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Making a Claim for Post Traumatic Stress

The following is intended as a brief guide to making a claim for Post Traumatic Stress.

What is Post Traumatic Stress

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can affect anybody following a distressing and traumatic event.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD

There are various symptoms of PTSD and the condition can affect everybody differently.

Here are some common symptoms:

• Severe depression, anxiety and phobias
• Headaches, Stomachaches, and chest pains
• Nightmares and flashbacks
• Anger
• Shaking and sweating
• Feeling detached from those around you
• Withdrawal

Symptoms must have lasted for at least 1 month before a diagnosis of PTSD can be made.

What causes PTSD?

There are lots of different causes of PTSD; however here are some common causes of the condition:

• Witnessing life threatening incidents and violence

This may be experienced through your job, for example working in the armed services, or emergency services or in the social services.

• Witnessing or being involved in an accident of some kind

This may be a Road Traffic Accident or another tragic event of some kind.

• Major incidents and disasters

For example plane/ train crashes.

What do I do if I think I am suffering from PTSD?

If you suspect you are suffering from PTSD there are some simple things you can do to help yourself.

• Talking to someone about it will make you make sense of what happened
• Avoid alcohol, which affects your sleep and acts as a depressant
• Take regular exercise, which releases the ‘feel good’ hormones
• Seek professional help. Contact your GP and ask to be referred to a specialist.
• Seek legal advice

How do I make a claim?

The first step would be to contact a member of our team for a free, no obligations chat. They will take some information from you to establish whether you are eligible to make a claim for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

How much will it cost me to make a claim?

It will not cost you a penny. We fund our cases by ‘no win, no fee’ agreements entitling you to 100% compensation. If your case is successful we receive payment of our fees at the end of the claim, directly from the Defendant’s Insurers. We also receive a success fee, this is percentage uplift on your basic costs, and is also paid by the Defendant’s insurer. If your claim is not successful we waive any fees we have incurred on your behalf. We will also ensure that insurance is in place to cover any disbursements which we incur in the process of your claim which would cover these costs if your claim is not successful.

How much compensation is available for PTSD?

There are two limbs to compensation, General Damages and Special Damages.

General Damages are awarded for the pain and suffering endured from the injury.
There are several factors that affect the level of General Damages you will be entitled to. The main factors are how long your symptoms last and how severe the condition is.

Guide to General Damages:

• £4,825 where you recover within a short period of time and have minor symptoms.
• £36,600 to £58,500 where all aspects of you life have been affected and there are permanent effects

Special damages are awarded for financial loss that you suffer as a direct result of your condition. This can include medical costs and loss of earnings.

Making a claim may seem like a daunting task but our expert claims handlers will make your claim as straightforward as possible and support you throughout your claim. We have a national team of claims consultants who will be happy to see you in your home, at work or even in hospital in order to explain matters further and complete the paperwork for you.

Find out now if you have a claim- simply call our freephone 24/7 helpline number 0800 731 2586 or complete the online enquiry form for totally confidential, free, no obligations expert advice.

We offer a ‘no win no fee service’ and you will receive 100% of your compensation.

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