Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims in Motor Vehicle Accident and Aviation Cases: Claims, Experts, and Damages

A live 90-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

1:00pm-2:30pm EDT, 10:00am-11:30am PDT

(Alert: Event date has changed from 5/17/2023!)

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This CLE course will provide guidance to attorneys for identifying the diagnostic criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in car, truck, and even aviation accident victims and pursuing appropriate compensation. The panel will discuss best practices for proving and defending PTSD claims and assessing damages, including engaging experts to evaluate a PTSD diagnosis, causation issues and compensatory and non-compensatory damages.

Description

PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorders affect a significant number of persons involved in auto and truck crashes, as well as aviation incidents. Treatments include behavior and cognitive therapy, plus medications--all of which can continue indefinitely and can add up quickly.

Early recognition of PTSD symptoms and claims allows personal injury attorneys representing accident victims to lay the groundwork for proving that the accident caused or exacerbated PTSD, and thereby increase the value of the case and the likelihood of treatment and recovery. Defense counsel have a vested interest in early assessment, correct diagnosis and evaluation of potential damages. Both sides will be focused on issues of causation and compensation for medical treatment and rehabilitation; therapy, counseling, and medications; lost wages and loss of future income; and pain and suffering.

Expert witnesses play a critical role in establishing causation and assessing damages in accident cases alleging PTSD. Both plaintiff and defense counsel will want to carefully vet the experts and ensure that their opinions will be admissible as well as persuasive.

Listen as our panel of experienced PTSD experts and attorneys examines the unique legal and practical challenges involved with pursuing and defending damages for PTSD. The panel will discuss tactics for proving and defending causation and assessing damages, working with experts, and approaching settlement negotiations.

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Outline

  1. Identifying the signs and symptoms of PTSD in accident victims
  2. Proving and defending causation and assessing damages
    1. Using experts to prove or defend causation and damages
    2. Cross-examining PTSD expert witnesses
  3. Settlement negotiations

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

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

Faculty

Harrington, David
David J. Harrington
Partner
Condon & Forsyth

Mr. Harrington's practice is primarily focused on aviation and aerospace law, including accident investigation and...  |  Read More

Gursten, Steven
Steven M. Gursten
Attorney
Michigan Auto Law

Mr. Gursten focuses his practice on serious auto and truck accident injury and wrongful death cases. He frequently...  |  Read More

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You may pre-order a recording to listen at your convenience. Recordings are available 48 hours after the webinar. Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

To find out which recorded format will provide the best CLE option, select your state:

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