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
Contact our personal injury team
To find out more about our expert personal injury team and for further information about all aspects of our comprehensive personal injury service, contact one of our specialists directly using the contact details below.
Client Testimonials
I have worked with Paul for several years now on various challenging cases. Paul has a very honest and open approach with the people he represents, his communication skills and ability to share complex information at a level of understanding for his clients is second to none. Paul has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by somebody who has acquired a brain injury and it is this understanding that ensures clients anxiety levels and concerns are kept at the lowest level possible at all times. Paul is realistic with his expectations and has had a high level of success with regard to achieving the right level of settlement to ensure his clients get the support they need for the rest of their lives.
Karl Thompson. Managing Director, Thompson Holistic Care Services (THCS)
Paul Fretwell
“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 QC
Paul Fretwell
I 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.
VG
Paul Fretwell
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for guiding and supporting my friends through to this conclusion over the last 3 years. The early days were incredibly tough for them as you know and your calm reassuring presence has been one of the main reasons they were able to cope, especially back then. You’ll have learnt that R is a very tough and determined character, but I know they’d have struggled without your help.
Living abroad and unable to help them as much as I would have liked, it’s been so reassuring to continually hear how confident they’ve been in your ability to resolve this for them, right from the word go. I know I was very happy in my own mind that they’d got the right person on their side, after I spoke to you on the phone.
So, thank you again for all the time and effort you’ve put into getting them this result… for always being available to speak to them, even when you were supposed to be on holiday, for steering them through the hardest times and the quagmire of the courts. You’ve made such a difference for them and seeing R getting on with life with such a positive attitude that I’m not sure I would have been able to replicate, had it happened to me; is extremely satisfying as well as inspirational.
Rich J
Paul Fretwell
I suffered a complex ankle injury in a road traffic accident in 2015, Paul Fretwell and the team at George Ide stepped in to manage my claim and helped me through a very challenging period in my life. The team’s experience with this type of injury, their considered approach and meticulous attention to detail enabled them to flag up any potential issues early on, and ensured there were no surprises along the way. Paul was able to see beyond the conventional claim headings, and took the time to understand the full impact of the injury, on my life and hobbies, and was keen to ensure they were all suitably reflected within the claim. Three years on, we went into a Joint Settlement Meeting with a robust and well prepared case, allowing us to secure a claim that significantly exceeded our expectations. I would not have a moment’s hesitation in recommending him to anyone in a similar situation.
RS
Paul Fretwell
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.
We hope that you can convey our thanks to them on our behalf. The background people are often overlooked, but we feel that we had the best team available playing for us on all levels.
Paul Fretwell
We are so grateful for all your hard work, and the passion with which you fought for him…it has given him a sense of self-worth that someone in your professional position can see what kind of man he is and what he should be awarded. Thank you so much, you have restored our faith in humanity, and we would have no reservations about recommending you to anyone in the future!
Paul Fretwell
“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 L
Paul Fretwell
Following 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
Paul Fretwell
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.
Paul Fretwell
My daughter and I are extremely lucky to be alive after an awful road traffic accident on the M1 motorway 3 years ago. I had some severe injuries and fortunately I’ve recovered very well (although not without some life altering effects). My good fortune continued when I engaged George Ide solicitors to help with a personal injury claim a few weeks after I was released from hospital after almost 2 months.My dealings with the company have been outstanding in terms of professionalism, thoroughness and sensitivity. I feel that partner Paul Fretwell and his very capable team have worked extremely hard on my case. They achieved a successful and stress-free outcome for which I’m very grateful. I am most appreciative of the kindness and support shown to me throughout the time Paul and his colleagues advised, guided and helped me through what could have been a much more traumatic process without them. I would not hesitate in recommending George Ide solicitors to anyone who needs assistance with a personal injury claim. Paul Fretwell in particular is someone I have great confidence in and his diligence is exemplary. Many thanks once again Paul!
Paul Fretwell
Jasmine 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 Gerken
Paul Fretwell
Contact Our Friendly Legal Experts Today
For general enquiries or to discuss more specific needs in personal or commercial law please get in touch with a friendly member of our team today.
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Author: Paul Lewis
Last updated: 12th June, 2023
