David Robinson, a Solicitor specialising in brain injury compensation claims and military claims at national firm Thompsons Solicitors, comments upon the shortfall in statutory services following discharge.

David comments: “There are a lot of services offered to brain injury survivors in hospital which means they get vital rehabilitation to meet their immediate needs. However, on discharge into the community there is often a shortfall and that is a real issue and a real problem”.

These comments follow the story in the press recently about Oliver Robinson, a soldier who sustained a serious head injury following a car accident near his base in Germany. Mr. Robinson’s discharge from hospital has been delayed because of the failure of his local Council in the UK to get a suitable care package in place in time.

Care package with sufficient carers and support workers

David comments further: “It is essential for there to be a care package with sufficient carers and support workers as may be needed in place following discharge from hospital after a brain injury or head injury. If a compensation claim has been started an interim payment of damages can often be obtained to fund a care package on a private basis, but in cases where fault for the accident may be in dispute, or where no one is to blame, brain injury survivors are at the mercy of local councils. Local councils need to liaise with hospital and family members and unfortunately all too often, through a lack of resources and poor communication the right level of care and support is not immediately identified”.

As well as acting for brain injury survivors, David also specialises in acting for members of our Armed Forces who sustain injuries due to, for example, inadequate work equipment or accidents on military bases. David says that: “At a time of cuts to spending by the Ministry of Defence, the government must continue to ensure that the Armed Force’s culture of safety continues to protect our Armed Forces Personnel from avoidable accidents