Brain Injury Awareness Week: Michael’s story

Brain Injury Awareness Week is an annual event dedicated to raising understanding of brain injuries and their profound impact on individuals and families across Australia. While often invisible, brain injuries can lead to complex, long-term disabilities that affect independence, relationships, and everyday life.

This week serves as an important reminder of the challenges people face and the need for greater awareness, support, and resources to help them live full and meaningful lives.

The reality of brain injury in Australia

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and death in Australia. The most common causes of brain injuries include:

• Trauma - from road crashes, falls, sporting accidents, workplace accidents, and assaults
• Medical events - including strokes, haemorrhages, aneurysms, and infection
• Lack of oxygen to the brain - during birth, cardiac arrests, strokes, near drownings.

These injuries often lead to complex, long-term disabilities which affect people's personalities, relationships, independence and quality of life.

The challenge: limited resources and support

Unfortunately, due to restricted funding, staffing shortages, and a lack of suitable facilities, many people suffering from traumatic brain injuries are not receiving the appropriate levels of support or the appropriate accommodation they need to support their recovery and enhance their quality of life.

Michael Stewart: life after brain injury and his fight for justice

Our client, Michael Stewart, 71, is one of many Australians living with the devastating consequences of a brain injury caused by medical negligence.

Before his injury, Michael lived a full and vibrant life. He lived in New York with his partner and son and worked as an artist. Michael and his family relocated to Brisbane’s north. Michael loved sharing his passions for painting, cooking, fishing, camping, and gardening, and he adored the companionship of his pet dog.

In 2016, Michael was admitted to Redcliffe Hospital with nausea and severe abdominal pain. Following general surgery (a laparotomy), he suffered catastrophic complications, including bowel perforations, sepsis, multiple strokes, and cardiac arrest. These events left Michael with a profound and permanent brain injury.

After an extended period of hospitalisation, Michael was discharged from the hospital into an aged care facility. For nearly a decade, he and his family have been advocating for a better quality of life and appropriate accommodation where his son and dog can stay with him.

In 2025, Michael’s fight for justice reached its highest point. Our medical negligence team appeared before the High Court of Australia, the nation’s highest court, to fight for Michael’s choice.

Sadly, Michael’s story is not unique. Many people living with brain injuries in Australia face struggles due to limited resources, funding shortages, and a lack of suitable accommodation options.

Support available for people with brain injuries

If you (or a loved one) suffer from a brain injury, you may be eligible to claim under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS provides funding for the supports and services you may need because of your brain injury. 

If you have sustained a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident, work injury or a medical event, you may be entitled to additional support. Contact us today to check what your entitlements are. We’re here to help.