What is catastrophic injury?
Catastrophic injury is a term used by insurance companies and solicitors when referring to the most serious types of personal injury such as brain injuries, spinal injuries and amputations, all of which are likely to have lifelong traumatic impact and require victims to undergo long-term specialist treatment, rehabilitation, care, and support.
And it is precisely because catastrophic injuries can have such devastating impacts including permanent disability, reduced capacity, a need for 24/7 specialist medical care and reduced life expectancy that it is essential for victims to receive the full amount of compensation they deserve.
What can you expect from us as your lawyers for catastrophic personal injury?
Our dedicated personal injury team is widely recognised as one of the UK’s best, so you can expect excellence in all the legal services we offer. Our experienced lawyers are approachable, knowledgeable and sensitive and, at each stage of the claims process, we will communicate with you in plain English so you need never feel in the dark about what is happening in your case.
Because we are driven by a determination to achieve the best possible outcome for all our clients, we take time to get to know you and your family so that we can fully understand your situation and build an individual claim that meets your specific needs.
We know that achieving immediate care for accident victims can be of huge benefit to their overall recovery, so you can expect us to make this a core priority in your case. We have access to a panel of independent medical professionals who will assess and manage your healthcare and rehabilitation needs as a catastrophic injury victim – our team will use their reports to negotiate the financial compensation you deserve and secure payment of the funds you need on an appropriate timescale.
How else can we help?
We can help to arrange funding for a wide variety of needs including private treatment, physiotherapy and gym membership, and we can also provide support for loved ones and dependents who may be suffering as a result of your absence from the family home.
We have access to a benefits specialist who can advise on the full range of state benefits to which you may be entitled and, when the time comes to contemplate returning to work, we can help with work-related issues such as negotiating a payment to cover your retraining costs or funding your vocational rehabilitation.
And, as a valued client of our full-service law firm, you will have access to a comprehensive range of legal expertise to help you and your family face the future with confidence. Our investment and tax planning professionals are qualified to offer dependable financial advice to ensure your compensation funds are invested well and managed efficiently; our trusts team can advise you on setting up a personal injury trust; our wills and probate team can help you make sure your will is up-to-date and draft lasting powers of attorney to give you added peace of mind; if necessary, our Court of Protection and deputyship lawyers can provide specialist advice and support in matters involving a loss of mental capacity.
Getting started
On our website you will find more information about making a personal injury claim with George Ide for cycling accidents, car or lorry accidents, motorbike accidents, accidents at work and accidents involving children.
And, because we believe in forging strong personal relationships with all our clients, contacting us in person is probably the best way to find out if we are the right law firm for you. You can reach us by clicking here, by emailing one of the team directly, or by telephoning 01243 876668 in confidence.
We take pride in the excellence of our second-to-none service and, once instructed to act on your behalf, we will step in immediately to protect your best interests and provide you and your family with essential top-quality advice and support to set you on your personal road to recovery.
Contact us to find out more about our legal services for catastrophic injury, or to speak to one of our highly-respected personal injury solicitors. You can reach us by clicking on the link, by calling 01243 786668, by emailing our specialists directly, or by writing in confidence to: info@georgeide.co.uk.
George Ide LLP. We’re on your side
Client Testimonials
We thought that we needed to write to you to express our deepest thanks for the way that you personally and all of the staff involved with you carried out the whole case from beginning to end.
The background people are often overlooked but we feel that we had the best team playing for us on all levels.
I have worked with George Ide LLP for many years, initially as a support worker but now as a Registered Manager. I have found their brain injury
team, more specifically Paul Fretwell, to be highly efficient, supportive and effective when working alongside me with a very challenging group of clients. Paul and the team at George Ide LLP have secured settlements ranging from £1-6 million and beyond, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for life for the clients and their families.
I have worked closely over many years with Ursula Watt and Stephen Shine in George Ide LLP’s Court of Protection team. I am always impressed by how adaptable and attentive they are in looking after their brain-injured clients who often display challenging behaviour. They are able to communicate in a way our clients understand and work in a very person centered way. They are firm but fair and always have the clients’ best interests at heart. Karl Thompson. Managing Director, THCS Ltd
See ReviewFrom the moment I contacted you the service has been amazing. You responded to my first enquiry over a bank holiday weekend and followed it up in detail on the Tuesday. That personal touch emphasised that the service was above and beyond, and has continued to be so ever since. That call literally saved my life in more ways than I can mention.
Rusty Brown“There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to you, and all the other members of the team who supported you, for what you have achieved for [my daughter]. You should all be so proud of what you have done and Thank You from the bottom of my heart.”
Mrs LI would like to say a huge thank you to Paul (with the fantastic assistance of Karen and Lizzy especially) for the support and kindness throughout my claim as well as the superb outcome that he obtained for me.
I am in no doubt that I would never have achieved the result without the dedication, experience and can do attitude of Paul and the team. Their caring attitude, sensitivity and professionalism shined throughout the entire process. Despite the other side initially denying liability, Paul fought tirelessly on my behalf, to ensure they provided what they should do, thus allowing me to get back to as near a normal life as quickly and safely as possible. Right from the first point of contact (and I first met Paul from my hospital bed), the service was outstanding and second to none, the communication was excellent, and I was never in doubt as to what was happening, and why. I truly believe my subsequent recovery is down to the fact that I was guided so well by Paul and his team, and him obtaining the opinions of the experts he did.
