Last updated · General information, not legal advice
Understanding traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) — more significant than a concussion, and often involving loss of consciousness, cognitive changes, or ongoing neurological symptoms — is a serious, non-threshold injury under the CTP scheme. These claims typically involve extensive medical evidence, specialist assessment, and a careful look at long-term impact on work, independence and quality of life. Given the seriousness and complexity involved, TBI claims are one of the clearest cases where getting specialist legal advice early genuinely matters.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can take hours or days to appear after a crash. Getting them assessed and documented early matters for your recovery — and for your claim.
- Loss of consciousness at the time of injury
- Significant confusion or disorientation
- Memory loss (before or after the accident)
- Ongoing cognitive difficulties — concentration, processing speed, executive function
- Personality or behavioural changes
- Physical symptoms including seizures, balance problems or motor impairment
Free claim check
Not sure where this leaves your claim?
How we help
A free claim check is a starting point, but a serious traumatic brain injury claim generally needs an independent specialist lawyer involved early — to coordinate specialist medical evidence, protect your interests around ongoing care needs, and properly value a long-term impairment. We'll connect you with a lawyer experienced in serious injury and TBI claims specifically.
Getting the right treatment
A serious brain injury generally needs a coordinated medical team — specialist doctors for diagnosis and the Certificate of Fitness, plus allied health such as neuropsychology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy for rehabilitation. Getting this team in place early matters for your care and for the evidence your claim will need. See doctors and allied health for CTP claims for help finding the right providers.
Doctors & allied health for CTP claims
Doctors & allied health
Need a doctor who understands CTP claims?
Your claim runs on medical evidence, so the doctor you see matters. If treatment is what you need, we can refer you to a doctor or allied health provider experienced with CTP claims.
- A doctor experienced with CTP claims — for diagnosis, a treatment plan and your Certificate of Fitness, which records your injuries and your capacity for work.
- Allied health such as physiotherapy, psychology and exercise physiology, for the treatment your injuries need.
- Free, with no obligation. We'll tell you if a provider we refer you to is connected with us, and you can always choose your own.
The CTP insurer generally pays for treatment that is reasonable and necessary for your accident injuries. It decides what's approved, and its decisions can be reviewed.
What matters for your claim
- 1Specialist assessment (neurology, neuropsychology) is central to documenting the injury properly
- 2Keep detailed records of hospital admission, imaging, and ongoing treatment
- 3Document changes in cognitive function, personality, and capacity for work or independent living
- 4A whole person impairment assessment is a key step once your condition has stabilised
- 5Consider whether ongoing care and support needs should be formally assessed and documented
Getting the right evidence
A suspected traumatic brain injury needs prompt hospital assessment. As recovery continues, keep every specialist letter, discharge summary and assessment report — this is the evidence base your claim, and any ongoing support you need, will be built on.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek medical care straight away — call 000 in an emergency.
