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Multiple injuries are caused by serious accidents and can include orthopaedic injuries, such as broken bones, along with head, brain and spinal cord injuries.
Unfortunately, these injuries can have a devastating impact on families. Multiple traumas may result in ongoing mobility problems as well as severe chronic pain for the injured person, which can have a lasting impact on everyday life.
People who have sustained serious multiple injuries often require care and may be reliant on family and friends. As well as the physical complications associated with multiple injuries, the loss of independence can also have an impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing too.
What are multiple injuries?
Often referred to as multiple trauma or ‘polytrauma’, this injury type refers to a person who has sustained multiple traumatic injuries (such as a traumatic brain injury and broken bones) from a single incident.
These types of injuries are most commonly associated with road traffic collisions and the armed forces. Common multiple injuries include:
• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations
• Breaks and fractures
• Ligament and nerve damage
• Joint dislocation and sprains
Multiple injuries can be caused by many types of accidents but are particularly common in road traffic accidents. The sudden impact of a collision can cause:
• Internal injuries
• Head and brain injuries
• Sprains, fractures and whiplash
Scarring could also be counted as a second injury – for example, if you suffered from a fracture and the bone has pierced the skin, then your solicitor will take into consideration the scar as well as the fracture when working out your compensation.
As vulnerable road users, cyclists and motorcyclists are at particular risk of suffering multiple injuries in a road traffic accident.
For example, it’s common for a road accident to lead to broken bones, internal injuries and scarring. If these injuries were sustained in the same accident, then you might be able to make a claim for multiple injury compensation.
The effect of multiple injuries can be devastating and long lasting – they may take a long time to heal; but it’s not just the physical injury that can have an impact on your life.
• Mental impact of injury: You may experience mental effects such as post-traumatic stress. You may be unable to live life in the same way as before and you may have to give up hobbies
• Family and social life: Depending on how severe your accident was, you may need a carer for a short time; or in some cases, your partner may have to give up work to look after you. It’s also likely that a severe injury can restrict your social life if you’re unable to move around as easily as you did before
• Work and livelihood: You are likely to need extended sick leave if you’re unable to work. In some cases, you may never go back to your old job – or you may never work again if the injuries you suffered have a lifelong impact on your health
Any injury can have a devastating impact on your life, and it can feel particularly unfair if the accident wasn’t your fault. If you do choose to make a compensation claim, your solicitor will make sure that your compensation covers every aspect of how your injuries have affected your life and future.
Because no two cases are the same, it’s impossible to know exactly how much compensation you might receive before you start your claim. Your solicitor will consider the full impact of your multiple injuries when calculating your estimated compensation, and will work hard to get you the money you need. For example, your compensation can cover:
• Lost earnings from time off work, or if you’ve had to find a new job altogether
• Any private medical treatment you’ve had to pay for
• Your pain and suffering, and the effects it’s had on your family
• The costs of accommodation, transport and care
• The impact your injuries could continue to have in the future, including on your mental and emotional health
Interim payments
As multiple injury claims can be very complicated, it can sometimes take a while for your claim to be completed. Your injuries will probably already have caused you a significant amount of stress and expense, so, where possible, your solicitor will try to get you an ‘interim payment’ of compensation.
An interim payment is an amount of compensation you receive before your final settlement. This is to cover your immediate needs and allows you to get the help you need while your case progresses. In the case of multiple injuries, you may:
• Need to buy a new vehicle that will take a wheelchair
• Need a stairlift or other alterations to your home
• In serious cases, you may even need to move home completely
However, it is important to understand that interim payments are only available if liability is admitted by the other side. Your solicitor will work hard to ensure the issue of liability is settled as soon as possible so that they can concentrate on getting a fair settlement and interim payments when possible.
Following an accident, it can be easy to feel that some part of it was your fault; you might feel embarrassed, for example. However, often someone else should have taken steps to make sure you’re safe – your employers in your workplace, or your local authority on the roads, for example.
When you speak to a solicitor, they’ll try to gather as much evidence as possible to show who was liable for your injury – this will make your claim easier, and your solicitor can then try to secure interim payments.
If fault is not admitted, your solicitor will have to prove that the other side was negligent. This will mean showing that they owed you a duty of care, that this duty was breached, and your injuries were a direct result.
