One often forgotten aspect to personal injury and clinical negligence claims is rehabilitation. Injuries can be life-changing and returning to some level of function and fitness can be more important to an individual than financial compensation. This can be true of any type of injury, but even more so when serious or catastrophic injuries are involved. That’s why here at Slater Heelis, we take a holistic approach to cases and identify how a client’s rehabilitation needs can be met at the earliest possible stage.
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the journey back to fitness, helping individuals regain their physical and emotional well-being, and those needs cannot always be appropriately met by the NHS. In this blog, we’ll explore why rehabilitation is so important in serious injury cases and how it can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected.
The Rehabilitation Code
The Rehabilitation Code was first introduced in 1999 as a guideline for solicitors and insurers dealing with personal injury and medical negligence claims which focuses on early intervention to help the injured person make the best and quickest recovery from a physical, social, vocational, and psychological perspective. It requires the Claimant’s representatives to notify the Defendant’s representatives of any rehabilitation needs at the earliest possible opportunity so that they can consider funding private treatment to assist recovery.
You might wonder why a Defendant in a case would want to spend money on the private treatment, but by improving rehabilitation provision, the Claimant can recover more quickly and potentially return to work earlier therefore reducing the amount of compensation payable at the end of the case. Early rehabilitation intervention is therefore in the best interests of all parties.
Restoring Physical Function
One of the primary goals of rehabilitation is to restore physical function. Serious injuries can lead to a loss of mobility, strength, and coordination. Through physical therapy and other interventions, rehabilitation helps individuals regain these abilities, allowing them to perform daily activities and potentially return to work sooner.
Psychological Healing
Accidents and injuries can take a toll on mental health and this is an often overlooked consequence of accidents and medical. Rehabilitation can include psychological counselling or therapy to address issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. This emotional support is essential for helping individuals cope with the aftermath of their injuries and move forward with their lives.
Reducing Pain
Chronic ongoing pain is a common consequence of serious injuries. Rehabilitation programs may include pain management techniques to help individuals manage and reduce their pain. This can significantly improve their quality of life and overall well-being.
Preventing Future Complications
Without proper rehabilitation, injuries can lead to long-term complications or a decrease in the overall quality of life. Rehabilitation aims to prevent these complications by addressing the root causes of the injury and promoting healing.
The Role of Case Managers
Case Managers play a vital role in the rehabilitation process. They assess, plan, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the options and services required to meet an individual’s health, wellbeing, social care, education, and occupational needs.
Case Managers are often jointly instructed by the Claimant’s and Defendant’s representatives with the treatment arranged directly funded by the Defendant. This collaborative approach ensures that the rehabilitation process is tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances and that treatment is not delayed.
Early Intervention
The earlier rehabilitation begins, the better the outcome for the injured person. Early and appropriate rehabilitation can help maximize recovery and promote independence, allowing individuals to return to their pre-injury position, or as close as possible to it, at the earliest possible stage.
Conclusion
Rehabilitation is an essential component of the recovery process in serious injury cases. It helps individuals regain their physical and mental well-being, improving their quality of life after a traumatic event.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the specialist serious injury or medical negligence solicitors at Slater Heelis to discuss how rehabilitation can be arranged to support your recovery journey, in addition to claiming compensation.
How Can We Help
Alex Barley is an Associate Partner in our Personal Injury team.
For further information on the above subject, please contact Alex or another member of the team on 0330 111 3131 or via our contact form.