The term “life-changing injury” is often used to describe a serious injury that has a significant and lasting impact on someone’s everyday life.

Rather than referring to one particular type of injury, it describes the effect an injury has on the person who has suffered it. A life-changing injury may affect someone’s ability to work, live independently, care for themselves or take part in the activities they enjoyed before their accident.

For some people, it can also mean adapting to very different circumstances and requiring ongoing rehabilitation, care or support.

What does “life-changing injury” mean?

There is no single definition that determines whether an injury is life-changing. The nature and severity of the injury are important, but so too is its impact on the individual.

Two people can suffer apparently similar injuries but experience very different long-term consequences.

Factors that may make an injury life-changing include:

  • permanent or long-term disability
  • reduced mobility or independence
  • an inability to return to the same job or career
  • the need for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
  • requiring care or assistance with everyday activities
  • adaptations to the home or specialist equipment
  • significant psychological or cognitive effects.

The impact can extend beyond the injured person, affecting their family, relationships, finances and plans for the future.

What are examples of life-changing injuries?

Life-changing injuries can take many forms. They may include:

Whether an injury is considered life-changing will depend on the individual circumstances and its long-term consequences, rather than simply the name given to the injury.

How can a life-changing injury happen?

A serious injury can happen in many different circumstances.

At Major Trauma Lawyers, we deal with people who have suffered major injuries following incidents including accidents at work and road traffic accidents.

Whatever the cause, the consequences of a serious injury can become apparent very quickly, while in other cases it may take time for doctors and other specialists to understand the person’s likely recovery and longer-term needs.

What support might be needed after a life-changing injury?

Treatment following a major injury is often only the beginning.

Depending on the person’s needs, support may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, specialist equipment, adaptations to their home or help from professional carers.

Rehabilitation can play an important part in helping someone achieve as much independence and recovery as possible.

The Personal Injury Pre-Action Protocol also encourages parties to consider an injured person’s rehabilitation needs as early as possible.

Where another person or organisation may be legally responsible for the injury, a specialist solicitor can explore whether rehabilitation and other support can be accessed while a compensation claim is ongoing.

What can compensation for a life-changing injury cover?

A serious injury claim is not simply about putting a value on the injury itself. Depending on the circumstances of a successful claim, compensation can take account of both the injury itself and its financial consequences, including future needs.

Depending on the individual case, these may include:

  • loss of earnings and future income
  • care and assistance
  • rehabilitation and treatment
  • specialist equipment
  • home adaptations or suitable accommodation
  • travel and transport needs
  • other costs arising from the injury.

Establishing those future needs can be particularly important in a serious injury claim, as the effects of an injury may continue for many years or for the rest of a person’s life.

How can Major Trauma Lawyers help?

If you or a family member has suffered a life-changing injury because of an accident that may have been someone else’s fault, specialist legal advice can help you understand your options.

At Major Trauma Lawyers, we understand that serious injury claims are about much more than compensation. Our focus is on understanding how the injury has affected your life and helping to secure the rehabilitation, support and financial provision you may need for the future.

Contact our team to discuss what has happened and find out how we may be able to help.

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