Day One Trauma Support

Leigh Day and Day One partnership

Leigh Day is proud to be one of only three law firms selected by Day One Trauma Support to provide legal advice to victims of major trauma. Our lawyers are experts in all areas of personal injury law, and work with clients to support them at every step of the way during their recovery to secure compensation.

Serious and fatal accidents can happen in a range of settings, both at work and in public places. Common scenarios include: 

• Road traffic collisions 
• Extreme sports injury 
• Falls from a building or bridge 
• Victim of a natural or artificial disaster 
• Fatal accidents at work  

If you’ve suffered a serious accident, or lost a loved one in a fatal accident, it can be an incredibly traumatic experience for all those involved. 

With any injury suffered or death due to negligence, you may be owed compensation from those responsible to help support rehabilitation and offer some sense of justice. 

With a serious accident, the victim who suffered the injuries will likely make a claim (when they are of sound body and mind to do so). Where the victim lacks the mental capacity to bring the claim, a close family member or friend may be appointed their litigation friend. 

With a fatal accident claim, the claim will be made by the executor or administrator of the estate. 

Our expert team of major trauma solicitors provide a human touch when dealing with such sensitive cases. 

We understand the difficulties you face, coping with grief and financial worries, and support you through these hard times. 

Ready to talk? Contact our team of expert major trauma lawyers to discuss your claim. Call 0800 689 5809 today or fill in our short form. 

Causes of serious or fatal accidents 

Accidents can happen almost anywhere due to a range of factors. Often, the injury or death will be due to negligence on the part of an individual or organisation. This could include a lapse in health and safety standards, both for fatal accidents at work and in public places.  

Fatal claims can also be attributed to the direct action of an individual or group. For example, in the event of a terrorist attack that sadly claims the life of your loved one. 

Main causes of serious or fatal accidents 

Some of the main causes that lead to fatal or serious accident claims include: 

Cycling 

Cycle crashes can cause serious long-term brain and spinal injuries, broken collar bones and death, whether another cyclist or vehicle is involved in the accident or not. 

Disasters 

Terrorist attacks, train crashes, explosions and building fires are all disasters which result in life changing injuries for many survivors. Natural disasters such as flooding, fires and hurricanes can have a similar effect. 

Travel and traffic 

Road traffic collisions can lead to serious injuries and death.  Whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian or other road user, if the accident was not your fault you may be entitled to compensation. 

Accidents at work 

A lack of safety equipment, training and planning can cause accidents in the workplace. Construction sites, factories and farms where heavy machinery is present are common places for serious accidents. 

Types of serious injuries 

Thankfully, not all serious accidents result in a fatality. However, those involved can still suffer traumatic injuries that significantly affect their life and those of their loved ones. 

When the accident was caused by negligence on behalf of another individual or group, you may have a claim if you or a loved one has experienced any of the following serious injuries. 

Serious injuries you can claim for 

Amputation 

Losing a limb is one of the hardest injuries to learn to live with, whether it’s the result of a car crash or accident at work. It can affect your career, where you live, financial future and daily life. 

Brain injury 

Severe head and brain injuries may require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. In some cases, they can leave loved ones without capacity, requiring a litigation friend to pursue a claim. 

Spinal injuries 

Serious falls, road traffic collisions and more can lead to spinal injuries. These may affect movement and even cause paralysis. 

What is required to support a serious injury claim?

You may need to gather evidence to support your claim. This can be to prove the accident happened, it caused any injuries or death, was due to negligence (where relevant), and to support any costs being claimed.

Evidence can include:

• Witness statements, CCTV or camera phone footage from scene of the accident
• Police reports and personal testimonies to highlight instances of negligence
• Medical records, documents and statements that detail the serious injuries and/or cause of death
• Financial records and documents that show loss of earnings and costs incurred due to the accident

For more information about bringing a claim following a fatality, please refer to our Fatal and serious accident FAQs. 

Fatal or serious accident compensation

Every case is different, which means the amount of compensation you could receive will vary depending on its nature. The amount awarded aims to help your rehabilitation and/or cover the costs incurred by a loved one’s death.

In serious injury claims, compensation can be recovered for losses including:

• Pain and suffering – for the injuries sustained, the treatment required and the long-term problems these will cause
• Loss of earnings – whether the individual is unable to return to work, or to the same work, due to serious injury.
• Rehabilitation costs – Physical and psychological therapies, treatments and support required due to injury.
• Aids, equipment, medication costs – for items required due to the injury and for rehabilitation
• Care and assistance – for the support provided by family and friends
• Travel expenses – to and from medical appointments related to injuries sustained and rehabilitation.

For information about compensation in fatal cases, please see our fatal or serious accident claims page.