Your solicitor will take a full account of events leading to the accident. They’ll also need as much evidence as possible to build a strong case for you such as:
• Photographs or videos of the scene
• Details of any witnesses
• Photos of your injuries
• Any police incident numbers
Your solicitor will tell you what other information and documents they will need to support your claim – the more you have, the stronger the chances of your claim being successful.
Your solicitor will also apply for your medical records and arrange an assessment with an expert medical professional on your injuries and your prognosis. It’s likely more than one of these will be needed in the case of multiple injuries.
You should take steps to make your compensation claim as soon as possible because, usually, you only have three years from the date of the incident in which to start legal proceedings. After three years, you’ll be what is known as ‘time-barred’ and might not be able claim compensation.
If you’re claiming for a child, you have until they reach 18 to make a claim (they then have until they’re 21 to make a claim in their own name). If you’re claiming on behalf of someone who isn’t able to do so on their own because of the extent of their injuries, this three-year period doesn’t start until they’ve regained their mental capacity.
However, whether you’re claiming for yourself or for anyone else, start the ball rolling as soon as you can while the accident is fresh in your mind.
If you or a loved one has suffered multiple injuries a result of someone’s negligence, speak to a legal advisor about making a compensation claim as early as possible.
Our team has decades of combined experience in dealing with Serious Injury Claims.
Our Nicholson Jones Sutton Serious Injury Specialists are sympathetic, understanding, and can help you get the outcome you deserve.
If you would like to discuss an issue, please get in touch to arrange a free no obligation consultation. We’re available by email or phone.
Get in touch using the form below or via the following methods:
Nicholson Jones Sutton Solicitors Limited is a Limited company which is UK based registration number 06945583.
Our services are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. www.sra.org.uk
Leanne studied the Bar Vocational Course at the BPP Law School in Leeds, and graduated with Very Competent, before cross-qualifying as a Solicitor in 2013.
She joined the firm in 2009 as a Personal Injury Fee Earner, dealing with various matters including Road Traffic Accidents, Employment and Public Liability, and Medical Negligence.
Leanne progressed onto a Litigation Team Manager role in 2015, managing a team of RTA Personal Injury Fee Earners, and further on to Litigation Manager in 2020, working closely with the Directors to ensure the success of the Personal Injury Department.
Leanne has been heavily involved in the development and expansion of the EL/PL Department, as well as the Medical, Dental and Cosmetic Negligence Department.
In her personal life Leanne enjoys holidaying and days out with her young family.
After qualifying as a solicitor in 2002, Richard gained experience working in several firms in the north west of England.
Throughout his 25 year career in the law, Richard has covered the gamut of Personal Injury work. Described as being ‘terrier like’ in his approach to litigation, Richard still loves the thrill of the fight despite his ever advancing years.
Outside of work, Richard lives on the Wirral with his wife and two children. When he isn’t busy helping with homework or coaching his daughter’s football team, Richard enjoys baking and watching his beloved Liverpool FC.
Nichola joined the company around 2009 whilst studying a Law Degree, having already obtained a degree in Forensic Science and Criminology Degree.
With the support of NJS Nichola completed her training contract and qualified in 2014 as a solicitor. Whilst She has vast experience in all aspects of RTA litigation She also has diversified and now also deal with employers liability claims, occupiers liability claims and public liability matters.
Whilst once a keen horse rider, more recently in her spare time her ventures involve building projects and enjoying family time with her two young children.
Rachel completed a Batchelor of Education at the Manchester Metropolitan University before undertaking a change in career in 2004.
Since then, Rachel has been dealing with litigated personal injury matters. She has a vast knowledge of the claims process and in her previous role dealt with a varied caseload of Road Traffic Accidents, Employment and Public Liability matters.
Since joining the firm in 2022, Rachel has added Medical, Dental and Cosmetic Negligence claims to her expertise.
In her spare time, Rachel is an avid Manchester City supporter and enjoys holidays and long dog walks with her family.
Joanne has worked in law since leaving School and joined the company in 2020.
Joanne is a Senior Litigation Executive with over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of RTA litigation and also has diversified and now also deals with employers liability claims, occupiers liability claims and public liability matters.
In her spare time she enjoys making memories with her family and friends.
