Following an accident in North Georgia and Tennessee, survivors should quickly address their physical injuries, such as burns and broken bones. But just because you cannot see or feel emotional or psychological trauma does not mean it is not present.
In fact, symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder can have long-term effects if untreated. If you are dealing with psychological and physical injuries, filing as soon as possible is the best option.
Emotional distress is not limited to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and can be caused by various other accidents. In observance of Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, we review how emotional trauma can impact an injury claim for residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Woodstock and Cartersville in North Georgia.
Legal Basics of Emotional and Mental Trauma
In the states of Georgia and Tennessee, accident victims may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, depending on the specifics of their case. These damages cover the costs needed to recover after suffering a catastrophic injury caused by incidents like car accidents, dog bites or critical falls in North Georgia or Tennessee.
Economic Damages include:
- Medical bills (both current and future)
- Lost wages from missed work due to injury
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are not as easily quantifiable. They are meant to compensate for the intangible harms suffered by the victim.
Non-economic Damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish/emotional distress/Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of consortium/companionship due to injury
Emotional trauma can be nearly as crippling as a physical injury. If left unrecognized or not diagnosed, it can prevent you from engaging in your regular activities – such as driving or leaving the house – and thus, limit your independence.
A North Georgia Injury Lawyer Who Understands Emotional Trauma
One of the biggest challenges of injury litigation is demonstrating the plaintiffs’ mental anguish since these symptoms can first emerge from days to months after filing a claim.
Meet with an injury lawyer in Woodstock and Cartersville, GA or Chattanooga, TN to discuss your symptoms. An experienced North Georgia injury lawyer will have represented hundreds of clients who suffered similar injuries, and guide you on the proper ways to seek treatment for emotional trauma.
Do not let out-of-pocket costs deter you from a full mental and physical recovery. By getting the psychological help needed to heal, your lawyer will understand full extent of your injury and seek accurate compensation for past and ongoing treatment.
Mental Distress and PTSD Symptoms
Neglecting emotional well-being can lead to exacerbation of symptoms, and it’s not uncommon for one condition to compound the effects of another. For instance, if PTSD progresses to the point of impeding your daily activities, feelings of positivity and motivation could diminish and you may find yourself experiencing symptoms of depression. This is one of the many symptoms that co-exist with PTSD along with anxiety and even substance abuse.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes the most common symptoms of PTSD:
- Re-experiencing type symptoms, such as recurring, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories, which can include flashbacks of the trauma, bad dreams and intrusive thoughts.
- Avoidance, which can include staying away from certain places or objects that are reminders of the traumatic event. A person might actively avoid a place or person that might activate overwhelming symptoms.
- Cognitive and mood symptoms, which can include trouble recalling the event, negative thoughts about one’s self. A person may also feel numb, guilty, worried or depressed and have difficulty remembering the traumatic event. Cognitive symptoms can in some instances extend to include out-of-body experiences or feeling that the world is "not real" (derealization).
- Arousal symptoms, such as hypervigilance. Examples might include being intensely startled by stimuli that resembles the trauma, trouble sleeping or outbursts of anger.
Pritchard Injury Firm Supports Brain Injury Awareness Month
NAMI notes that about 37% of the 9 million American adults diagnosed with PTSD are classified as having severe symptoms, with women significantly more likely to experience PTSD than men.
Pritchard Injury Firm encourages everyone to observe Brain Injury Awareness Month in March by visiting the following organizations:
Your GA/TN Injury Lawyer
Filing a claim quickly after an accident and consulting with an injury lawyer in North Georgia or Tennessee will help maximize the value for the treatment of emotional trauma and PTSD. This also aids the lawyer when holding a liable party accountable and projecting non-economic damages.
If you’re grappling with PTSD or any related emotional challenges, please know that you’re not alone. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and Pritchard Injury Firm is here to provide the compassionate legal and emotional support you deserve. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation.