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
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
I 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 Richardson
Paul Fretwell/Karen Jenkins
“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
How 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
Sue
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.
The background people are often overlooked but we feel that we had the best team 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
I just wanted to say thank you again for all your efforts on my behalf, your resilience has been outstanding! Thanks to you, and the funds you secured, the process with Dorset has started already, and my new limb should be in my possession on October 4th (within a fortnight!) with the Echelon VT foot. This foot has a greater ankle bend which should help with the hill walking. I am also in much greater comfort in travelling in more testing conditions (when weather is wet especially), with the recent replacement of the 4wd car. This car will be especially useful when we intend to holiday in France with our friends during the winter months. Obviously my thanks are also extended to Lizzy and Karen for their efforts also! With very best wishes and thanks for your ongoing support,
Rusty Brown
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
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
George Ide looked after my claim from accident to the case conclusion, they took care of everything on route which concluded in a very substantial out of court settlement. The settlement enabled the family not to worry about future employment problems, and gives everyone piece of mind.
George Ide are a very professional company, and I would always recommend them to other people in the same situation.
M
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
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.
Latest News
21st November 2024
What is a Personal Injury Trust?
13th November 2024
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Settle?
1st November 2024
All You Need to Know About LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney)
30th October 2024
Common Personal Injury Claim Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
27th June 2024
Witnessing Traumatic Events: Secondary Victims
Our Offices
Author: Paul Lewis
Last updated: 12th June, 2023
