Seeking Compensation When You Suffer PTSD After a Workplace Accident

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur when an individual experiences a significantly traumatic experience. PTSD is often associated with soldiers who saw combat, individuals who suffered from abuse, and individuals who were victims of violent crimes. PTSD-inducing accidents can happen in any workplace, though they are more common in certain settings than others. For example, a police officer or firefighter is generally exposed to far more trauma than a schoolteacher or a bartender.

PTSD can dramatically affect an individual's ability to cope with the physical aspects of his or her recovery. It can make it difficult or even impossible for the individual to continue working until he or she has received appropriate treatment, which can include various types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention. Individuals who suffer from PTSD as a result of workplace accident may seek compensation for the costs associated with its treatment through an injury claim.

After a traumatic event, an individual affected by PTSD might exhibit the following symptoms:

• Anxiety symptoms, such as insomnia and a pronounced startle response;
• Flashbacks to the event;
• Mistrust of others;
• Living in constant fear or paranoia;
• Self-destructive behavior; and
• Social isolation.

While rarely curable, PTSD is treatable. Individuals who think they could be suffering from PTSD or another mental condition after an accident should discuss their symptoms with their primary care providers, who can recommend them to specialists.

Proving that you are suffering from PTSD can be more difficult than proving that you are suffering from another type of injury because there is no evidence. Unlike a broken limb, which can be demonstrated through photographs, x-rays, and the presence of a cast on the limb, you do not have visual proof of your PTSD.

What you need to prove that you are suffering is a testimony from an expert witness, like your doctor. He or she will have to testify about how he or she diagnoses PTSD and that you have exhibited its symptoms. He or she can also attest to how your PTSD has kept you from going to work and doing other normal routine activities. Other testimonies to support your doctor's claim can come from your colleagues, your friends, and your family members, who have observed you exhibiting the symptoms above.

PTSD is a serious condition that can have a profound effect on your life and your ability to recover from an injury sustained in a workplace accident. To learn more about PTSD and seeking compensation for your damages associated with the condition, contact an experienced San Jose workplace accident attorney at Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. to schedule your initial legal consultation with a member of our team. We proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• PTSD: National Center for PTSD