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Psychological Trauma Claims
How much compensation for psychological trauma?
While the majority of personal injury claims are for physical injuries, it is also possible to claim compensation for psychological trauma. Like with physical injury claims, to claim for psychological damage, your injury must have been directly caused by a traumatic incident that occurred because of someone else’s negligence. There is also a limitation period of three years.
Psychological injuries are often caused by sudden traumatic or stressful events outside the realm of ordinary experiences, such as a road traffic accident or criminal assault. These injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorder, can have life-changing effects that are sometimes more debilitating than a physical condition.
Psychological trauma claims usually accompany or form part of claims for physical injury but can also exist on their own. For a psychological trauma claim to be valid, the symptoms of the condition must persist for weeks or even months following the traumatic incident that caused it.
Who can claim for psychological trauma?
There are two types of psychological trauma victims: primary victims and secondary victims. The majority of claimants are primary victims although some secondary victims are also able to claim compensation.
Please note: if you are suffering from a psychological condition that has not arisen following a sudden traumatic incident and you do not meet the criteria below, you will not be eligible to claim.
PRIMARY VICTIMS
Primary victims are people who are directly involved in an incident and have suffered psychological trauma as a result of someone’s negligent actions. Even if you weren’t physically injured, if there was a threat of serious injury that has caused you to suffer psychologically, you may have the right to claim. For instance, if you were a cyclist who was nearly hit by an oncoming bus, you would be able to claim for any mental injury the traumatic incident caused.
SECONDARY VICTIMS
Secondary victims are individuals who suffer a psychological reaction to witnessing first-hand a serious accident or near-miss involving a loved one. In order for a secondary victim to make a claim, they must meet the following criteria:
- They must have a close tie of love and affection with the primary victim of the accident. This usually means that it is their parent, child, spouse or partner who is injured or nearly injured.
- They must have been at the scene of the incident or the immediate aftermath; they cannot make a claim for any injury they suffer after learning of the accident or their loved one’s injuries.
- Negligence has to have been proven on behalf of the primary victim of the incident.
Symptoms
The symptoms of psychological trauma vary depending upon the specific condition. For PTSD, they can include flashbacks, emotional avoidance and sleep deprivation. On the other hand, people with depression are persistently low in mood, have no motivation or interest in anything, while anxiety sufferers have intense feelings of worry and physical effects such as heart palpitations or dizziness.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN EXISTING CONDITION?
If you have an existing mental condition, for your claim to be valid, its symptoms must have substantially worsened as a direct result of the traumatic incident.
The process of claiming for psychological trauma
Because of the complex nature of psychological injuries, these claims can be more complicated than physical injury claims and there are a number of specific criteria that must be met. During the claims process, you will usually meet with a psychiatrist who will clinically assess the extent and prognosis of your illness as well as any treatment that is required.
The success of your case will depend on the integrity of the psychiatric assessment, the quality of the associated medical notes and whether they support the account you provide as part of your claim.
Psychological trauma claims compensation
The severity of your symptoms as well as the effect your injury has had on life and work will be taken into consideration when determining the value of your case. The compensation you receive will also reflect any loss of earnings you have experienced and will help to recover the cost of treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is not available on the NHS.
As every case is different with its own set of unique circumstances, each claim will be considered on an individual basis. However, there are general parameters that will usually be observed for different levels of psychological trauma:
LEVEL OF INJURY
POTENTIAL COMPENSATION
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Severe psychological trauma includes psychological injuries that have had a significant effect on an individual’s ability to cope with both life and work and on their familial relationships and friendships. These injuries often leave patients vulnerable in their future life and cannot always be successfully treated.
£43,710 – £92,240
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Moderately severe psychological trauma usually has a more positive prognosis but there will still be evidence of the above factors in the person affected.
£15,200 – £43,710
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People with moderate psychological trauma usually have a good prognosis although close relationships may still be affected.
£4,670 – £15,200.
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In less severe cases of psychological trauma, an individual’s ability to cope with everyday life is assessed as well as the period of time that they have suffered. Less severe cases are often brought as part of claims for minor physical injuries arising as a result of road traffic accidents, for example.
£1,220 – £4,670
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Post-traumatic stress disorder claims, while they are a kind of psychological trauma claim, are assessed in a category of their own.
From £3,150 for a less severe case, up to £80,250 for the most serious cases.
Claiming for psychological trauma with First Personal Injury
If you believe you have suffered a psychological trauma following a traumatic incident involving you or your loved one, you may be able to claim compensation. You may be entitled to compensation for a range of compensation claims under accident claims. Our experts will help assess your potential claim going forwards and provide you with proficient advice. Contact First Personal Injury to discuss your potential compensation claim today by ringing 0333 358 2345 or by filling out the online claims form.
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Get in touch with First Personal Injury on 0333 358 2345 or through our claim online form.