Many personal injuries can result in psychological damage that can sometimes last longer than physical injury.
When making a personal injury claim, you may also be eligible to claim compensation for emotional stress and mental anguish directly caused by the negligence or maliciously wilful act of others. Psychological damage can include post-traumatic stress, neurological problems, epilepsy and psychiatric damage.
However, psychological personal injury claims can be more difficult to prove than a physical injury claim.
Here’s a look at the types of psychological personal injuries and what you need to know before pursuing a claim.
Factors
In a personal injury claim process, the following factors will be considered:
- The impact on your ability to cope in your day-to-day life, both at home and work
- How your relationships with friends, family and colleagues have been affected
- Treatment you’re receiving for your condition
- Medical prognosis
- What medical advice has been sought.
Evidence
Hard evidence is needed to pursue a psychological damages claim. These can include:
- Doctors’ reports
- Personal journals on the progression of your condition
- Medication you are taking for the condition
- Supporting testimonies from friends and family.
If your case is successful, the amount of compensation granted will depend on the severity of the damage.
Examples
The most common examples of psychological damage claims are:
- Road traffic accidents – resulting in post-traumatic stress, chronic pain that can lead to depression, neurological problems.
- Child abuse – adults who suffered abuse as a child can claim compensation from abusers and also local authorities that failed in their duty of care.
- Workplace – clinical depression as the direct result of work-related stress ranging from overwhelming workloads and poor working conditions to bullying and harassment, and negligence of the employer to provide a duty of care.
For more information on personal injury claims, contact Mark Reynolds Solicitors today.