Woman Getting Life Back on Track Aims To Inspire Others By Showing How Much Rehabilitation Helped Her

A ‘remarkable’ woman who medics thought was unlikely to survive the horrific head injuries she suffered after being hit by a bus, has spoken of her relief today after expert injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell secured her a lifetime rehabilitation and care package.

Jaxx Cave needed part of her shattered skull removing following the accident in May 2010 which happened after she left her work for the day as a drug and alcohol commissioner for young people in Croydon.

After spending 10 months in the Royal London Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham before being transferred to a rehabilitation unit, Jaxx surpassed all expectations – learning to walk, talk and feed herself again with the help of a specialist rehabilitation programme implemented by her serious injury lawyers.

The seven-figure settlement secured by her legal team at Irwin Mitchell from the bus company’s insurers, following a partial admission of liability, will fund Jaxx’s continued rehabilitation and therapies and cover her loss of earnings as her injuries mean she can no longer work in paid employment.

Determined not to let her injuries rule her life, Jaxx decided to make positives come out of her situation and is currently training for this year’s London Marathon where she hopes to raise £2,000 for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) in Putney – where she underwent rehabilitation for six months.

The 41-year-old has also starred in an online video mini-series called ‘Road to Recovery’ to inspire other brain injury victims. Created by the specialist serious injury team at law firm Irwin Mitchell, the ‘fly on the wall’ factual mini-series features Jaxx’s battle to get her life back on track and the ongoing recovery process she is going through.

Last year Irwin Mitchell published an extensive research report into NHS rehabilitation across the UK and found that if services were improved, the NHS could save £120m on top of the savings to Government benefits, as people who undergo specialist rehabilitation from their injuries are much less likely to be reliant on state benefits.

Sarah Griggs, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s London office is representing Jaxx.

Expert Opinion

We are delighted for Jaxx that the settlement has been agreed giving her peace of mind that she can continue to access vital rehabilitation services, such as speech and occupational therapies, to aid her recovery and help her to live as independently as possible.

“The recovery she has made is testament to the impact of early rehabilitation which can make a huge difference to head injury victims and shows that when services are readily available it truly helps people to get the most out of life.

“Jaxx is a truly remarkable woman whose positive attitude has already inspired many others who have suffered brain injuries and will no doubt continue to inspire many more.

“Jaxx’s life won’t ever go back to how it was before the accident, but she has found a new passion for helping people and realised that she can use what happened to her and her experiences since to encourage others.”
Sarah Griggs - Partner

Jaxx, who now lives in Bath, added: “I am relieved that the legal action has ended and to know that I can continue to improve my recovery by accessing specialist rehabilitation services which have helped me get this far.

“Doctors originally said I wouldn’t survive my injuries but I have been determined to get my life back on track and live as independently as possible. No one can turn the clock back and stop the accident from happening but what we can do is give 100 per cent in our battle to recover.

“The RHN was instrumental in getting me to think positively and engage with rehabilitation services, which is why I want to give something back to them by running the London Marathon.

“I can clearly remember what it feels like at rock bottom and how easy it is to think ‘what’s the point’, but I hope by my fundraising and taking part in the filmed mini-series I can inspire others to appreciate there is still so much to live for.”

The Road to Recovery video series can be viewed here http://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/personal-injury-compensation/rehabilitation/the-road-to-recovery

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise relating to head injury claims.