Serious Injury Lawyers Support Headway’s Action For Brain Injury Week

By Suzanne Rutter

A 21-year-old girl who used to love going out with friends before she suffered a serious brain injury in a road traffic collision hopes her recovery battle will inspire other people going through similar ordeals as the country marks Headway’s Action For Brain Injury Week.

Jade Denton, from Gleadless in Sheffield, was a front seat passenger when the car she was travelling in lost control, spinning and colliding with an oncoming vehicle on Gleadless Road on 22 September 2011.

The passenger side where Jade was sitting took the brunt of the collision and she suffered a severe brain injury, fractures to her ribs, spine, collarbone, and pelvis as well as a ruptured spleen and broken teeth.

Jade underwent emergency surgery at the city’s Northern General Hospital followed by two-months of inpatient rehabilitation including speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, before she was finally allowed home on 21 November 2011.

Specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell issued court proceedings against the drivers’ insurer, securing a substantial interim payment so that Jade could access a full private rehabilitation and care package. Her lawyers are continuing to help her in her battle for justice as she continues her rehabilitation.

Jade hopes her battle to get her life back on track will help raise awareness of Headway’s Action For Brain Injury Week, which takes place between 13 and 19 May, and will help other people suffering similar ordeals come to terms with their injuries.

Stacy Gee, a serious injury expert from Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office who is representing Jade, said: “The past two years have been incredibly challenging for Jade who had to come to terms with the terribly debilitating injuries she sustained in the crash. 

“She often feels frustrated about the impact the crash has had on her life but the way she has tackled her recovery and rehabilitation has been really inspiring. It’s a credit to her strength and determination that she has fought back from such a terrible brain injury to the point where she’s taking part in Zumba classes, is regaining some independence and has even started to return to work with the support of her therapists.

“We know from working with clients like Jade and their families whose lives have been affected by brain injury how important it is to have access to the best possible advice, care, rehabilitation and specialist support to help them overcome their injuries.

“That’s why we have always been a champion of charities such as Headway who help raise awareness about how the dramatic and life-changing impact brain injuries can have on people’s lives.”

The defendant’s insurers have now admitted responsibility for Jade’s injuries in full and Irwin Mitchell is working with experts to assess Jade’s future needs in terms of treatment and rehabilitation to help provide her with the best possible recovery and independent life.

Jade, who had been working as a catering assistant at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield at the time of the collision, says the next step in her recovery will be gradually returning to work and taking part in activities such as attending the gym to help rebuild her independence and confidence.

She said: “The crash changed my life forever and it’s been a really frustrating process trying to get back on track.

“I have problems with my memory and speech but the rehabilitation programme has been fantastic and I’ve made great progress. My rehabilitation assistant is great and helps me do things such as managing my budget and going to exercise classes which would be very difficult on my own. The occupational therapy I have been getting for the past nine months has also really helped me make progress too, including starting back at work, which was very important to me.

“I hope my experience shows other people who are either going through something similar themselves, or who has a friend or relative who has suffered a brain injury, that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“Headway’s Action for Brain Injury Week is so important because it shows what people like me are going through and how crucial it is to get quick access to the right rehabilitation, support services and charities.”

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious head or brain injury as the result of an accident, our specialist serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Brain & Head Injury Compensation Claims page for more information.