Proving Emotional and Psychological Trauma

People most often associate pain and injury with physical ailments. However, many instances of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and workplace discrimination affect people’s minds as much, if not more, than their bodies. Here are the important elements of proving emotional and psychological trauma.

Personal Experience

The foundation of the proof regarding psychological trauma rests on your personal experience. If you have not felt or cannot adequately explicate your emotional distress and continuing psychological symptoms, you will not have a legitimate case. It may feel daunting to describe in exacting detail the psychological trauma you experienced in the past and how it affects you today, especially given the severity and sensitivity of the event. Work with a lawyer or trusted friend to write out the pertinent details and experiences of the event. If you process the information beforehand, you will be more confident and equipped to testify in court.

Corroborative Testimony

We all have our personal biases, and the legal system knows this. Though you perceive emotional distress and feel traumatized, in a court of law, there must be corroborative testimony that your experiences caused a notable difference. Close friends, family, and even coworkers are great resources to provide this testimony—they know you and can attest to the alteration in your behavior and mood. Work with a lawyer to determine the best people to request this testimony from.

Medical Validation

Similar to corroborative testimony, medical validation will bolster your claims of psychological trauma. There is no doubt that your emotional symptoms and experiences are real. However, you must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are dealing with the full reality of your trauma, and medical validation is fundamental in this process. Whether you receive this medical input from a therapist, psychiatrist, or primary doctor, you must present an accredited medical witness with qualifications to diagnose psychological injuries. This professional can assess your psychological symptoms, present them to a jury, and provide a stamp of approval on your condition.

Know the ins and outs of proving emotional and psychological trauma to prepare with your attorney. Psychological damages are no less significant, even if they are, in many ways, physically undetectable. You deserve equitable resolution, and you’ll need quality legal aid to get it. If you or a loved one are psychologically distressed due to an incident, contact us at Rossman Law Group today to connect with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney in Boise, Idaho.