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PTSD After an Accident or Injury

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that occurs after an individual experiences a serious accident, catastrophic injury, or another traumatic event. Although it usually develops within a few weeks, it can also arise months or years after the traumatic event.

PTSD may stem from:

Serious Accidents & Injuries
Harrowing Events (Fires, disasters, crimes)
War/Combat
Sexual/Physical Abuse
Threats/Stalking/Harassment

If you or a loved one are suffering from PTSD because of another party’s negligent actions, you should contact the Ohio PTSD lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick today at 1-800-HURT-NOW. We understand this disorder and may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages.

PTSD Symptoms

There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms that individuals suffering from this disorder typically experience. They are:

Reliving the Event

When memories of a traumatic event continue for an individual, they are likely to experience this symptom. Regardless of whether they are awake and have a flashback or are asleep and dreaming about the event, they feel like they are reliving the event. They may experience these flashbacks randomly, while other times, a trigger like hearing a loud noise can lead to reliving the traumatic events.

Avoidance Behavior

Individuals with PTSD commonly avoid people or places that remind them of their traumatic events. For example, if someone was in a serious offshore accident, they may refrain from going near the water. Additionally, individuals with PTSD may distance themselves from anyone who works in a water-related career.

Emotional and Social Changes

An individual who lives with PTSD may change how they express their emotions. An interest or activity they used to be passionate about may no longer be of interest to them. They may also treat their loved ones as strangers, believe that nobody can be trusted, and be unable to discuss or remember the details of the event that caused their PTSD.

Hyperarousal

Sometimes individuals with PTSD are jittery or looking for danger. They may become irritable or angry out of nowhere. This type of behavior is known as hyperarousal, and it may make it difficult for them to sleep or concentrate. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after going through a traumatic event, you may have PTSD and should consult a doctor as soon as possible. They may recommend medications, therapy, counseling, or eye movement desensitization to treat your condition.

Long-Term Effects of PTSD

PTSD can make it difficult for individuals to go about their lives in the way they did prior to the traumatic event that caused their condition. If a car accident caused their PTSD, they may be afraid to drive or ride in a car, making it difficult for them to get to and from work and preventing them from finding and keeping a job. When this happens, they are left with more stress and a lower quality of life.

The effects of PTSD can hinder every area of an individual’s life. Their relationships may suffer, they may avoid social activities, and they could be fearful of everyone they meet. The longer their PTSD exists without treatment, the more significant the effects will be.

Therefore, if you believe you have PTSD, you should seek immediate medical attention.

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Legal Options for PTSD Victims: Can You Sue?

If you’ve been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party for your losses related to the disorder. While a claim won’t undo your PTSD diagnosis, it can provide financial relief, ensure you receive the necessary mental treatment, and hold those responsible accountable for the harm they caused.

However, PTSD caused by another party’s negligence can be challenging to prove in court. Health issues, symptoms, medications, and medical treatments all play a role in pursuing a successful claim for PTSD. Likewise, your case may require expert testimony from therapists or other mental health professionals.

Holding Someone Liable for Your PTSD

To establish liability, prove negligence, and ultimately have a successful PTSD lawsuit, you must meet the following elements:

The other party had a duty of care toward you
That party breached this duty by failing to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances
The other party’s breach of its duty caused your injuries
You suffered actual injuries that you can be compensated for

For instance, if your PTSD was diagnosed after a car accident, you and your lawyer will need to show that the other driver had a duty to follow the traffic laws, breached this duty by driving recklessly, and suffered PTSD because of the collision. Finally, you’ll have to demonstrate that you suffered financial and other harm in connection to having PTSD. This could be an inability to work, drive, or live as you did prior to the car accident.

Compensation for PTSD

Depending on the severity and other factors involved, you may be able to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages associated with your PTSD. Whether your PTSD stems from a car crash, the wrongful death of a loved one, or some other traumatic event, you may be entitled to your:

Medical expenses
Loss of income
Disability
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium

KNR Can Help File Your Claim

The Ohio PTSD lawyers at Kisling, Nestico, & Redick have several years of experience successfully representing clients with PTSD or other psychological injuries that were the result of other parties’ negligence. If your case is valid, we’ll obtain the evidence necessary to prove the connection between the accident and your PTSD.

At KNR our attorneys will:

Answer your questions and concerns
Keep you updated during all stages of the process
Obtain medical records about the extent of your PTSD
Identify the responsible party
Determine the fair and full value of your damages
Negotiate for maximum compensation
Fight for everything you deserve in court if necessary

Call Our Ohio PTSD Lawyers Today

If you are suffering from PTSD or another psychological injury because of an accident or a traumatic event that was not your fault, you should contact the Ohio PTSD lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick today. Call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Ohio PTSD Lawyers