Mental Health Injuries Are Real and Compensable
Physical injuries are not the only harm people suffer after an accident. Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and trauma can be just as debilitating, sometimes even more so, than bodily pain.
In Florida, the law recognizes that mental and emotional suffering can have a profound impact on a person’s life. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, a key part of your right to recovery may include compensation for the psychological toll of the accident. A Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer can review your unique circumstance.
Mental Health Issues and Your Right to Recovery
State law allows injured individuals to seek compensation not only for physical injuries, but also for mental and emotional damages. These may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep disturbances
- Grief or emotional anguish from life-changing injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life
To qualify for compensation, these conditions must be connected to the accident and supported by medical or psychological evidence. A diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional can be a powerful part of your claim, too.
Under Florida’s personal injury laws, victims have the right to pursue compensation for all losses caused by another person’s negligence. That includes non-economic damages, which refer to pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
This is important because many people hesitate to acknowledge their emotional struggles after an accident, believing they are not serious enough to pursue. But the law says otherwise. In fact, your right to recovery includes the right to be made whole, and that means recognizing the full extent of your trauma.
The Impact of Mental Health on Daily Life
Mental health concerns can disrupt daily activities, relationships, and the ability to work. A car accident victim may develop anxiety about driving. Someone injured in a slip-and-fall might struggle with depression while coping with chronic pain. Others may have flashbacks, panic attacks, or difficulty performing tasks they once handled easily.
To strengthen a claim involving mental health damages, seek mental health treatment early, including therapy or counseling. Follow through with all recommended appointments is part of the process as well. Keep records of symptoms, diagnoses, and how your daily life has changed. As you move through the healing process, share honest information with your healthcare providers so your records reflect the full picture of your suffering.
Insurance companies often challenge mental health claims, arguing that emotional distress is subjective or unrelated to the accident. A skilled Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer can gather medical records, consult with psychologists or psychiatrists, and present a compelling case that reflects your total losses, not just the visible ones.
Are you hoping that someone will recognize your emotional pain? If you’re struggling after an accident in Florida, you deserve both support and compensation that addresses your full experience. The knowledgeable attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez can guide you through the process and ensure your voice is heard following an injury in a Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart, or Vero Beach accident. Call 561-660-9421.
