Whiplash Claim Solicitors on the Isle of Wight

Whiplash can be extremely painful and debilitating. It occurs when the neck is suddenly forced backwards and then forwards.

This is more often than not the result of a car accident but it can happen playing sports or just going about one’s daily routine. Sometimes it’s not only the neck that’s affected but other parts of the spine, the upper body and the shoulders.

Making a claim

After suffering a whiplash injury you should see your GP as soon as possible. This fulfils two functions:

- First and foremost, you can then be referred for treatment or further medical investigation.

- Secondly, visiting your GP gives more credence to your claim and it shows you taking matters in hand to aid your recovery. It also provides independent evidence of your injuries.

Treatment for whiplash injuries normally entails physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment and/or osteopathy. Where the injury is more serious, steroid injections or surgery may be necessary. Given your treatment is effective, all treatment costs can be included in your claim.

To support your claim for compensation, Glanvilles Damant will instruct a medical expert to provide clinical evidence in a report.

This report may also suggest treatments or further investigations which we will arrange for you. In the more minor cases, this report will usually be drawn up by a GP.

Where the injury is more serious or long-term, an orthopaedic surgeon could well become involved in producing not one but a series of reports before the claim can be settled.

How long will my claim take?

Because soft tissue injuries can cause permanent damage, medical experts will usually allow two years or more to go by before ruling out the prospect of any further recovery.

Another delaying factor could be a pre-existing condition. Degenerative changes in the back and neck occur with age. An accident can speed up these natural changes so the expert will need to see medical notes and records to establish how extensive the existing condition is.

This process takes time and can delay the progress of the claim. Even minor whiplash injuries take a long time to resolve. However, you can be sure that the Glanvilles Damant Personal Injury Team will do their utmost to speed matters as much as possible. Call or email us today.