Psychological Injury Attorney

Because people tend to overlook damage that is not immediately visible, psychological injuries often go undiagnosed. If you sustain psychological damage as a result of someone else’s carelessness or intentional acts, you know that it is every bit as debilitating as a more apparent physical injury. Unfortunately, you will probably have to work harder to get the compensation you are entitled to by law. A psychological injury attorney can help to ensure you don’t suffer financial losses in addition to your diminished health.

What is a Psychological Injury?

When severe trauma overwhelms your mind beyond its coping capacity, you are likely to sustain psychological damage. Some of the symptoms of this type of injury include:

• Repeated flashbacks
• Panic attacks
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite or bingeing
• Physical and mental exhaustion
• Avoiding others
• Emotional detachment
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

A psychological injury can occur at the same time as a physical injury. For example, you could sustain a broken leg and the loss of your best friend in the same accident. You would not only be dealing with the pain of your broken bone but also extreme emotional distress.

In other cases, psychological damage may only become apparent after the incident. For instance, your severe facial damage from a car accident may cause you to avoid other people. You could lose your job and your enjoyment of life.

Even if an accident does not harm you physically, it can seriously affect your psychological health. If you witness a loved one’s sudden death, for example, you could develop post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression or anxiety disorder.

Proof of Psychological Damage

To qualify for compensation, your injury must not only result from someone else’s negligence or intent, but it must directly lead to one of the following:

• Impairment
• Mental damage
• Suffering
• Emotional pain
• Dysfunction
• Exacerbation of a pre-existing psychological condition

A psychological injury is harder to substantiate than physical wounds, so legal representation is a must. A medical examination and psychological evaluation are essential to your psychological injury attorney in proving mental damages, either when negotiating a compensation settlement or building your case in court.

If you do have a visible physical injury from the accident, such as extensive scarring or a missing limb, others are more likely to acknowledge your psychological damage. Also, you stand a better chance of winning full compensation if your mental injury is severe.

Psychological Injury at Work

A stressful work environment can lead to significant damage to your psyche. If the pressure to perform or interpersonal conflict is causing you to be anxious, unable to sleep or incapable of properly fulfilling your work assignments, you may qualify for workman’s compensation. Also, if you experience a trauma outside of working hours that prevents you from doing your job, you may also be covered.

Get Legal Help in California

When you are claiming a psychological injury, you must meet strict criteria to qualify for financial compensation. Also, specific requirements vary from state to state. You should not try to go it alone. If you reside in California, get in touch with us at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting today. Take a moment to complete our online contact form, or call us at 888-292-8888 to schedule a free consultation. Our caring, compassionate psychological injury attorney will fight for your right to receive full compensation.