Witness statement help please!

[jodr]

Hello lovely peeps 😊

For my hubby's compensation claim we each have to do a witness statement with the solicitor however I'm not entirely sure what it is! I've started jotting down a few one liners of things I want to include (some of the changed in my husband) but I'm finding it hard when every thing has changed how do you put it into words?

Has anyone had to do one of these and knows what they're all about? Any advice or pointers greatly welcome 😊

Jo

[Mickdondan]

Could Headway help you?

[jodr in reply to Mickdondan]

It might be worth asking them thank you 😃

[mikedthorpe]

I had to write a personal statement for court. It was 2 pages long but took 5 weeks to write, mainly because it wasn't easy like you're saying.

I started by using a fresh sheet of paper for each major point I wanted to talk about, i.e. Physical effects and emotional financial etc, and kind of brainstormed each heading. When something new would arise I would add it to my notes. When I then wrote things in sentences and paragraphs, I crossed out each subject as I'd finished writing it up.

All your statement should be is a text version of your reality. Write everything down, even 'the little things'. Be detailed and talk about the way each thing affects you and your partner. I wrote about very personal stuff and my future worries along with the generic stuff.

Remember that it isn't a test, it's an opportunity to share your problems, so don't be judgemental of yourself or worry about what you're writing. Just be honest and you won't go wrong. I hope this helps. Good luck 😊

[jodr in reply to mikedthorpe]

Thank you very much that's brilliant I will do exactly that. It does seem pretty daunting but by breaking it down it should help me make sure everything is included Thank you 😃

[paxo05]

Hi, as previously stated break each change down into smaller poit's as a rough draft.

It's sounds daunting ( it is) but tackle each one separate. You may end up going back and forth as you realise you have omited something.

Remember to include everything no matter how trivial it seems. It also helped me come to terms with the impact of my bi.

Pax

[jodr in reply to paxo05]

Thank you Pax that's a great help 😃

[sospan]

Your solicitor should be very experienced in coaxing a very good statement out of you.

What they are looking at is what like was like for you both pre- incident. I would get out old family pictures to remember what you used to do - holdays, days out, social events etc., look around the house and garage to remind yourself of things like DIY, Hobbies etc.

Simply make a list of the things he used to do and the really important bit what he can/can not do now.

A list is very important as your husband will eventually have to see medical specialists appointed by your solicitors and then different ones appointed by the defendants. The list will help them assess your husbands capabilities, extent of injury and long term prognosis

When I gave my statements, they varied over the 5 years it took to settle the case. The changes were due partly to some recovery and also me adapting to do things differently. All the specialists and solicitors will want to see some improvements during the years after injury. So the important thing is to be honest and not embellish things either way.

Don't worry once you get into the routine of seeing a solicitor it becomes very easy.

One word of advice, make sure your firm of solicitors has a specialist head injury practice. I changed from the firm I had used for 17 years to one on Headways list because even to me at the time they were out of their depth.

Be prepared for a lots of highs and lows over the next few years

All the best for your journey

[jodr]

Thank you sospan for your reply 😊 we are 12 months in now and part of my difficulty is that I can hardly remember our old life now so going thru old pictures etc as hard as it will be is a good idea to help me remember.

Our solicitor I found through the headway website and she is excellent and so worth having someone with actual experience in brain injuries.

Thank you again 😊

[bethk123]

Hey I had to do a similar thing for myself, and all I can suggest is list everything from the small things to the big things and don't miss anything out because it all matters! So yeah I just found writing a list of things easier and then the solicitor helped to put it in to a more formal statement.

Hope this helps x