Mental Health Awareness: Stress & Anxiety in Personal Injury Cases

September 16, 2019 Entertainment Queen Healthy Waffle 0

It is general knowledge that personal injury victims are entitled to claim for damages from the entity responsible for their injuries. These damages are often in the form of financial payment to cover monetary losses associated with the injury, such as lost wages due to absence from work, hospital and/or physical therapy bills, and mechanical fees spent on the damaged vehicle.

But did you know that you could be entitled to emotional distress compensation?

Injuries can be stressful because it affects your quality of life. Emotional distress, such as stress, anxiety, and mental anguish, are all palpable results of a personal injury. However, the nature and seriousness of the injury and medical diagnosis can determine whether you are entitled to compensation. Stress and anxiety can be considered as “non-economic damage,” falling under the “pain and suffering” category, as well as a medically documented injury.

How to Increase Your Claim for Pain and Suffering Damages

While economic damages, such as medical costs and lost wages, are quantifiable in dollar amounts, non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering caused by the injury, are difficult to put a precise dollar figure on.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a frequently diagnosed form of stress in victims of serious and catastrophic physical injuries. After getting involved in an accident, victims are advised to undergo psychological counselling. PTSD is a serious mental disorder and can result from a specific accident. York Region Psychological Services (YRPS) and other psychological clinics in Toronto provide personal injury victims with medical-legal services, psychological assessment, and treatment options to help establish your personal injury case and claim.

To increase the value of your claim, you must gather enough evidence for your emotional distress. The other party needs to account for every dollar they pay for your claim. The stronger the evidence you provide, the more reason you give them to pay more.

Check out the factors that increase pain and suffering value:

● Intense mental anguish – A mental health professional who treats you can help establish the intensity of your mental anguish. The more intense your mental anguish, the higher the compensation you will receive.
● Persistent pain or permanent injuries – Long-term pain, such as extensive burns, or permanent physical injuries, such as paralysis or scarring, should be documented by your healthcare provider as evidence of severe emotional distress.
● Underlying Cause – Victims who endured extreme events, such as a plane crash, are more likely to have higher emotional distress value.
● Physical symptoms – Ulcers, vomiting, or intense headaches should be properly documented to support your claim.

When to See a Lawyer

Michelle Linka Law Professional Corporation and other personal injury firms in Richmond Hill understand how stress and anxiety is caused by the injury. Personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in dealing with injured clients and those who lost their loved ones in a traumatic accident.

You might not realize it but seeing a trusted lawyer near you does not cost anything. Many personal injury lawyers give free consultations. Also, should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim, you do not have to pay an attorney’s fee until a settlement is awarded to you.

If you think your health and future is at stake after a personal injury, do not wait long to exercise those rights. Get the medical and legal help you need from trusted professionals.