The significance of insight in acquired brain injury in childhood

I attended a talk last night by Lorna Wales of The Children’s Trust in Tadworth which was organised by the association of personal injury lawyers. Lorna Wales gave a fascinating talk about the significance of insight in acquired brain injury suffered in childhood. Lorna explained that the brain continues to develop until we are in our mid twenties and therefore a brain injury suffered in childhood, to the developing brain, interrupts that development and this is one of the reasons a brain injury in childhood can have devastating consequences. Our sense of self develops beyond childhood and into adulthood. Children do not have the cognitive abilities and life experience that adults have and therefore for children with a brain injury, a one size fits all approach doesn’t work in terms of their rehabilitation. We also had a discussion about whether settlement of personal injury claims involving children with brain injuries should be delayed until the child is at least 20 years old. We agreed that this was a difficult issue and that the solicitors involved should be guided by the medical experts. The Children’s Trust is a national charity working with children who have multiple disabilities and complex health needs, for example children with brain injuries. More information about the Children’s Trust can be found at their website at www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk.

Cheryl is a personal injury solicitor with extensive experience in cases involving life changing injuries including brain injury. Cheryl is passionate about representing children who have suffered brain injuries.