Here at Richardsons we are keen to stay up to date with the legal world in terms of how it affects how we can best guide our incoming and existing Service Users. Last month we invited the lovely Nicola Heales, solicitor and Head of Department (Head and Brain Injuries) at to come and meet the RPC Admissions and Referrals team (Sian, Bill, Diane and Louise) and give them some up-to-date insights into her field of experience. We also wanted the opportunity to fill her in on what we provide and the depth of our person-centred care and rehabilitation.

Nicola is a very experienced personal injury solicitor who has specialised in severe catastrophic injury claims acting for both children and adults. She has a particular interest in acquired brain injury, rehabilitation and “capacity” and is a firm believer that the early introduction of rehabilitation assists all parties to bring claims to a satisfactory resolution. Nicola adopts a multi-disciplinary approach (much like we do) – she ensures that she liaises with the medical team, case managers and the Court of Protection where necessary.

Accidents causing injury to the head can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life and the lives of their families. For this reason highly specialist solicitors who understand the needs, rights and wishes of the injured person and how their accident will affect their present and future social, employment and financial circumstances are needed. It is a complicated process and highly specialised experts are consulted in order that the injured person will receive the most compensation for the things they need. The kinds of specialised needs that would have to be provided for are things like care; therapy; accommodation; technology and aids; equipment and adaptations.

She spoke to our team about personal injury and the litigation process in rehabilitation and where rehabilitation fits. Nicola explained the elements that made up a personal injury claim, how the process works and the role of the professionals involved. This has really helped the Admissions and Referrals team better understand where we fit into the bigger picture of the experience of the injured person and the vital role we play as part of a longer term resolution of the person’s situation and their injuries.

We extend a big thank you to Nicola for her time and look forward to staying in touch – we have greatly appreciated the effort and time she gave us in sharing her knowledge and expertise with us.

If you would like to contact Nicola – you can connect with her via LinkedIn or call her Banbury (UK) office on + 44 (0) 1295 270 999. Brethertons is on Twitter – you can follow them here. You can also find interesting and useful insights on Brethertons’ other Twitter pages, why not follow @neurolawyer to see what Nicola and her colleagues are talking about? Visit the team pages on the Bretherton’s site for more information on the Head and Brain injury legal process

Please note that Richardson Partnership for Care are pleased to have great working relationships with many legal professionals and are happy to raise awareness for the great work that they do. Brethertons are one of many firms we work closely with during the process of admission and referral of new Service Users.