The psychological impact of life-changing injuries on individuals & families

When someone experiences a life-changing injury, the effects extend far beyond the physical trauma. Both the injured person and their family face an ongoing process of emotional, psychological, and practical adjustment that can reshape every aspect of their lives. 

In this Court of Protection Series “Psychological support for clients in the Court of Protection”, I spoke with Dr Shabnam Berry-Khan, founder of PsychWorks Associates, about how we as professionals can support our clients from a psychological perspective to help them rebuild their lives.  

Our discussion highlighted how deeply these injuries affect identity, relationships, and daily life, and why collaboration between professionals supporting individuals through a life changing injury is vital.

The impact on our clients  

As legal professionals, we often meet clients at the very beginning of their journey, at a time when their lives have changed suddenly and unexpectedly. Many have lost control and independence almost overnight. This is a profoundly overwhelming experience, and families often carry a heavy emotional burden alongside their loved one. 

Dr Berry-Khan emphasises that the psychological consequences of catastrophic injuries go far beyond the physical. “Life-changing injuries impact people emotionally, physically, and cognitively,” she explains. “One of the most significant aspects is how they affect someone’s sense of self — how they perceive themselves, how others perceive them, and how those perceptions interact.” 

For many clients, the injury disrupts their identity, independence, roles, and even their sense of future. It is not only about adapting to a physical condition but also about rebuilding how they see themselves and how they relate to the world around them.  

The impact on families  

The impact of a life-changing injury is not limited to the individual. We recognise when working with families, that they too undergo significant change as they navigate new responsibilities and altered relationships. Roles can shift overnight, routines become more complex, and support networks often expand to include professionals and care teams which is a new world to navigate.  

Alongside these practical changes, families experience powerful emotions such as guilt, frustration, sadness, grief, and sometimes resentment. Both the individual and families are adjusting to the change. Recognising this shared journey as professionals is essential to build strong and lasting working relationships.  

Our experience  

From our experience in the Court of Protection, rehabilitation for our clients is rarely a quick or straightforward process. It can sometimes take many years before someone reaches a point of relative stability. Even then, the process of adjustment continues. Circumstances change, needs evolve, and new challenges emerge over time.  

We recognise that our client’s journey is not only about support our clients through physical rehabilitation, but also psychologically. We understand that clients want to rebuild their identity, relationships, and hope for the future.  

This is why a collaborative approach is so important. Our role is not just to navigate the legal aspects of our client’s case but also to build and work alongside a team of professionals who can support our clients to rebuild their lives in the wake of life-changing injuries.