Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims in Auto Accident Cases

Assessing Damages, Proving Claims, Leveraging Experts

Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar with Q&A

Conducted on Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Recorded event now available

or call 1-800-926-7926
Course Materials

This CLE course will provide guidance to personal injury attorneys for identifying signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in car accident victims and pursuing appropriate compensation. The panel will discuss best practices for proving PTSD claims and assessing damages, including engaging medical experts to prove the PTSD diagnosis is accurate and the PSTD was caused or exacerbated by the car accident.

Description

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, a substantial number of victims of vehicle accidents suffer from PTSD, major depression and anxiety disorders after the wreck. If PTSD is diagnosed early enough, it can be treated with behavior therapy, cognitive therapy and medications.

Personal injury attorneys representing car accident victims must be proficient in recognizing the signs of PTSD and laying the groundwork to prove that the auto accident caused or exacerbated PTSD. Counsel must also be savvy at valuing a PTSD claim, which can include compensation for medical treatment and rehabilitation; therapy, counseling and medications; lost wages and loss of future income; pain and suffering and punitive damages.

Expert witnesses play a critical role in establishing causation and assessing damages in auto accident cases alleging PTSD. To maximize the effectiveness of expert witnesses, personal injury counsel should carefully vet the expert and coach them through discovery, deposition and cross-examination. Counsel must also evaluate the weight of the expert’s testimony and take steps to ensure the expert’s opinions will clear all evidentiary hurdles.

Listen as our panel of experienced personal injury attorneys examines the unique legal and practical challenges involved with pursuing damages for PTSD following a motor vehicle accident. The panel will discuss tactics for proving causation and assessing damages, working with experts, and approaching settlement negotiations with insurance companies.

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Outline

  1. Identifying the signs and symptoms of PTSD in auto accident victims
  2. Proving causation and assessing damages
    1. Using experts to establish causation and damages
    2. Cross-examining the defendant’s expert witness
  3. Settlement negotiations with insurance adjusters

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What challenges do personal injury counsel face in proving PTSD claims?
  • What factors should personal injury counsel consider in determining the monetary value of a claim?
  • What are best practices for working with experts to establish causation and damages for claims?
  • What are best practices for negotiating settlements with insurance companies related to claims?

Faculty

Neufeld, Jason
Jason Neufeld, Esq.
Neufeld Kleinberg & Pinkiert

Mr. Neufeld represents seriously injured clients in a variety of claims, including auto accidents, security and...  |  Read More

Sheorn, Keyhill
Dr. Keyhill Sheorn, M.D.

Dr. Sheorn is a general psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and is...  |  Read More

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Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

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