A deeply moving new short film lays bare the life-changing impact that the law on personal injury compensation can have for families whose lives are torn apart by negligence.
Kayleigh and her 11-year-old son Charlie, who suffered a significant hypoxic brain injury at birth and has cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs, are the focus of the public awareness film for APIL’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign.
“Shining a spotlight on a clinical negligence case like Charlie’s is incredibly significant, now in particular. Spending on NHS negligence claims is under substantial scrutiny, including by the Public Accounts Committee and Department of Health and Social Care,” said APIL’s chief executive Mike Benner.
“Injured victims of negligence must be at the centre of any dialogue or policymaking which affects them. The film is a powerful reminder that the numbers represent real lives, and that victims need and deserve full and fair redress,” Mike said.
In the film, titled Charlie’s Story, Kayleigh shares how making a claim for compensation has been “life-changing”. She also commends being able to fund Charlie’s private therapies, which are a crucial part of the lifelong support that he needs.
Rebuilding Shattered Lives is a long-term campaign to tackle misconceptions about personal injury claimants and their representatives.
“Negative perceptions among the public remain a problem for the PI sector. They can lead to bad legislation which undermines access to justice, and even put injured people off seeking the redress they need,” said Mike Benner.
“Most people have not suffered harm because of negligence, and don’t expect ever to be a claimant. But our polling shows that people who do turn to PI lawyers have positive views of them and the system, in polar contrast to the wider, uninjured, public.
“The research demonstrates the vital importance of the support that PI lawyers provide. Rebuilding Shattered Lives showcases that value to the wider public and policymakers,” he said.
Charlie’s Story is circulating on social media. It follows previous Rebuilding Shattered Lives films Victora’s Story and Rusty’s Story, both of which scooped industry awards and reached a combined 2.2 million views online.
Charlie’s case was handled by Express Solicitors.