Cerebral Palsy Compensation Assessment

The purpose of compensation is to reduce the impact of the injury in as far as money can.

The Courts recognise there is no cure for cerebral palsy and no amount of compensation will change the damage caused by the injury physically, mentally and emotionally.

It is not ever possible to award exactly the right amount as the Court has to give a best guess as to the future. The guess is bound to be wrong, either too little or too much.

To reduce the guesswork we obtain assessments on all aspects of the injured persons needs from the country's leading experts.

You will meet care experts/occupational therapists, paediatric neurologists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, architects, educational psychologists, and technology experts. Each of these experts will consider the consequences of the cerebral palsy and how their specialism can assist in reducing the impact of the injury and assist in meeting the injured person's needs.

Paediatric Neurologist

The paediatric neurologist will consider the injured person's physical limitations, the need for orthopaedic and other medical assessments and possible intervention, as well as the likely impact if any of the cerebral palsy on life expectancy.

Care expert / Occupational Therapist

The care expert will assess the amount of additional care that has been provided as a consequence of the cerebral palsy and how care needs will change and are best met into the future and for life. The care expert looks at the number of carers necessary to ensure the injured person can be properly looked after and the carers do not risk their backs in lifts and have proper training and facilities to provide care. The care expert will also comment on the specialist equipment required by the injured person.

Physiotherapist and speech and language therapist

The physiotherapists and speech and language therapists will consider how their specialisms can help the injured person and the amount and cost of therapy required each year for life.

Physiotherapy is crucial to avoid limb contracture and development of chronic conditions.

Speech and Language therapy includes assistance with eating and drinking as well as development of speech and language.

Architect 

Home extension and adaptation or more likely a home move will be required. The architect will help in identifying a suitable house and in assessing the costs of moving, adapting, maintaining, and running the new home.

Educational Psychologist

The Educational Psychologist will help assess the extent of any cognitive impairment, likely development trajectory, and the best environment in which the injured person's educational and emotional development can be met. Educational Psychologists are able to help in identifying appropriate schools and colleges and in supporting applications for local authority funding where appropriate.

Technology Expert

The Technology expert will advise on the full range of assistive technology, environmental control equipment, lights, computers, communication equipment that may assist the injured person. From simple switches to communication by eye pointing and electronic speech communication devices the technology expert will assist the injured person in overcoming their difficulties in accessing and communicating with the outside world.

Financial Advisers

Financial Advisers assist in making the decision as to allocating compensation between guaranteed payments for life and a capital sum as well as assisting in making investment decisions.

Contact Dabys Solicitors

Freephone Darbys today on 0800 524 4349 to speak to one of our specialist cerebral palsy solicitors about your compensation assessment, or email us and we will be in touch within 24 hours.