Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become a widely recognized malady. This can be partly attributed to veteran accounts from Iraq and Afghanistan come to light through the media, as well as local individuals informing about their symptoms. Combat experiences are a common cause of the disorder, but other activities can cause it as well, affecting many. Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis and Mick Jagger dealt with the disorder, as did Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. Did you know that you might have a personal injury case if you suffer with PTSD?
Plaintiff attorneys don’t mind taking on PTSD cases. The disorder comes from an identifiable cause, and can be presented fairly easily in court. These causes include abuse, bullying, discrimination, natural disasters, and car accidents. Essentially, an event transpired, and the person affected then demonstrates symptoms in relation to that event.
Fear and anxiety are signs. Other symptoms include anger, depression, hyperalertness, flashbacks, nightmares, recollection from one of the senses, frightening behavior, decreased libido, and avoidance of situations recalling the event. If this sounds familiar, be sure to get help first to work through symptoms.
Here is what you need to know as you think about a PTSD personal injury case:
- The biggest thing to look at in a PTSD personal injury case is the extent, and severity of the injury. Victims of the disorder often suffer from other physical and psychological maladies which require medical treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy. Costs for these treatments can get into the tens of thousands of dollars.
- In some cases, victims of PTSD are not able to return to work. The dollar amount can be determined for lost wages and future income. Experts can furthermore determine if the employee will be unable to perform the same job in the future.
- Victims of psychological trauma are also entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. In California this is done by determining the number of days the victim suffers with the injury. If it’s 500 days, and a jury determines a per day value of $500, then the verdict will be $250,000.
- Finally, if the defendant is found to have had reckless disregard for the safety of others, or is shown to have intent to cause harm to others, punitive damages can be awarded. Punitive damages are limited by the US Supreme Court to no more than 10 times the damages awarded by a jury.
