How to Support Someone After a Personal Injury Accident

While the personal injury market in the UK grew by 3.1% to £3.98 billion in 2019, this was followed by a decline of 1.5% to £3.92 billion through 2020.

Regardless, there can be no doubt that this industry continues to represent big business in the UK, while the market is also underpinned by a significant human cost given the impact of personal injuries and accidents that occur in the workplace.

But how can you support a friend or loved one after they’ve suffered a personal injury? Here are a few points to keep in mind:

#1. Seek Out Guidance and Help

It can be hard for victims to think clearly in the wake of an accident or personal injury, especially if they’re suddenly unable to work and required to make a personal injury claim.

With this in mind, you may need to provide practical support and ensure that your loved one receives the professional advice and guidance that they need.

For example, you could liaise with an employer on their behalf to organise sick pay. What’s more, you may also initiate contact between your loved one and a specialist personal injury solicitor, helping them to get to grips with what can be a complex and often overwhelming claims process.

This will require patience and good time management on your behalf, while it’s important to understand precisely what your loved one wants and needs.

#2. Provide Emotional Support

While practical guidance is key and extremely helpful, it’s also important to provide emotional support to the person affected in the wake of their accident or injury.

Quite aside from the physical impact of the incident, an injury and its consequences can also cause significant emotional distress. From the isolation and potential depression caused by being laid off from work to the impact that reduced earnings have on financial wellbeing, victims can require a great deal of support from those around them.

Certainly, they’ll want to rely on someone close to them to provide emotional support, so that they can feel free to open up and talk freely about their deepest, darkest feelings.

#3. Consider the Importance of Logistical Support

On a fundamental level, you’ll also need to consider precisely how an injury impacts a person’s everyday life.

For example, let’s say that the injury has restricted your loved one’s mobility and left them unable to use one or more of their limbs. 

In this case, you may be required to provide everyday logistical support in and outside of the home, from cooking and cleaning for them, taking them to appointments and collecting groceries.

It’s important not to overlook this type of support, which can prove critical in the immediate aftermath of an incident and personal injury.