Is PTSD Eligible for Compensation?

When someone suffers a serious injury as a result of a car accident, it can be a daunting experience. The injured person may go through their insurance company or the legal process to help seek compensation for the damages they have experienced.

What happens, though, when the most damaging experience comes in the form of emotional trauma?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a real problem in any situation where serious injury occurs, and it’s something that often goes overlooked. Is it something that is eligible for a compensation award in a car accident case?

What Would It Be Considered In Terms of Compensation?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition that often causes fear and anxiety when presented with triggers stemming from the accident. As such, it is considered emotional trauma and pain and suffering may be compensated.

In car accident cases, like other personal injury claims, these are often referred to as non-economic damages. Whereas economic damages may include medical expenses and the like, non-economic damages are based on the intangible yet very real emotional and physical pain and suffering losses that occur in catastrophic injury cases. It takes a skilled trial lawyer to obtain a maximum award for these types of damages.

Why Would PTSD Be Compensated for In a Lawsuit?

Emotional trauma can oftentimes be more damaging than experiencing a physical injury altogether. These damages may lead to the individual having to change many aspects of their life, such as being unable to drive a vehicle out of fear or anxiety.

PTSD may also result in loss of enjoyment in life because the survivor may not be able to do such tasks they once enjoyed. To help make up for these types of losses, the survivor may be awarded a set amount of compensation—the amount is often capped by state law—to help give the survivor peace of mind and a feeling of justice.

The Beasley Firm has handled countless cases involving emotional trauma. Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers understand how PTSD can arise after a serious accident, and we work hard to return a bit of normalcy to the life of our clients.

If you or someone you love is suffering from PTSD after a crash, we’re here to help. We’ll stand by your side throughout the process, putting together a strong case on your behalf to seek the compensation you not only need, but also deserve.

For a free consultation, contact our firm today.