Thread: injury and mental health

Hello everyone,

Im not sure if this is the right place to post or if you can help but im going to try.

In March 2008 i was involved in a motorcycle accident. My bike was deemed a write off and i suffered injury. this is the part i want to discuss The person admitted fault and i was paid out for the bike.

Injury.

I had shoulder, neck and back injuries as well, as scraps and bruises.
the shoulder and neck cleared up in a couple of months but the back injury is ongoing. at the moment i am waiting for an orthopaedic surgeon.

the months after the accident i was bed ridden for a month or two. after which i could only move around bent over with help.
i have had about 19 physiotherapy sessions which have stopped due to not helping.
about 10 acupuncture sessions.
I have had a MRI which show rips and bulging of both discs. major deterioration of something, l2/l3 lumber i think.

my posture is all wrong now.....constantly bent.
the pain has been constant since the accident but it get very bad at times. so bad that it brings me to tears.

Now this is where i need advice.
back in 2000 i became ill. severe anxiety which led on to agoraphobia and depression. attempted suicide mad me seek help.

before this i was very much a peoples person. i was a dancer/choreographer, personal trainer and did some acting, I travelled the world and performed in front of thousands of people. i was seriously into my health and fitness. gym and martial arts at least 8 times a week combined. my body was my temple as they say.

Over the next 5 or so years i received help on and off. (I was seriously let down by the social/mental health services. left to rot for 2 years.

in 2005/6 i decided to get a motor bike. this was a major tool in my recovery. i could finally leave the flat without panicking. i could hide behind my helmet and finally see the world again.
the next few years were good for me. i had my freedom back (well, compared to how i live before) i started to get better and my anxiety and depression were gone. but i still had trouble walking about outside.

i started to go to the gym again and was doing my martial arts. i met a wonderful women and we were planning to wed. even though i wasn't working at the time of my accident i was on the verge of taking employment. i had been offered some very well paid work. some examples...as a choreographer, personal trainer and diving work (im a qualified scuba diver). i was about to do several college courses.

Then this accident.
since this happened i have had a serious relapse. The insurance company sent me for a pshycalogical evaluation who stated that i have relapse to a serious degree and i am now getting help from the mental health team..(who are messing me around again).
im on antidepressants which have changed 3 times.
i have only left the flat to go to doctors and specialists which is a major ordeal for me.
i have no bike as i used the payout to pay for the finance. so the tool that helped me beat this illness before is gone with no way to get another.
MY partner has left me as she just couldn't cope. i don't blame her. constantly depressed, cant leave the flat, intimately i was disabled. just, couldn't show her the affection she deserved.
she is still their for me though.

This time i have set myself a time line. if i don't beat this illness by then ... welll....whats the point in living. No one should have to live the way i am.

questions

! will my past illness effect my compensation. will it go against me?
2, what will the insurance deem worse, the back injury or my psychological damage.
3, will the insurance company take into account the prospect of work even though i wasn't employed at the time of the accident.
4, What can i expect to receive

Thank you so much for reading this very long post. i apologise.

Kindest Regards

Hi Kempo,

sorry to hear about all your problems.

In response to your questions:

1) The previous conditions may affect the claim- the fact the condition was not present prior to this accident, but has now arisen again, will be reviewed by the solicitors/insurers.

2) Neither injury is deemed worse, each injury is assessed individually and compensation awarded as such.

3) If you can prove you were due to start work, and the earnings you would have received, you are able to claim loss of earnings. You have a right to be compensated for loss as a result of the accident, had the accident not occurred, you would have been in receipt of wages.

4) I do not work in Injury Claims, and although I have basic knowledge of the area I dont have a clue on this one! Sorry!

and finally, there is no need to apologise to anyone reading the post, this is a forum for advice/support is it not?

Also, you may want to speak to the Head of the local mental health trust and ask them to investigate the issues you have had, now on 2 occqasions with their team.

All the Best.