What To Do After Suffering From A Head Injury

Suffering a head injury is a traumatic experience that can take time and patience to recover from, and how long it takes will depend on the severity of the injury. Aside from the physical aspects of a head injury, you are also likely to have to contend with emotional difficulties too. A head injury that causes damage to the brain may also mean that you find day to day life different than before, and you may have problems with cognitive functioning. Suffering a head injury is a difficult thing to go through, but there are some things you can do to help you get your life back on track.

First Responses

There are many different types of head injury, from cuts and lacerations, bruising, to severe injuries like skull and brain damage. Any injury to the head must be treated seriously, and be thoroughly checked. Sometimes you may be able to do this yourself, or you might need the help of a medical professional.

When you first suffer a head injury, there are some steps to follow to check that you are ok. If you are injured and remain conscious, you need to stop what you are doing and rest. Aside from pain, if you have symptoms such as dizziness, changes in vision, ringing in the ears or abnormal breathing, you may have a concussion and need emergency treatment. If you can, call an ambulance or ask someone to call for you.

Minor head injuries can be treated at home with rest and pain relievers, as well as applying ice to reduce any swelling and inflammation. However, you need to monitor your symptoms closely. Sometimes, symptoms of a head injury might not show for a few hours, or even a day or so later, so seek emergency advice if you are vomit, find yourself irritable, or have a headache that won’t subside after taking paracetamol.

Recovery

Rest is crucial when recovering from a head injury and most minor head injuries should get better within a week or two. However, it may be a long process if your injury is more serious. An injury to the brain can cause physical and mental impairment that may require a variety of different treatments, from speech therapy to physiotherapy.

Having access to the best treatments might help increase your rate of recovery, yet can be a drain on your financial situation. If this is the case, you could consider searching for injury lawyers for you, to see if you are eligible for a no win no fee claim. A good solicitor will be able to advise you on the best course of action should you wish to pursue an injuries claim.

Any head injury is a cause for concern, and one that causes a concussion needs prompt medical attention. Don’t put off seeing a doctor even if your symptoms are mild. Full recovery from a head injury can take time, so be patient and don’t overexert yourself even though you feel fine. Get support from your family and friends, and ask for help if you need it.

Knowing Your Rights In A Car Accident

So many of us take the ability to hop into our car and travel wherever we like as a given. That is until we lose that very freedom to do so. In short, knowing your rights in a car accident is important.

Effectively, it can be an extremely traumatic occurrence, especially if it wasn’t your fault. As a result of the collision, you may have suffered serious injury and damage to the vehicle. If so, it’s essential that you understand and protect your rights in a car accident. Particularly if the accident comes down to someone else’s carelessness.

The first step to getting a resolution to your case is:

  • knowing what these rights are, and;
  • the next steps that you’ll need to take.

Here are your rights in a car accident

To call 999

Whether or not you’re at fault, you have every right to call emergency services and receive necessary treatment. Even if the other party:

  • pleads with you not to phone for emergency help, or;
  • is keen to resolve the case between you both.

Regardless, it’s still essential that you call the police or emergency services, as you may suffer from internal injuries. A police report is also an important form of evidence in dealing with insurance and making a claim. Therefore, don’t let the other party talk you out of it: think about the best interests of the other party.

To receive compensation

If you were injured in the accident or your vehicle was damaged, you have the right to make a claim against the person or group of people responsible for the incident. Always be sure to take as many photographs as you can. Namely, pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as external injuries you may suffer from. If you think you’re suffering from a severe injury, it’s wise to make a medical injury claim. Also be sure to capture photos of road conditions, streets signs or anything other potential collision factors.

To talk to witnesses

If you notice that there are any witnesses around, you need them on the record. Take note of their name and contact details, as it’s information you may need these for insurance or compensation purposes. You should always encourage any witnesses to recall their point of view of what they saw to the police. In turn, their testimony is a vital aspect in the police report and result in you getting what you deserve.

To remain silent

After the accident has occurred, you have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to contact the other party, their insurance company or solicitors. If the other party continuously and needlessly harasses you over the case, you need to alert the police.

