that he had a good voice and that he should give it a go. George decided to give it a try as he had nothing to lose at that stage, having given up his career in the kitchen. He did not expect anything to come of it and thought it would give him something to do.
After signing up to some very small jobs, he realised that this might be something he could expand over time to make some money.
Over the last three years, George has been able to expand his voiceover work and hopes to continue to expand over time.
The work requires him to work alone in a quiet environment and he is able to rest when he needs to.
Due to the interim payment secured as part of his compensation claim and settlement of his claim, he has been able to purchase the equipment that he needs in order to build his voiceover business.
Making a brain injury claim.
George’s case is by no means a typical brain injury case. Indeed, there is no such thing as a typical case.
All cases dealt with by our brain injury team are unique and our specialist team will deal with each claimant individually depending on the specific facts and requirements. Cases will vary depending on the circumstances in which the injury was suffered, the severity of the injury, the type of rehabilitation that is appropriate for a particular claimant and the losses suffered. For example, how the injury has affected them in their work and personal life.
RWK Goodman seek to guide a claimant and their family through the process in the best way that they can in circumstances where they have received life changing injuries. We deal with cases that differ in severity of the injury sustained from more subtle injuries to catastrophic cases.
If you or someone close to you is living with a brain injury due to an accident, you may be concerned about the future. Our expert brain injury solicitors are here to help.
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