Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is nothing new. However, only recently has it started to be understood and properly diagnosed as a serious disorder. It is now recognised sufferers need compassionate and professional care to help overcome the crippling symptoms they may be experiencing through no fault of their own.
With the disorder affecting as many as 1 in 10 people in the UK, and an estimated 230,000 new referrals in England each year, PTSD is far more common than you may think. If you suffer from PTSD as a result of being involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know.
What is PTSD?
PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is an anxiety disorder that people may develop after experiencing or witnessing something extremely stressful or frightening. In the past PTSD may have been thought of as a condition that affected those who have served in the armed forces, but anyone who goes through a severe trauma can be affected.
A diagnosis of PTSD can only be made if a person believes they have faced a risk of serious or life threatening injury or witnessed an event that was extremely distressing. However, even if hindsight reveals that the actual risk of injury or death was lower than perceived at the time, the individual can still develop PTSD.
PTSD symptoms vary, but often include:
- Vivid flashbacks that make the traumatic event feel like it’s happening again.
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma, which could be places, people, or activities that bring back memories.
- Feeling constantly ‘on edge,’ with a sense of increased alertness.
- Depression and withdrawal.
- In children, symptoms may include bedwetting and separation anxiety.
Not everyone that experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD – the disorder affects around one in three people who experience severe trauma, and symptoms can appear immediately after the event or months and even years later. If you notice these signs and symptoms in yourself or those closest to you, getting help as soon as possible can make a huge difference in recovery.
Understanding the causes of PTSD
The condition can affect people at any stage of their life, whether the triggering events happened during childhood or adulthood. The impact of these experiences can be profound and last for a long time. Here are some of the more common triggers of PTSD:
Assault – Experiencing an assault can dramatically affect an individual’s mental health and lead to PTSD. The event could be a robbery, burglary from the home, physical or sexual assault. Victims can struggle with flashbacks and a persistent sense of vulnerability that make it difficult to continue living their life as they did before the incident. If your PTSD stems from assault due to another party’s criminal actions, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
Workplace-related – PTSD can develop after a serious workplace incident, whether you were directly involved or a witness. If an event caused by your employer’s negligence leads to PTSD, such as a failure to maintain a safe working environment, you could have grounds to make a claim for PTSD. Not only does this apply to employees, but also contractors, and even visitors to the site.
Childhood trauma – PTSD can also be caused by traumatic events in childhood, such as physical or sexual abuse, or severe neglect. This may not be apparent until many years later, however the symptoms are no less debilitating. Those affected can begin a compensation claim between the ages of 18 and 21, while a parent or guardian has until their 18th birthday to make a claim on their behalf.
Military trauma – PTSD is unfortunately quite common in the military, often stemming from intense combat experiences or serious accidents during service. If you’re suffering from PTSD due to inadequate support or negligence, or indeed from an accident which occurred in a non-combat situation, you might be eligible for compensation. The financial support you could receive from compensation will help cover treatment costs and ease the economic pressures you might face while recovering.
Road traffic accidents – Experiencing or witnessing a serious road traffic accident can lead to emotional and physical trauma, potentially resulting in PTSD. Whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist, if the accident wasn’t your fault, you might have a valid claim for compensation.
Are you eligible to make a PTSD personal injury claim?
If you are suffering from PTSD due to an event caused by someone else’s negligence – whether it was a road traffic accident, workplace assault, medical negligence, or an incident in the military, you might be entitled to make a compensation claim. PTSD can occur after any traumatic event where the duty of care was breached.
At Injury Lawyers 4U, we’ll guide you through the process of proving that your PTSD was triggered by another party’s actions. Our skilled legal team will help you collect all the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
Treatment options for PTSD
Living with PTSD can significantly impact your life, but there are a number of treatments and therapies that can help in managing and often improving symptoms. These are some of the treatment options that are known to be effective:
Exposure Therapy: This involves facing the trauma you’ve experienced in a safe and controlled setting to help reduce your fear and distress.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of therapy that helps you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy uses guided eye movements to help you process and make sense of your traumatic memories.
Medications: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) are types of antidepressants that can relieve PTSD symptoms.
Additionally, you can find support online or join local support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges. Your GP can provide more information on PTSD and guide you towards the appropriate treatment options for you.
PTSD compensation claim process
Choosing to pursue a claim for PTSD compensation can seem a little daunting. However, at Injury Lawyers 4U, we’re committed to guiding you every step of the way with full support and clarity.
The claim journey begins when you contact Injury Lawyers 4U for a free consultation. During this initial discussion, we’ll assess how viable your claim is and offer you tailored advice on the best way forward.
If you decide to go ahead, we’ll then begin to assist with gathering evidence to build as robust a case as possible. This will include arranging a medical examination with an independent specialist. This expert will evaluate your condition, detail the extent of your PTSD, and prescribe any necessary treatment.
Once we’ve gathered all the evidence available, we’ll submit your claim to the party we think is responsible for the accident. We’ll handle all communications with them, so you can focus on your recovery. When we receive a response from them or their representatives, we will begin negotiations. If they decide to contest their liability, we may need to investigate further to reinforce your claim.
The final stage of the claim process involves reaching a settlement with the other party. While most cases are resolved without the need for a court appearance, your solicitor will be fully prepared to represent you in court if necessary. Once a settlement is agreed, you should receive compensation in up to four weeks.
Time limit to make a PTSD claim
If you’re considering making a PTSD personal injury claim, it’s important to act quickly. Generally, you have three years from the date of the traumatic event to start your claim. If your symptoms do not develop until later you may be able to extend that to 3 years from your date of knowledge that you were suffering from PTSD. However, the rules vary slightly for childhood trauma. If you’re bringing a claim for PTSD brought on by a traumatic event in your childhood, you have until your 21st birthday to make a claim, starting from when you turn 18.
For those under 18, parents can make a claim on their behalf. Lastly, if the person suffering from PTSD has a mental incapacity, there’s no time limit to submit a claim.
No win no fee
If you are suffering from PTSD, the last thing you need is additional financial pressure. We offer no win no fee arrangements to our clients which allow you access to justice without have to come up with money up front. To talk further about your PTSD and the possibility of claiming compensation, please phone our team on 0333 400 4445 or fill in our contact form. We will take the time to listen to your story and evaluate whether or not it is worth proceeding with a claim for compensation.