Not to apologise

Although you’re in shock after the accident, try to maintain calm. Above all, continually apologising to the other party is a No-No. Such a simple phrase can determine whether or not you will end up taking full responsibility for the accident. Therefore, even if you believe you’re in the wrong, wait until the release of the details before you settle on taking the blame.

A Guide to Understanding Cycling Accident Compensation

Though great for your health and the environment, cycling poses several risks of its own. The lack of protection from other drivers and even unsafe road conditions could turn your comfortable bike ride to work into a disastrous accident. Therefore, cycling accident compensation claims are a difficult reality in the UK.

In many cases, these injuries might occur due to the negligence of another party.

For example, say the driver of a car doesn’t check their blind spot and strikes you. You can subsequently sue them for compensation. An improperly paved road that caused you to lose control could mean you have a case against the city.

The difficulty in these cases, and why you should always hire an experienced attorney, is that in most cases the furthest a plaintiff can go with their case of negligence is contributory negligence, which puts both parties to blame for the accident. Not know how to make personal injury claims? Read on.

Can You Claim for Cycling Accident Compensation?

Indeed, you can. Just as you can claim compensation after a driving accident. Or, if a car strikes you as a pedestrian.

So, too, can a person claim compensation as a cyclist. In fact, you’ve mostly the same rights, too. Not a moment too soon, either: there exists significant cycling accident statistics in the UK. In 2018, RoSPA reports 4,106 serious injuries and over 13 thousand slight injuries amongst cyclists.

What are the Complications When Making a Claim?

Even if this is the case, there are some complications. A pedestrian struck on the pavement has no responsibility in the accident. Accordingly, the vehicle that hits them violates the rules of the road.

As cyclists and motorists share the road, however, this can make compensation claims a bit more tricky. This is because the cyclist faces distractions at the time of the accident.

As a cyclist, it’s your responsibility to be attentive at all times. Other elements can also be a distraction when making a compensation claim.

  • For example, listening to music on the way to work or;
  • Alternatively, taking a drink from your water bottle.

Although this may be true, this does not rule out your ability to win a claim. However, it does increase the likelihood that the amount you receive will be deducted. This is what often happens because these cases are contributorily negligent. In other words, you were partly to blame for the accident. The case is, if you face no distractions, you will be able to stop in time or avoid the accident.

The other complication is that judges, in general, aren’t very familiar with cycling injuries and accidents. That is why hiring a knowledgeable lawyer can help, as they will explain in legal terms the case in a way the judge can understand.

The Issue of Distractions

Contributory negligence does not mean you won’t receive compensation. It just means the total amount they award you is subject to a discount, sometimes by as much as 25%.

However, the exact amount will depend on how complicit the judge believes you were in the accident. The argument holds then that – if you face distractions – you can, therefore, ride away, stop, or otherwise minimise the accident from occurring.

If a driver breaks the law while injuring you (instead of, say, turning lanes without checking their blind spot), then you have a very solid case.

What to Do If You Have Been a Victim to a Cycling Accident

If you have been the victim of a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, then you will want to:

  1. Seek Out a Lawyer.
  2. Seek Out Professional Rehabilitation.

By doing so, you give yourself the best chance of being compensated for a personal injury accident claim.

Suffering an Arm Injury: Can I Make A Claim?

If you have recently suffered an arm injury, one of the first things that may have come into your mind after seeking medical advice is whether or not you are able to make a claim for compensation, primarily if the injury was the fault of someone else.

From a legal point of view, an arm injury can be present anywhere in the arm itself; from the upper arm to the forearm, wrist or elbow. If this is the case, you may be able to claim back thousands of pounds in compensation. In the most severe cases, the impact of the injury may prevent you from carrying out everyday activities, both in your personal or working life, which may stop you from earning an income. For those it affects in this way, it will increase your chances of claiming back any money that has been lost.

In order to claim for an injury, you need to prove that the accident was caused as a result of negligence from another person or organisation, which put your safety at risk. If on the other hand, the injury was caused yourself and there is no-one else to blame, then it’s usually impossible to claim any compensation.

