Coma and vegetative state after injury

What is the difference between a coma and vegetative state?

It is a very difficult and upsetting time when a loved one experiences a brain jury which has resulted in a coma or vegetative state, and, although some people recover from a coma, it is possible for people to be left in a vegetative state.

Comas usually last anywhere up to four weeks, and the person:

• Shows no signs of being awake
• Shows no signs of being aware of their surroundings
• Looks asleep
• Does not respond to pain or voices

A vegetative state is when a person:

• Is awake but shows no or little signs of awareness
• Opens their eyes and also falls asleep
• Has minimal reflexes, such as blinking
• Doesn’t show meaningful responses eg. responding to a person’s voice
• Doesn’t show signs of emotion

If a person is in a vegetative state for a prolonged period of time, it can either be considered to be:

• A continuing vegetative state – when it lasts more than a month
• A permanent vegetative state – when the state lasts more than six months if it was the result of a non-traumatic brain injury, or more than 12 months if it was the result of a traumatic brain injury

Making a compensation claim for a coma and/or vegetative state after injury

If a loved one has been diagnosed with an avoidable brain injury which has resulted in a coma and/or vegetative state, you may be entitled to compensation to help cope with the difficult circumstances you have found yourself in. Compensation can help with things such as medical appointments, equipment for your home, travel expenses, prolonged periods of care and so on.