Personal injury and its impact on mental health

The mental health impact of an injury can be as wearing as the injury itself, and in some cases even greater. The psychological injury could be caused by the incident or appear later on as the person adapts to their life post-injury.

It’s not just physical

In 2021, a striking report undertaken by the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), the University of Reading and the University of Buckingham examined the mental health of spinal cord injured people and sought to identify gaps in the support available to them and their unpaid carers. Named ‘It’s not just physical’, the report found that a person with a spinal cord injury is three times more likely to consider suicide than a person without injury. Further, almost half of injured people responded to experiencing mental health problems in one or more of the assessed conditions – suicidal thoughts, moderate depression, moderate anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Further, the report highlighted that three quarters of those providing unpaid care felt their own mental health needs had been side-lined.

The striking report has brought attention once again to the mental health needs of people with spinal cord injuries and those providing care to them.

What does this mean in the context of a personal injury claim?

The cost of psychological treatment can be included when bringing a claim for personal injuries following an accident at work, road traffic accident or a slip & trip.

At Hodge Jones & Allen, we consider that the mental health of our clients is just as important as their physical wellbeing. As a result, we take into consideration the mental health support from which our clients and those who care for them would benefit. This might include Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or other treatment as recommended by a medical professional.

Is this only for spinal cord injury cases?

Absolutely not. Any injury could have an impact on someone’s mental health.

How long will I wait for treatment?

When serious injuries are sustained, litigation may take years, so it’s possible that claimants receive compensation a significant time after their injury. At Hodge Jones & Allen however, where it is supported by medical evidence, we make requests for Interim Payments, which can cover treatment for both physical and mental health issues.

We are also strong advocates of early rehabilitation to get the injured person back to where they were before the accident both physically and mentally.

If you’re in need of expert advice relating to personal injury claims, please call our highly experienced Personal Injury team today on 0808 271 9413 to talk through your situation with us. Alternatively, you can request a call back online.

Mental Health Resources 

• If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, you could get in touch with the SIA for support.
• If you are struggling with your mental health, please seek the help of your GP or a medical professional.
• If you would like to get support for your mental health, please contact Mind or Samaritans