If a third party, such as a workplace is to blame and you are now suffering from any of the following injuries, there is a high chance you can make a claim by getting in touch with a professional solicitor who could look into your case on your behalf. The most common injuries for claims include:

  • Burns
  • Muscle tears
  • Tendonitis or sprains
  • Broken bones
  • The loss of limbs

Time limits

Be aware that there is typically a time limit for negligence claims to be made, which includes any court proceedings that need to be issued. However, if you sought medical advice and received your diagnosis of any of the injuries mentioned above quickly, it would be wise to make that claim as soon as the accident occurs to stand you in a better position.

Making the claim

As part of your compensation claim, you will need to have some form of supporting evidence to prove you were at no fault and was a result of the third party’s negligence. It will help avoid any long-term complications which may arise, such as if the third party denies responsibility. Getting hold of your medical records will act as hard evidence, as the notes were written by a medical professional who witnessed the extent of the injury as soon as the incident occurred. You should also try and get hold of any CCTV footage, contact details of witnesses, photographs of the scene and the injury, with immediate effect. The more evidence you can gather on your accident, the stronger your injuries claim will be when put to solicitors. You could also put together a timeline of events within a folder, so those in charge of your case are more aware of what happened and can provide you with an accurate figure on how much compensation you could receive.

Who To Turn To After Suffering An Injury At Work

Suffering Injury At Work

Knowing what to do after a workplace injury can help you to reduce the stress and confusion of what comes next. Workplace injuries are unfortunately common, and if you have become involved with one that affects your health, then you may be entitled to make a work accident compensation claim.

With any injury at work, there are a clear set of steps that you need to take to ensure that your recovery is more rapid. There is a clear ladder of succession when it comes to who to turn to, and by following these steps you make your chances of making a successful injury at work claim more likely.

Speak To Colleagues

Your first step after an injury at work is to ensure that you have received the correct medical attention. Your first step should be to inform your colleagues of the accident and seek out the designated first aider on the premises. This will be an essential stage when it comes to your recovery. The sooner that you receive medical help, the better.

Speaking to your colleagues will also make them aware of the circumstances of your injury and reduce the chances of the same thing happening to them. This will also help form the foundation of your injury at work claim.

Report the Incident to Management

Speaking to your manager will be the next step. If your injury is serious, then they have a legal obligation to inform the Health and Safety Executive. In many companies, failing to report the accident can be a dismissible offence, so make sure that you do so. At this point, focus more on ensuring that the accident isn’t repeated, and do not discuss the notion of blame. Fault is a difficult element of an injury at work claim, and by raising the subject now, you may end up making it harder to move forward. However, you need to ensure that your accident has been recorded in the accident report book. It may also be useful to take any photos of the environment where the accident occurred, as well as any injuries that you have received.

Medical Professionals

If you are considering making a work accident compensation claim, then you will need to compile evidence. Keep any records of visits to your GP or the hospital. These will be essential if you decide to make a grievance. You should also consider keeping a diary of your symptoms as well, as this will help both your legal team and your doctor. Bear in mind that if you only visit your doctor once, then your payment will be affected. An injury at work claim is decided by the effects of the injury, and the more severe it is, the higher your compensation will be. If you have issues with pain or quality of life, then take the time to visit your GP.

Being involved in a work-related injury will always take you by surprise. Managing and coping in both the long and short-term will be far easier if you follow these guidelines. Speak to a legal professional who has experience with injury at work cases, and you could be receiving monetary compensation that will make your recovery much more manageable.

How Stress Can Impact Your Productivity At Work

Stress in the workplace can have a number of significant negative effects. These range from a lack of productivity to mental health issues and can be caused by a variety of influences. These include:

  • Excessive workloads
  • Toxic co-workers
  • Angry customers
  • Commutes
  • Dangerous work conditions

Reduced productivity is the first major sign of workplace stress, and may result in you taking your stresses home with you. That creates a cycle of stress that means that you have no respite. Dealing with workplace stress can be challenging, but work-related stress compensation is possible. Here’s how workplace stress can affect your productivity, and what you should do to tackle these issues.

