Legal advice

Neuro-Legal Handbook

For the majority of people the journey through encephalitis, from diagnosis to accessing services for their recovery, is smooth, complicated only by the unique difficulties inherent to this illness. However, for a few people there is a struggle to get an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, support for recovery, educational support, and protection for vulnerable relatives. This handbook focuses on various legal topics, not all of them involving court procedures: rights you may be entitled to (e.g. NHS continuing healthcare, special educational needs), how to get the support you need before something goes wrong (protecting vulnerable adults, workplace discrimination, power of attorney and wills) and also where to go if something goes wrong (clinical negligence).

This booklet is aimed at people affected by encephalitis who live in the UK.

Download a copy of the Neuro-Legal Handbook or request one from our office on 01653 699599/[email protected]

Ask a Legal Question

Please complete the form via the link below to have any questions you have answered by one of our legal experts.

Legal Enquiry Form

If you have a clinical legal question and you are based in England and Wales and would like to talk to one of our legal partners directly please call 01653 602075. This phoneline rotates on a weekly basis to our four legal partners. You are under no obligation to take further their advice.

The Encephalitis Society works with a wide range of corporate partners. These relationships are vital to us. Every penny raised, and every service provided, goes towards our aim to improve the quality of life of all people affected directly and indirectly by encephalitis.

The Encephalitis Society may receive monies and grants (restricted and unrestricted) and gifts in kind from the corporate companies we work with.

Medical Experts for Legal Counsel

Encephalitis Society has a Medical Expert Referral Service.

You must be a member, to access this service (professional membership can be completed free of charge).

The service involves screening and sourcing the best medical expert, who in our opinion would be most suited to supporting your needs, and includes forwarding to you their name and contact details.

The cost is: £200 plus VAT (total £240). Please note we are unable to guarantee they will assist you.

To access this service, please contact us and mark your email Medical Expert Referral Service. Please provide your email and telephone number along with an overview of your requirements.

If you require an expert in another field do please contact us and we will endeavour to assist you.

Disclaimer: Encephalitis Society has established partnerships with firms that we believe are best placed to conduct work with our supporters and who have high levels of professionalism and ethical conduct. However, we cannot offer any guarantee as to the information or service that the firms involved may or may not provide. No liability can be attached to the Encephalitis Society or any of its servants or agents as a result of any person relying upon any information given out by any legal expert associated with us.

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NMDAR antibody encephalitis

NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.
Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.
What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.
West Nile encephalitis

West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.
Guidelines for recovery

No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.
Limbic encephalitis

The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.
Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.
Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare condition, which is probably of autoimmune origin. The concept of HE is becoming fragmented into a number of other types of autoimmune encephalitis which appear to have their own autoantibodies, prognosis and associated features.
Death from encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.
Measles infection and encephalitis

Measles causes encephalitis in children with measles infection. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a very effective way to prevent against these diseases.