Polytrauma means suffering multiple severe injuries at the same time, usually as a result of high-impact accidents like serious car crashes. These kinds of injuries can be life changing, often requiring extensive medical treatment, specialist care, and long-term rehabilitation. Some people never fully recover and are left living with the effects of polytrauma for the rest of their lives.

If your polytrauma was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Below, we explain what polytrauma is and how it’s commonly caused. We’ll also look at what treatment and rehabilitation involves, and how Injury Lawyers 4u can help you pursue compensation for multiple injuries and polytrauma.

What is polytrauma?

Polytrauma is a medical term used when a person suffers multiple serious injuries at the same time, affecting different parts of the body. These injuries often require emergency treatment, multiple surgeries, and a lengthy recovery process.

Common polytrauma injuries include:

• Severe fractures: Multiple broken bones in different areas of the body.
• Head and brain injuries: Including traumatic brain injury (TBI) which can cause short-term or long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
• Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to paralysis or permanent mobility issues.
• Internal organ damage: Life-threatening injuries affecting the heart, lungs, liver, or other vital organs.
• Severe burns or tissue damage: May require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, or intensive care.

How is polytrauma diagnosed?

To assess the extent of polytrauma, doctors use a range of tests and diagnostic tools. For serious cases, this usually includes advanced imaging techniques such as:

• CT scans (computed tomography)
• MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging)
• X-rays

These allow medical teams to identify internal injuries, fractures, and organ damage. Patients with life-threatening injuries may be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for immediate treatment and monitoring.

In the UK, doctors may also use the Injury Severity Score (ISS) to assess the seriousness of multiple injuries. This scoring system looks at how many areas of the body are injured and how severe those injuries are (rated on a six-point scale). A score above 15 is typically classed as polytrauma.

What causes polytrauma?

Polytrauma is most often caused by high-impact accidents, like:

• Road traffic accidents: Motor vehicle collisions, whether involving cars, motorbikes, cyclists, or pedestrians, often result in multiple injuries. High-speed crashes can cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage. 

• Falls from height: Falls from raised areas such as scaffolding, staircases or construction sites can lead to spinal fractures, head trauma and broken bones. Even slips and trips can result in serious injuries, particularly in construction and industrial settings. 

• Workplace accidents: Heavy machinery, falling objects and workplace explosions can cause severe injuries in high-risk environments. Crush injuries, head trauma and amputations are common in workplace accidents. 

• Sporting injuries: High-contact or extreme sports such as rugby, skiing, horse riding, and motor racing carry the risk of severe fractures, concussions, and spinal injuries. 

• Violent assaults: Blunt force trauma, stabbings or shootings can cause multiple injuries, including head trauma, fractures, and internal bleeding. 

Polytrauma recovery and treatment

Recovery from polytrauma varies depending on the nature and severity of the injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered multiple serious injuries, the treatment journey will likely follow several stages:

Emergency care & stabilisation

Immediately after the accident, medical professionals focus on stabilising the patient. This may involve controlling bleeding, setting broken bones, preventing infection, and providing respiratory support. Some patients will require surgery, ventilators or intensive care in the first few days or longer.

Long-term rehabilitation

Once the patient is stable, attention shifts to recovery and rehabilitation. This stage can take months or even years, and in some cases, a full recovery may not be possible. Many people will need to adapt to permanent changes in their health and lifestyle.

Rehabilitation after polytrauma may include:

• Physical rehabilitation: Physiotherapy to rebuild strength, mobility and coordination.
• Neurological treatment: Speech and cognitive therapy for those recovering from brain injuries.
• Psychological support: Therapy to help with PTSD, anxiety, depression or the emotional impact of living with life-changing injuries.
• Occupational therapy: Support to help patients return to work, manage daily tasks or adapt to disabilities.

Can you claim compensation for polytrauma?

If your polytrauma injuries were caused – at least in part – by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Who can make a polytrauma claim?

Complex injury claims can be made if:

• You sustained multiple serious injuries in an accident or other incident.
• The accident or incident was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as reckless driving, unsafe work conditions, or medical malpractice.
• The claim is filed within three years of the accident (exceptions may apply to this three-year rule, such as with cases involving minors or individuals lacking mental capacity).

What does polytrauma compensation cover?

Compensation for polytrauma is designed to reflect the wide-ranging impact of suffering multiple serious injuries. A successful claim can cover:

• Medical expenses: Including surgery, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication and any specialist treatment you need.
• Ongoing care and support: Such as nursing care, psychological therapy, and other support services.
• Loss of earnings: Compensation for income lost due to time off work or reduced ability to work in the future.
• Home adaptations: Funding for adjustments like stairlifts, wheelchair access, or bathroom modifications to help you live more independently.
• Pain and suffering: A payment that recognises the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by your injuries.

Every polytrauma claim is different, depending on the severity of the injuries and their long-term impact. You can use our compensation calculator to get an initial idea of how much your claim might be worth.

How to start a polytrauma compensation claim?

Taking the right steps after a serious injury can make a big difference to the success of your compensation claim. Here’s what to do:

Step 1 – Get a medical diagnosis

After suffering multiple injuries, you’ll likely undergo extensive medical treatment. Make sure you request a detailed medical report from your doctors that outlines the severity and long-term impact of your injuries. These reports will be used as expert evidence to support your claim.

Step 2 – Gather evidence

Having the right evidence is key to making a successful claim for complex injuries. Essential documents include:

• Accident reports: From the police, your employer, or any relevant authority.
• Witness statements: Written accounts from anyone who saw what happened.
• Medical records: Detailing your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
• Proof of financial losses: Such as payslips, medical invoices, travel expenses, and receipts for any care or support you’ve had to pay for.

Step 3 – Speak to a specialist solicitor

A solicitor with experience in serious injury claims can assess your case, help gather the right evidence, and guide you through the legal process.

At Injury Lawyers 4u, we’ve helped many people successfully claim compensation for severe injuries. With our no-win, no-fee service, there’s no financial risk to you — you only pay if your case is successful.

How Injury Lawyers 4u can help with severe injury claims

If you or a loved one has suffered polytrauma due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. At Injury Lawyers 4u, we offer free, no-obligation consultations and have years of experience handling complex injury claims.

We’ll guide you through every step of your polytrauma compensation claim, providing expert and compassionate legal support from start to finish.

Call us on 0333 400 4445 or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.