Single or jointly instructed rehabilitation teams?
David Withers, of Irwin Mitchell, on which option is best for the injured person.
Organic brain injury or psychological trauma?
In a serious injury case, it is common for there [...]
Capacity for decisions in life and love: part 1
Under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act we all have a right to enjoy a private and family life. The need for relationships and intimacy is an essential part of most of our lives but for individuals living with an acquired brain injury, this can be far more complex, as Georgina Moorhead of Irwin Mitchell explains.
Assessments in the virtual world
Since the start of the Coronavirus crisis in March 2020, [...]
The integration of rehabilitation and medico-legal experts
In a serious injury case, a plethora of expert evidence will be obtained, writes Irwin Mitchell's David Withers...
Guillain-Barré syndrome in litigation
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is often triggered by a viral or bacterial infection such as flu or food poisoning, it causes the nerves in the arms and legs to become inflamed and stop working, usually leading to temporary paralysis which may last from a few days to many months. An estimated 1,300 people (1 to 2 people per 100,000) are affected by GBS annually in the UK. About 80 per cent will make a good recovery, but between 5 and 10 per cent of people will not survive and 10 and 15 per cent may experience long term residual effects ranging from limited mobility or dexterity, to life-long dependency on a wheelchair. One such example is William Marsh, 57, from Glamorgan, Wales, who suffered from symptoms including stomach cramps and diarrhoea towards the end of a week-long all-inclusive holiday to the Dominican Republic in September 2018 which was booked to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary.
Goal setting revisited
Goal setting is always a hot topic in neurorehabilitation – it has, in many ways, become much more than the sum of its parts and, as a concept, it is saturated with literature. There is frequently new research evaluating components of goal setting or describing emerging ideas in the field, and this can be difficult to navigate, even with all the time in the world. As clinicians, however, there is rarely ever any spare time at all. If we listen to what we are told about how important goal setting is for our service users and teams, we need to know exactly what it is, why it matters, and how we can do a good job of it.
Somatic Symptom Disorder explained
Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a psychiatric condition which involves a person experiencing physical symptoms, often chronic pain, which results in major distress and/or problem functioning. The symptoms may or may not be traceable to an organic cause. It is to be strictly distinguished from malingering. SSD sufferers are in no way faking their symptoms and the distress and pain they experience is real and often very profound. I was first instructed on behalf of a client, who later went on to be diagnosed with SSD, in February 2017. My client, Kerry, had initially instructed another firm of solicitors before I took over the case.
Neurobehavioural rehab in aggression management after TBI
Personality changes are sometimes referred to as neurobehavioural disability (ND), especially when associated with social difficulties. The concept of ND involves impairments of numerous aspects of functioning including the abilities to self- monitor and self-regulate, to control frustration, anger and aggression, to tolerate delay in gratification, and to self-motivate. These impairments can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed when facing situations requiring control and management of internal impulses or coping with social situations or tasks.
Apathy – to treat or not to treat
Cognitive problems arising from brain injury are common, frequently persistent, usually disabling and sometimes hidden. They include impairments of attention, memory and executive functioning. The keystones of treatment comprise cognitive rehabilitation together with adaptive processes and technology. In some cases cognitive problems improve following treatment with cognition-enhancing drugs. Treatment response to cognitive enhancing drugs can be very difficult to predict given the multiple ways by which the brain can be damaged and the different levels and places at which damage can occur.
