What is the cost of not having an expert clinical neuropsychologist following a mild head injury, asks Linda Monaci
The cost associated with specialist assessments needs to be proportional to the value of the claim. This in principle seems a sensible and fair concept; the difficulty is that brain injuries and their effects may not be as apparent as visible injuries, such as orthopaedic injuries. Paradoxically, the same expert assessments that would be likely to increase the value of the claim, which would then allow for specialist assessments to take place, are not allowed in small and fast track claims. Experts are often instructed when a significant brain injury has been sustained, but what about those cases where any loss of consciousness is minimal and brain injury is not even mentioned to the injured party during their NHS treatment?
A road traffic accident or other traumatic event which involves a head injury may cause a brain injury, which can cause cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms. The severity of the brain injury is usually graded as mild, moderate or severe and this can help provide
