Rehabilitation: A Key Part of the Personal Injury Claims Process
In brief
- Rehabilitation is support to help you recover after an injury, such as physiotherapy, counselling or CBT, home adaptations, equipment and case management.
- It should be considered as early as possible in a personal injury claim, and reviewed as the claim goes on.
- The Rehabilitation Code encourages both sides to work together on an injured person's rehabilitation needs, and support can often start while the claim is still ongoing.
- Our personal injury lawyers help identify what support you need and work with insurers and medical professionals to put it in place.
When a person is involved in an accident, the impact on that person can be life changing. From physical injuries and mental health concerns to the effects on work and the challenges faced in relationships with family and friends, the implications can be far-reaching, and the aftermath of an accident can be truly difficult to navigate.
Personal injury law exists to combat those real challenges and support those who have been injured as a result of someone else's negligence. We represent clients to ensure they can access the help they need to rebuild their lives, recover financial stability, and hold the responsible parties fully accountable for their actions.
While seeking compensation for injuries suffered in an accident is a key part of the claims process, whether the incident happened in public, at work or on the road, our role as personal injury lawyers extends beyond securing a financial settlement. At Bird & Co, we understand that behind every personal injury claim is a person whose life has been affected. Our role is therefore not only to help secure compensation, but to support recovery and help clients move forward.
Beyond compensation: supporting recovery after injury
We understand how important compensation can be when pursuing a personal injury claim. For many people, it provides vital support in dealing with the consequences of an accident and the changes it may have brought to their lives. Compensation aims to address the impact of an injury by taking into account the pain and emotional distress experienced, as well as financial losses such as travel expenses, loss of earnings, medical treatment and other costs.
However, while compensation can provide important financial support, recovery often involves much more than a settlement alone.
The pain and suffering caused by an injury also needs to be addressed through a rehabilitation-focused approach, with the aim of helping clients get their lives back on track. Looking beyond financial losses, the physical and emotional impact of an accident and resulting injury can be immense.
What rehabilitation can include
Rehabilitation offered as part of a personal injury claim can include:
- Physical therapy, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
- Psychological support, including counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
- Practical help, such as home adjustments, medical equipment and aids.
- Case management, where a dedicated case manager coordinates care in more complex cases.
But how does all this work?
The path to recovery: accessing the right support
Rehabilitation should be considered as early as possible in the claims process and should continue to be reviewed throughout. This approach is supported by the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims and the Rehabilitation Code, a voluntary framework that encourages early consideration of an injured person's rehabilitation needs and cooperation between parties, with a focus on supporting physical and psychological recovery.
Under the Rehabilitation Code, the injured person's lawyer and the insurer are encouraged to raise rehabilitation needs early and to work together on them, rather than leaving treatment until the claim is settled. An early assessment of what support is needed is usually the first step.
Every injury is different, and so the support required will be unique to each person. Rehabilitation is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and the type of support needed may change as someone progresses through their recovery and throughout the claims process. In many cases, appropriate support can be explored and arranged while the claim is ongoing.
A medical professional may assess an injured person's needs, taking into account their physical injuries, psychological wellbeing, lifestyle, work and independence. From this assessment, it may be appropriate to implement a tailored rehabilitation plan to support their recovery.
As personal injury lawyers, we help identify when this rehabilitation support may be beneficial and work alongside the relevant professionals to help ensure our clients have access to the support they need throughout their recovery.
A collaborative approach
We work collaboratively with insurers, medical professionals and our clients to facilitate timely and effective rehabilitation, with the injured person remaining at the centre of the process.
Medical experts play an important role in assessing injuries, understanding ongoing needs and identifying what support may be required. While their assessments can assist in evidencing the injuries sustained as part of the claim, they also provide valuable insight into the challenges a client may continue to experience and whether further treatment or rehabilitation may be beneficial.
For example, a client who has suffered injuries in a workplace accident may require support from a physiotherapist to aid their physical recovery and help them return to their usual activities. Similarly, a person involved in a road traffic accident may experience not only physical injuries but also severe psychological effects, such as flashbacks, anxiety or difficulties sleeping. In these circumstances, support from a psychologist may form an important part of their recovery.
In more complex cases involving serious injuries, such as a brain injury or an amputation, additional support may be required. A case manager may help coordinate different aspects of care, while an occupational therapist may assist with adapting to daily activities and regaining independence.
As personal injury lawyers, we act as a link between our clients and the professionals supporting their recovery. We help ensure that rehabilitation needs are identified and that our clients' recovery remains at the heart of the process.
A collaborative approach brings together the right people and expertise to support our clients' individual needs and help them move forward. Ultimately, rehabilitation is about helping someone return to the things that matter most to them, whether that means returning to work, caring for family, enjoying hobbies, being able to drive again, regaining independence or rebuilding confidence.
Helping clients move forward
We understand that one of the key outcomes of a personal injury claim is securing financial compensation. However, compensation alone cannot undo the injuries suffered or address every challenge a person may face following an accident.
This is why rehabilitation plays such a key role in personal injury claims, providing the support needed to help clients recover and ultimately return to a more normal way of life.
Frequently asked questions
When should rehabilitation start in a personal injury claim?
As early as possible. The Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims and the Rehabilitation Code both encourage rehabilitation needs to be considered from the start of a claim and reviewed as it goes on.
Can I get rehabilitation before my claim is settled?
Often, yes. In many cases appropriate support can be explored and arranged while the claim is ongoing, so you do not have to wait for a settlement to start treatment.
What kinds of rehabilitation are available?
It depends on your injuries and needs. It can include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling or CBT, home adaptations, medical equipment and aids, and support from a case manager in more complex cases.
Speak to our personal injury lawyers
If you've been injured in an accident, you can speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Grantham, Newark or Lincoln today by calling 01476 372152 or use the contact form at the top of the page to ask a question.