Clarke Willmott LLP, which has offices in Birmingham, has become a formal corporate supporter of the Encephalitis Society, which raises awareness of the condition. Whilst Alzheimer’s and meningitis justifiably receive significant amounts of media attention, encephalitis is an illness much less in the public spot light. With up to 6,000 cases of encephalitis in the UK each year and hundreds of thousands more worldwide, the lack of public awareness of the condition is perhaps surprising.
Chris Thorne, partner in the medical negligence and personal injury team at Clarke Willmott, said: “Choosing to work with The Encephalitis Society was not difficult. The enthusiasm of their CEO Dr Ava Easton and her team, combined with their professional approach, reassured us that our contribution will be well used.
“They have clear goals, an identified plan and yet retain the compassion necessary to support those who have battled encephalitis.”
As a firm of Solicitors working closely with those who have suffered injury through the negligence of others, be that as a result of a medical accident, a road traffic accident or accident in the work place, the team at Clarke Willmott LLP are familiar with the problems of those suffering a brain injury.
The partnership with The Encephalitis Society, which is based in North Yorkshire, is an opportunity to provide support to those who may not have a claim for compensation arising out of their illness but are forced to rely upon their own resources. Our joint purpose is to improve the quality of life for all people affected directly and indirectly by encephalitis and we hope that this is a relationship which will endure and achieve that aim as the relationship grows.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or a problem with the immune system. There are multiple potential triggers and the level of long term damage caused by the illness may vary from individual to individual.
It effects both adults and children and there is no social group unaffected by encephalitis. The long term outcome can include tiredness, recurring headaches, and difficulties with memory, concentration, mood swings, aggression and clumsiness through to epilepsy, bodily weakness, loss of sensation and significant long term brain injury.
Objectives of The Encephalitis Society include reducing the incidence of encephalitis where possible, raising awareness of the condition, ensuring access to appropriate treatment and for survivors and family members affected by encephalitis, to improve their quality of life.
