PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that leads to anxiety resulting from a litany of traumatic situations such as wartime combat, acts of violence, physical abuse, car accidents, workplace harassment, or racial and ethnic discrimination. If you have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of another’s actions, you might wonder what the average PTSD settlement amount is in California.

Because each PTSD claim is different, assigning an average value to all claims of this nature can prove difficult. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review the details of your claim and determine an appropriate amount for you to pursue. If you or a loved one has PTSD or is suffering from symptoms, you deserve justice and have a right to seek it.

Average PTSD Settlement Amount in California

Common Kinds of Accidents and Injuries That Can Lead to PTSD

There are several types of personal injuries and accidents that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and its litany of symptoms. Some of these personal injuries and accidents can include the following:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Undergoing a significant roadway wreck like a car, motorcycle, or commercial truck accident can be devastating and leave victims with emotional distress.
  • Wrongful Death Cases: The wrongful death of a loved one is a tragic event that can occur due to an individual’s negligence. Those surviving the victim can suffer from emotional trauma and distress, grief, and PTSD as they recover from experiencing their loved one’s death.
  • Animal Attacks: Sustaining injuries from an animal attack can be extremely traumatic and may bring about symptoms of PTSD. This can be especially true if the attack leaves the victim with visible scarring. The nature of these accidents can lead to the victim feeling more threatened in their everyday environment.
  • Medical Trauma: Medical malpractice can leave victims with more than just lingering physical harm. Individuals with PTSD due to medical trauma can feel a loss of control over their own physical well-being and harbor distrust toward members of the medical profession.
  • Nursing Home Abuse: The unfortunate truth is abuse can be common in nursing home settings. This abuse may manifest in physical ways, emotional ways, or in neglect of the elderly.

Common Symptoms of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder can manifest in a multitude of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms. Symptoms of PTSD may include, but are not limited to:

  • Negative and intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
  • Feelings of guilt, anger, shame, and anxiety
  • Unrelenting negative feelings toward oneself, the world, or others
  • A decreased interest or participation in activities once enjoyed
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling detached and estranged from others and the world as a whole
  • Chest pain, stomachaches, or headaches
  • Reckless behavior
  • Insomnia
  • Hypervigilance
  • Intense grief, sadness, or depression
  • Depersonalization or feeling detached from your body
  • Avoiding situations similar to when1q12 the traumatic event occurred

Factors That May Impact the Amount of a PTSD Settlement

There are several factors that may impact the settlement you are able to pursue for PTSD compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can review the details of your claim and help you determine the correct amount to seek by considering the following:

  • The Extent and Severity of Any Injuries Sustained: Your compensation award can be highly dependent on the injuries that were caused by the situation. Traumatic brain injuries or permanent disability or disfigurement may contribute to higher damages held against the liable party.
  • The Loss of Wages or Earning Potential: Symptoms of PTSD can be debilitating and result in lost wages or loss of employment entirely. This loss of wages or even the loss of future earning potential can cause significant harm and financial hardship to a victim and their families.
  • The Impact on the Victim’s Daily Life: Post-traumatic stress disorder can have an impact on almost every area of a victim’s normal life. This can include relationships with friends, family, or coworkers, causing them to lose interest in daily activities or things they might have once enjoyed, or an avoidance of certain things to mitigate stressful memories or reminders of the traumatic experience.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a PTSD Claim in California?

A: In the state of California, the statute of limitations on all personal injury claims, including PTSD claims, is two years from the event in which the injuries occurred. However, if the injury is not found right away, the statute of limitations changes to one year following the discovery of the injury.

Q: What Are the Steps to Prove PTSD and Recover Damages?

A: When seeking the recovery of damages due to PTSD or other personal injury, there are certain steps one should take to ensure one can pursue the correct amount of compensation. These steps include gathering evidence, such as medical bills associated with symptoms or a PTSD diagnosis, or evidence of how the PTSD has affected your relationships, such as bills from couples’ counseling.

Q: How Is PTSD Diagnosed in California?

A: In the state of California, post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed by a medical professional who employs the use of physical examinations and psychological tests. These healthcare professionals can assess whether a victim’s symptoms impact their enjoyment of life, ability to perform daily tasks, and physical body.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a PTSD Case in California?

A: In the state of California, the reality is that each case of PTSD is different, and so is each compensation claim related to the diagnosis. Influential factors may include the extent and severity of the injuries sustained, your attorney’s location, your attorney’s experience level, and the parties who are at fault.

Speak With a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of PTSD or have been diagnosed due to a traumatic event, you have the right to seek compensation. Having a personal injury attorney on your side is vital and can make all the difference in reaching a positive outcome for your claim. Contact the offices of Easton & Easton today to let us review your case and determine the correct course of action for you. You don’t have to do this alone.