An acquired brain injury (ABI) is a general term used to describe damage to the brain caused by events that took place after birth.
Someone is said to have an ABI if their mental functioning has been affected as a result of accidental or criminal injury, substance abuse, exposure to poisons or environmental toxins, or medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, stroke or meningitis, to name just some of the possible causes.
When someone suffers brain damage, the results can be devastating for them and their family. When the injury may have been caused by someone else’s negligence, the injured person needs specialist advice about bringing a claim for damages.
Our team
Our specialist team at Henmans has extensive experience of the whole range of cases, from maximum severity brain injuries where round the clock care is required to cases where the effects of brain injury are more subtle. Whether the brain damage is relatively minor or catastrophic, we understand the difficulties that confront the injured person and those who care for them. We can call on a range of experts to advise on what the injured person needs in order to provide for their future. When appropriate, our private client team can advise and assist with the management of compensation payments, in order to safeguard the funds for the longer term (link)
Some examples of our cases are:
- B v A (brain injury after road traffic accident)
- DK v Oxford Radcliffe NHS Hospitals Trust (brain damage following surgery)
- brain damage following a cardiac arrest caused by negligent post-operative care
- brain damage due to failure to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
We have also advised on:
- catastrophic brain injury following brain surgery
- brain damage due to negligent neonatal care
- brain damage due to anaesthetic negligence
If your ABI was the result of an accident or industrial injury, please contact Julie Carlisle, personal injury. If you think it may have been the result of negligent medical treatment, please contact Cecily Cameron, head of clinical negligence.
Further information
If you or someone you know has suffered from an acquired brain injury, you may also find the following organisations useful: