Can I make a brain injury claim for a young adult?
You may be able to bring a young adult brain injury claim if the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a road traffic accident, an accident at work, an accident in a public place, or negligent medical treatment. These claims can help secure compensation for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, the impact on future career and earnings capacity, care, specialist therapy, rehabilitation, accommodation needs, equipment, transport and other long-term support.
Our role is to investigate what happened, gather the right expert and other evidence to support the claim building a clear picture that reflects the full impact of the injury both now and in the future across all aspects of the injured person’s life including education, employment, relationships, independent living and care needs.
Why choose Bolt Burdon Kemp for a young adult brain injury claim?
Brain injury claims involving young adults require a careful understanding of both serious injury law and the realities of early adulthood. Our specialist brain injury solicitors are experienced in complex, high-value claims and are ranked by leading independent legal directories for their work in serious brain injury cases. We act only for injured people and their families, and we are committed to progressing claims swiftly so that clients can access the treatment, support and financial security they need as early as possible.
Where appropriate, we seek interim payments to help fund rehabilitation, case management, therapy, care, equipment and practical support while the claim is ongoing. We also work closely with medical experts, rehabilitation professionals, families and support networks to make sure the claim reflects the young person’s individual goals, whether that means returning to education, starting work, living more independently or adapting to a different future.
Explore our brain injury rehabilitation hub for guidance on recovery after a brain injury and why early rehabilitation can play a vital role in achieving the best outcomes.
What can compensation help with?
A successful brain injury compensation claim can provide vital support at a time when a young adult’s plans may have been disrupted. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may help cover specialist rehabilitation, neuropsychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, care and support at home, education or workplace adjustments, loss of earnings, future career disadvantage, travel costs, adapted accommodation and professional financial management. The aim is to secure a settlement that gives the injured person the best possible foundation for their future.
Starting a young adult brain injury claim
If you are unsure whether you have a claim, we can talk through what happened, explain your options and advise on the next steps. There are strict time limits for making personal injury and medical negligence claims, so it is important to get specialist advice as soon as possible.
Why young adult brain injury claims can be complex
The human brain isn’t fully developed until around the age of 25. The transitional life-stage that takes place between the ages of 18 and 25, coincides with the final (and crucial) stage of brain development – maturity of the pre-frontal cortex.
The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for a number of higher cognitive executive functions, such as attention, planning, decision-making and impulse control. Until the pre-frontal cortex matures, the limbic system, which is more primitive and spontaneous, dominates.
At the same time, adolescents often have increased levels of dopamine, sometimes referred to as ‘the happy hormone’. Dopamine is addictive and encourages attraction to exciting, and often risky experiences.
These factors (and others) combined mean that young adults are more likely to engage in risky/reckless behaviour, which puts them at greater risk of injury in certain settings, such as road traffic accidents.
A brain injury can affect every part of a young adult’s life, including cognition, speech, fatigue, mood, mobility, memory, organisation, relationships, education and work. This is why it is so important that a claim is handled by solicitors who understand the long-term impact of brain injury and can gather evidence from the right medical, care, employment and rehabilitation experts.
Talk to us about a young adult brain injury claim
Our specialist solicitors can help you understand whether you may have a claim and what support could be available. We will listen to what has happened, explain the process clearly and work with you at your pace.
Get in touch to speak to our brain injury claims team.
More resources
Are UK universities doing enough to support disabled students?
Studying with a brain injury: What are reasonable adjustments
‘University Students Should Remain Aware of Meningitis Risk’