Post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, is often thought to only affect war veterans or those who have served in the military. However, PTSD could affect anyone who has suffered a traumatic experience. If you have suffered PTSD from a motor vehicle accident or another incident caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue justice in a personal injury lawsuit.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD has a number of long-term symptoms that could hinder a victim’s quality of life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and other treatments may help ease the symptoms.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- Psychological symptoms. Psychological symptoms of PTSD include mistrust, severe anxiety, flashbacks of the traumatic event, and fear. Patients may be afraid to even ride in a car again after an accident, or they may have nightmares of the event.
- Behavioral symptoms. Victims of PTSD may also suffer a variety of behavioral symptoms. These include hostility, aggressive outbursts, antisocial behaviors, agitation, self-destructive behaviors, irritability, hypervigilance, and social isolation.
- Emotional symptoms. Emotional symptoms of PTSD include loss of enjoyment of certain activities, emotional detachment, unwanted thoughts, depression, anxiety, heightened reactions, loneliness, and feelings of guilt.
Treatment methods for those with PTSD focus on helping the patient learn how to cope with anxiety and fear in a healthy way, as well as manage sleep disorders like insomnia and nightmares, identify triggers of PTSD, and learn how to manage stress. A variety of therapy options exist for those suffering from PTSD. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Seeking Compensation for PTSD in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Along with economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and disability, you may be able to receive non-economic damages, including emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant acted with gross negligence.
In order to seek compensation for PTSD, you will need to prove that you are suffering symptoms of PTSD, that your PTSD was caused by a traumatic event, and that the defendant was directly responsible for causing the traumatic event. Evidence and expert witness testimony may be necessary to prove negligence in your case.
If you have suffered PTSD as a result of someone else’s actions, Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys is here to help. Our Campbell personal injury attorneys will gather evidence and prepare your case. From start to finish, we will answer your questions and provide aggressive representation as you seek justice. Contact us or dial (800) 900-0863 to discuss your situation with a member of our team.