Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When your mental health suffers, your life can also suffer. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental illness that can ruin your life. It’s a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose. Some accident victims suffer from PTSD without even knowing it.
If you’re an accident victim and you have PTSD, you may be able to seek compensation. Here at Friedland & Associates, we can help you take the steps towards receiving money for your suffering.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that manifests after a traumatic event. Although the incident may have occurred years ago, the victim still feels stressed and anxious.
The disorder shows itself in several ways. For instance, a car accident victim could have a paralyzing fear of driving. A pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle might jump at every sound they hear. But victims aren’t the only ones who can develop PTSD. At times, witnesses of accidents experience symptoms of the disorder.
As with all mental health issues, it’s hard to understand PTSD without living it. However, a look at the symptoms of the disorder can shed some light on it. Here are some of the most common symptoms of PTSD:
- Reliving the experience through flashbacks, visions, or nightmares
- A feeling of numbness
- Outbursts of anger
- Trouble remembering the incident
- Depression
- Guilty feelings
- Avoidance of some situations
- Jitters or a feeling of being on edge
- Trouble sleeping
- Suicidal feelings
Who Can Experience PTSD?
Both children and adults can experience PTSD. However, children usually have different symptoms. They might become clingy or have behavior regression. For example, a child could start using baby talk or start wetting the bed.
If you notice symptoms of PTSD in a loved one, you should consider the cause. Were they involved in a traumatic incident? It’s possible the event caused a mental health issue.
Many types of incidents can bring on PTSD. Typically, car accidents, sexual abuse, severe accidents, and natural disasters cause the disorder.
Receiving Compensation for PTSD
To receive compensation for PTSD, you need to take legal action. But first, you need to see if you have a case. Your PTSD must have stemmed from an accident caused by negligence. This allows you to file a personal injury claim against the negligent individual or entity. Without negligence, you have no claim.
With traditional personal injury claims, proving the injury is relatively easy. However, PTSD claims are more complex. It can be difficult to prove a mental health issue. In some cases, a spouse or child may be able to point out behavior changes that are signs of the disorder. A mental health professional can also testify on your behalf. Usually, the professional is a neurologist.
The Timeline
One of the keys to a successful claim for compensation is filing in time. All personal injury claims have a statute of limitations. In certain states, the deadline is shorter than others. It’s crucial that you speak to a lawyer and file before the deadline passes.
Your treatment also is on a timeline. The longer you wait to seek help from a professional, the harder it will be to prove your case. If you suspect PTSD, you should see a mental health specialist as soon as possible. You should also contact a personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
The Damages
All personal injury claims are the same in that they have the same potential damages. For one, you could receive money for all of your medical treatment. This means all therapies, doctor appointments, and medications.
Additionally, your compensation could include all of your future medical bills. Treating PTSD takes time, and that costs money.
You could also receive money for any lost wages. If you missed days of work because of your mental health, you could recover the lost wages. Finally, you may receive money for pain and suffering.
Working with a Lawyer
PTSD claims can be much more complex than other personal injury claims. If you want to improve your chances at a successful case, you should work with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has experience with PTSD victims.
Here at Friedland & Associates, we have that experience. We also have the resources you need to get results. Contact us today to learn more about working together.