The support was amazing, as was the end result, which has ensured I am able to continue to press on with my every day life without worry of what lies ahead, despite the disability I now have. I really cannot recommend Paul and is team enough, I would suggest to anyone that is in need of a personal injury solicitor to give Paul a call, it really would make all the difference.
Rusty Brown.Paul Fretwell has been our solicitor now for 8.5 years and has been dealing with the case for AB (our son) who sustained a head injury in 2012 due to a car accident.
Over the years we have come to rely on Paul’s expert opinion and knowledge of brain injuries to help us understand A’s behaviours and needs.
Paul has been a massive support to us and our whole family since A sustained life changing injuries, as you can imagine, it has been an uphill battle for us and we had no idea or understanding of the challenges to come or how to even start to put in place all the support A needed and still needs today.
A now has his Support Worker, D that Paul put in place, which to be honest, has been a godsend to the family and A. A has a great relationship with D, and we will be eternally grateful. D helps A with day to day challenges that most people take for granted and A now feels D is a friend as well as his mentor and “life coach”. A also has an OT that visits his home to check he is doing ok and guide him in day to day tasks etc.
Paul has always been a phone call away at any time, he is very patient and understanding, his friendly approach to the whole family means we feel we can be very open and frank with him. Although all the legal “jargon” is very hard for us to understand, Paul is and has always been massive support, he explains in detail every word and meaning and why certain steps need to be taken to help A’s case.
We will always be eternally grateful to Paul and George Ide Solicitors.
See ReviewI was involved in a traffic accident as a pedestrian, being hit by a car. My family were recommended to George Ide regarding personal injury, and what a great choice this turned out to be. Words can’t express how thankful and grateful I am for the service and support that I received from everyone at George Ide. My case was handled by Paul Fretwell with the help of Karen Jenkins, and the genuine kindness, care, and professionalism that they provided throughout my claim from start to finish was second to none. The experience of Paul and his team really shone through, and this was obvious from the very start when I first met Paul for an initial chat at home. The thoroughness and dedication to getting me the best possible outcome was clear throughout. Paul fought to the nail making sure that no stone was unturned, this allowing me to feel less anxious and to be able to concentrate on getting physically and mentally better. For anyone that goes through a traumatic event, the support from the people around you is key, Paul and his team were no exception to this, and I felt that I had a true friend and ally on my side. George Ide and Paul should be the first port of call to someone in need of a personal injury solicitor, I can’t recommend them enough!
Alex RichardsonHow can I just say thank you, if I say it a hundred times it wouldn’t be enough. What you have achieved is unbelievable, I never imagined the compensation would amount to anything like that, if you recall, I once asked you if I might get another £27.000 making a grand total of £100.000, than I truly thought I could possibly get between £150.000 and £200.000 and I’d have been happy, so you can imagine how shocked and thrilled I was when the figure was doubled.
When I left your offices I was almost in tears, it didn’t feel right saying goodbye, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend, which I feel you’ve been. I don’t know how I’d have got through the last couple of years without your input, I didn’t even know I was entitled to compensation until you told me, which also means no rehab either. I can’t begin to imagine the mess I’d be in now.
I will be eternally grateful Paul for all you have done.
Best wishes
SueFollowing a traumatic motorcycle accident, I found myself in unfamiliar territory and in the need of a personal injury lawyer. From my first phone call to George Ides, I was in no doubt that they would be best team to handle my case, guiding me not only through the legal but also the rehabilitation process, I was always in good hands. Paul is a consummate professional, incredibly thoughtful and compassionate, but at the same time ensuring that I had the best advice and in a timely manner, a heart felt thank you, Paul.
Kate Buttriss“In an age of ever larger firms of solicitors, George Ide LLP stands out as a beacon of truly personal service against the backdrop of warm and welcoming staff. Not only does Paul Fretwell possess real expertise in high value personal injury claims, he brings charm and real commitment to everything he does. No Claimant could be other than impressed by his willingness to go that extra yard in their cause. The legal industry would be a better place if there were more like both the firm and Paul Fretwell.”
Will Waldron QCJasmine has told me that she has now settled and that she can move on with her life.
I would just like to write a brief note of genuine heartfelt thanks from all of us involved. Your company was recommended by a good family friend who works in the BH1 postcode area, at a time when most of us were either in shock or at a loss about how to proceed.
From our very first communication, and the day of your visit to Jasmine’s Mum’s house, you have been thoroughly professional whilst being incredibly caring. You personally, no doubt with the assistance of your team, have allowed Jasmine the opportunity to recover at her own speed, with the assistance of the full spectrum of the medical world, to a point where I honestly believe that she is in a better state mentally and confidence-wise than she was even before the accident.
I would have no hesitation in recommending your Company to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation.
It is common for people who are expert in their field to state that “I was only doing my job” – well, in this case, I am very glad that it was you who handled Jasmine’s case.
With many Kind Regards
John & Paula GerkenI don’t have enough words to describe how helpful, professional and supportive you have been, at a very stressful time for me. I feel really lucky to have had you as my solicitor. Your service was superb; it just could not have been better.
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