Sam Hagar –Rehabilitation Following Serious Road Traffic Accident

20/08/2009

Sam Hagar suffered serious head injuries following a road traffic accident in June 2003.

Our short video tells the story of the impact that the accident had on Sam’s life and that of her parents; in particular, Sam talks about the rehabilitation she has received and how this has allowed her to recover some of her independence.

Due to the severity of her injuries, Sam was in a coma for four weeks. Sam’s mum recalls that: “Sam’s response after the four weeks was slow; she had to learn all over again how to eat and how to walk”.

Prior to the accident Sam was at university  studying to become a teacher  and although she attempted to return to university she was unable to continue with her course due to problems with memory, attention and concentration, all of which were caused by the accident.

The importance of specialist treatment/care

Due to the severity of Sam’s injuries she required extensive therapies including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological counselling. Unfortunately, resources via the NHS were limited and they were unable to offer Sam the long term therapies  and help she required.

Sam also needed care support to enable her to regain independence in personal care tasks and allow her to contribute and assist to domestic routines.

Road to Recovery

We obtained large interim payments which allowed Sam to buy her own house, employ a brain injury case manager and care support workers whose job it was to support Sam with independent living.   Money from her interim payments was also used to pay for  extensive private occupational therapy, counselling and physiotherapy.

Sam’s case has now settled and she has  received full compensation for her brain injury.  Sam now has much more independence, she is doing voluntary work in the community and has a future to look forward to.

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