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Catastrophic Injury PTSD Lawyers

Commonly referred to as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder is a complicated condition that often goes undiagnosed or dismissed. However, it’s estimated that up to 12 million adults in the U.S. are dealing with this affliction at any given time, and it often requires extensive care to address. PTSD is a mental health condition that occurs when one experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This anxiety disorder usually requires medical treatment to help victims get better. The effects of a dangerous, scary, or shocking event may vary from one victim to the next. Since PTSD is often life-altering, it’s best for victims to seek proper medical care from experienced medical professionals. Like any physical injury, anxiety disorders like PTSD are real and can be equally incapacitating to victims. PTSD-related expenses may also severely impact the lives of victims and their loved ones. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with PTSD after an event caused or carried out by someone else, contact Nix Patterson for legal advice and representation. Trust our PTSD lawyers to assess your case and help you understand your legal options. We will vigorously pursue the compensation you deserve for your catastrophic injury case, sexual assault case, or other PTSD-related event. Remember, your consultation will be free and confidential.

Nix Patterson will vigorously pursue the compensation you deserve for your catastrophic injury case, sexual assault case, or other PTSD-related event.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

After a traumatic event, one may experience PTSD symptoms within the same month. However, there are times when they may not appear until years after a near-death experience or similar event. PTSD symptoms may affect one’s relationships, social life, and work. They may also affect their ability to perform everyday tasks. Re-experiencing the event is the most common symptom of PTSD. This happens when a victim relives the terrifying event that caused the PTSD. This is a vivid and involuntary event that may be coupled with constant negative thoughts. Re-experiencing the event may include:
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Physical sensations
  • Distressing mental images
Other symptoms of PTSD include:
  • Avoiding places or people
  • Difficulty handling close relationships
  • Memory problems
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Losing interest in your hobbies
  • Hopelessness
  • Being frightened
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Shame or guilt

What Are the PTSD Symptoms in Children?

PTSD can affect children involved in traumatic events just as it can affect adults. If your child is experiencing PTSD, they may have trouble sleeping or experience disturbing nightmares.

Children with PTSD may also lose interest in activities, portray difficult behavior, and avoid anything to do with the event.

What Experiences Can Cause PTSD?

Roughly one in three people who experience severe trauma may develop PTSD. There’s no clear explanation for why some people develop PTSD after traumatic events while others don’t. The types of events that can lead to this mental health condition include:

  • Severe motor vehicle wrecks
  • Medical malpractice
  • Sexual abuse or assault
  • Premises liability accidents 
  • Physical assault
  • Traumatic events at the workplace
  • Childbirth experiences, like losing a child
  • War or military service
  • Serious health problems
  • Losing someone close to you
  • Animal attacks

Can I Sue for PTSD?

The short answer is yes, when it was caused by someone else’s negligence or unlawful actions.

If you experience PTSD due to another person’s fault, you may have a valid claim. This means that you can sue the at-fault party to recover compensation for your injury and losses. Victims of catastrophic injury or sexual assault often experience PTSD.

In personal injury and sexual assault cases, PTSD is a condition that falls under mental anguish or emotional distress damages. These are non-economic damages that are more complicated to prove than clear injuries like a fractured arm. For this reason, it’s advisable to speak to an experienced PTSD lawyer who can help you prove your condition, hire the right expert witnesses (at no cost to you) and recover fair compensation.

Unsure if you have a valid claim? Contact Nix Patterson today to schedule your free and confidential consultation. Our lawyers will compassionately listen to you and advise you on the best way forward.

How Do You Link Negligent Conduct and PTSD?

In personal injury cases, the term “negligence” often comes up. According to the Cornell Law School, negligence is a legal concept that demonstrates “failure to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances.”

To win a PTSD negligence claim, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff. This means that you must demonstrate the defendant’s negligent act or failure to act to get the compensation and justice you deserve for your condition.

The PTSD lawyers at Nix Patterson can help you prove negligence using these elements:

  • Duty of care. Did the defendant owe you a duty of care? For example, a truck driver should follow all federal and state rules to avoid hurting other drivers on the road.
  • Breach of duty. Did the defendant disregard their duty of care? For instance, an 18-wheeler driver who runs a red light violates their duty of care because it is against the law to run red lights.
  • Causation. Did the other party’s actions or omissions lead to your mental or emotional injury? For example, if the 18-wheeler runs a red light, crashes into another car, and injures the driver, the 18-wheeler driver causes the car driver’s injuries.
  • Recoverable damages. Did you sustain losses due to the traumatic incident? Medical bills and lost wages are some of the damages recoverable in a PTSD claim.

We are also prepared to hire expert witnesses, like psychiatrists, to testify about your or your loved one’s emotional and mental condition. Nix Patterson will advance the costs for such expert witnesses, and we only recover those costs if a settlement or judgment is obtained.

What Can I Expect After a PTSD Claim?

At Nix Patterson, our PTSD lawyers are prepared to help you if you are suffering due to the negligent actions or assault of a third party. Here are some of the damages you can recover in a personal injury claim:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Punitive damages if the at-fault party’s actions were grossly negligent or intentional, such as in assault cases

To understand how much your PTSD claim is worth, get in touch with a reliable PTSD lawyer who will comprehensively analyze the facts surrounding your case. The personal injury lawyers at Nix Patterson will look into evidence like medical records and police reports to get a better understanding of your PTSD case.

Get Help for You or a Loved One Suffering from PTSD

If you or your loved one has suffered PTSD due to someone else’s negligence or assault, the PTSD lawyers at Nix Patterson can help. Our lawyers understand how PTSD can affect one’s entire life. We have extensive experience in numerous practice areas, including personal injury law and sexual assault law. We know how to get injured victims the compensation they deserve.

Contact us today to schedule your free case review. Let us give you an honest assessment of your PTSD claim.

CONTACT US

Nix Patterson only works on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay us nothing unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today. Call 512.328.5333 or complete the form below. 

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