Our approach to building a Team Around the Client

We recognise that you require access to experts in managing the injuries you or your loved one has sustained, and to help assess and mitigate the impact on your lives. As we in the Compensation Protection Unit strive to identify and understand you or your loved one’s medical and therapeutic needs we have access to a number of resources, including the expert reports secured during the litigation process, information provided by the treating clinicians and by appointing specialists to examine, assess and treat our clients. We have developed close links with recognised experts who are leaders in their field.

The range of experts involved with clients naturally varies depending on the nature and extent of the injury but may include:

• Neurologists;
• Neuropsychologists;
• Orthopaedic surgeons;
• Paediatricians;
• Physiotherapists;
• Occupational Therapists;
• Speech and Language Therapists;
• Educational experts;
• Architects;
• Construction experts.

The compensation protection team understands the importance of working up a medical and therapeutic regime and is able to draw on the wealth of experience these specialists have to offer to ensure you or your loved one’s needs are met. In working in this way it enables us to ensure our approach is tailored to safeguard your health, and to promote independence and wellbeing.

Following the settlement of a compensation claim for personal injury it is important for the funds to be used to benefit you or your loved one not just in the short term but also to plan for your medium and long term needs.

In order to do this we work closely with expert independent financial advisors with a wealth of experience in advising on the appropriate investment strategy for compensation funds.

The advisors we work with appreciate that this money is essential to provide for you or your loved one for the remainder of your life: it is not a lottery win or an inheritance. They understand the funds that need to be set aside to ensure you have the care, therapy and equipment you need but also that provision is properly made for the usual everyday expenses of life such as utility bills and holidays.

In providing expert advice our financial advisors will help us work with you and your family to make informed financial decisions by modelling the impact decisions have on your finances long-term. By presenting this data both in person at a Trust or deputyship meeting and in producing comprehensible financial reports, together we are able to monitor spending in the context of sustainability and to forecast when the funds will be exhausted.

It is important to understand that compensation is awarded on the “but for” test ( but for the negligence the client would have accumulated £x capital and income). The award is based on a life expectancy predicted by experts and is expected to be exhausted when you or your loved one take your last breath. It is for this reason that it is inappropriate for the professional trustee or deputy to undertake inheritance tax planning.

These financial experts recognise that investing money is often not something you may have experience of and will always take this on board when making financial recommendations.

We have access to advisors who can provide us with expert benefits advice and who are able to support you or your loved one in making claims for benefits and, if necessary, through the appeals and tribunal process.

By working with these specialists, the compensation protection team is able to ensue that you or your loved one receives all the financial support you need to enable you or your family member to be closely involved in the financial decision making process.