Accident injuries and illnesses can cause stress and related symptoms such as migraines. You may experience these symptoms for a while and then get better. But when the stress is persistent, with symptoms that get worse or last for months on end, you may have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is sometimes part of a personal injury claim. This happens if your injury – and the resulting disorder – happened because of someone else’s negligence or deliberate action. You may feel anxious, angry or simply unlike yourself.
Common Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is commonly associated with military personnel, but it can also happen after the following events:
- Crime or violence, including sexual abuse
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Severe neglect
- Witnessing very upsetting events, such as an assault
Learn more about experiencing PTSD after a car accident.
How PTSD Can Affect Your Life
If you suffer from PTSD, it can have a devastating effect on your ability to fully enjoy life. Examples include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Severe anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Withdrawing from social settings
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Having angry outbursts
- Behaving in self-destructive ways
- Having trouble sleeping
- Lastly startling easily or easily frightened
Proving a Case Involving PTSD
Proving that someone else is at fault for your disorder can be complicated. The first element of your case will be to prove your psychological injuries. You and your personal injury lawyer will also need to prove the event that caused your disorder and show that someone’s negligence or deliberate action was responsible for the event. Another major hurdle will be proving damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, bills for counseling and money for loss of enjoyment of life.
In Arizona, you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Contact an attorney at Lerner & Lowe for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in an accident and suffer from trauma.