Time Management Problems

One of the problems with workplace stress is that it can make your work faster than you can perform. This is due to the adrenaline burst that comes with excessive stress. A combination of frustration and panic can lead to mistakes being made, which will affect your overall productivity. This source of stress can lead to many negative consequences, but the most prevalent is the rise of workplace resentment. This too will lead to a lack of productivity, as you will be feeling unappreciated by your employers.

Relationship Strain

It’s not just your relationships with your colleagues that will be affected by excessive stress. Your personal relationships can suffer as well. The feeling of hopelessness caused by a lack of peer support in the workplace or an excessive workload can lead to depression, heightened sensitivity to even the most constructive criticism, and even paranoia. This can result in arguments, as well as a reduction in your own personal self-esteem. This will lead to less focus on your work, reducing your productivity and creating a cycle that can be hard to break free from.

Information Awareness

Being stressed makes it difficult to retain information, and can also cause a lack of focus. Stress is mentally exhausting, and if you are given new work guidelines or tasks, it can be difficult to retain the required information. The lack of focus will mean that you are more prone to accidents or mistakes, which will diminish your productivity even more.

Health Issues

Stress can cause a number of noticeable health problems. Those health problems will mean that you are not working at 100%, and your productivity can be dramatically affected. Symptoms of stress-related health issues include:

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Blurred vision
  • Weight fluctuations
  • High blood pressure

There are many more potential health problems that can be caused by stress, and you will need recovery time. A work-related stress compensation payment can help you if you need to take time off work to recover from excessive stress.

Your employer has a set of legal guidelines that dictate how they deal with cases of work-related stress. If you think that you have a valid issue that fits with the guidelines of stress at work claims, then you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you receive a payment for general damages or special damages will depend on your individual case, but will reflect the amount of work-related stress compensation that you ultimately receive.

Recovering After An Injury: A Guide

Injury RecoveryInjuries and accidents can strike at any time. Knowing the best ways to recover can have a drastic effect on the amount of time that it takes to get back to full health. There are some simple steps that you can take that will help you to not only speed up your recovery time but also make it easier to get injury compensation if someone else was the cause of your injury. If you have been injured at work or in your personal time, then here are the best actions that you can take that can help you recover and regain your pre-injury quality of life.

Be Patient

It can take time to recover from an injury. The time that it is likely to take will depend on the severity of the injury. Your doctor will have given you some estimation on recovery time, and you should try to stick to those guidelines as much as possible. Trying to rush your recovery can lead to complications, and may even make your injury worse. Take time to heal, and use that time productively. If you are considering personal injury claims, then you should use your healing time to gather as much information about the causes of your injury as possible.

Light Exercise

Your doctor will have advised you about the need to keep moving. If your injury does not affect mobility then something as simple as a daily brisk walk can be highly beneficial and could help to reduce the time it takes to recover. If mobility is an issue after your injury, then speak to your doctor about the best ways to keep your fitness levels acceptable. Never try and over-exercise. You might think that pushing your muscles to pre-injury levels will speed up your recovery, but it’s more likely to cause additional damage.

Eat Well

Eating healthily is always a good idea, but when you’re recovering from an injury, it becomes essential. Eating the right foods can speed up the time it takes to regain your health. Ideally, you want to focus on protein-rich foods, as well as fruits that are high in Vitamin C. Speak to your doctor and they will be able to provide you with a list of the best foods to include in your diet. Eating the right food can help your body to rebuild while eating the wrong food types can result in a much slower recovery time.

Legal Advice

If your injury was the fault of someone else, then you should use your recovery period to look at personal injury claims. Look for a solicitor that has experience with injury compensation, as there may be medical terms that can be confusing for those legal experts who have never undertaken any form of a medical claim. If your injury has caused you a massive drop in the quality of your life, then making an injury claim could help you pay for any changes to your life or home that may be the result of your injury.

Recovering from an injury will take time and patience. Take your time to recover, and look for practical ways to speed up your recovery. If you suffer from financial concerns due to your injury, then an injury compensation payment could help to alleviate your worries.