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When most people think of personal injury cases, physical injuries first come to mind. Many times, these cases are based solely on these injuries. However, psychological injuries can be just as debilitating and deserve equal attention in the realm of personal injury law. At PEAK Forensic Psych Services, we specialize in comprehensive forensic psychological evaluations that help assess, document, and substantiate the psychological impact of injurious and traumatic incidents. Our expert evaluations provide objective, evidence-based assessments that are critical for understanding the holistic impact suffered by an individual and support legal proceedings and claims by ensuring that psychological injuries and trauma are recognized and compensated appropriately.
Psychological injuries encompass a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorders and other conditions. Recognizing the full spectrum of trauma-related disorders and the impact of psychological and emotional distress arising from an injury is essential in advocating for proper legal recognition. Our psychologists utilize highly reliable and valid, standardized psychological measures that help conceptualize and validate
conditions often seen in personal injury cases.
A formal diagnosis from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist is crucial in substantiating a legal claim for psychological injury. Our forensic evaluations utilize DSM-5 criteria and include ICD-10 diagnostic codes, ensuring a scientifically grounded and legally defensible assessment of the client’s mental health.
Psychological trauma can significantly impair daily functioning, affecting work, relationships, and overall well-being. Thorough documentation through psychological evaluations, review of relevant records, personal journals, witness statements, and collateral interviews help demonstrate the severity of the psychological injury.
Medical documentation plays a critical role in personal injury claims. Psychological symptoms should be reported alongside physical injuries to create a clear connection between the traumatic event and its emotional impact, as well as identify whether or not a psychological injury was directly cause by a specific event. Our expert reports ensure that all psychological injuries are formally documented and included in medical and legal records.
Court proceedings often require expert witness testimony to explain the nature and impact of psychological injuries. Our team of experienced psychologists has over 40 years of courtroom testimony experience, providing clear, credible, and compelling testimony that strengthens legal arguments.
Many psychological injuries require long-term therapy, psychiatric care, and medication management. Our evaluations can help to calculate current and future psychological treatment costs, ensuring that compensation includes ongoing mental health care expenses.
Unlike some physical injuries, psychological trauma and injury can have permanent effects on an individual’s life. Our assessments and expert opinions helpillustrate the chronic nature of psychological injuries, supporting claims for long-term compensation.
Legal precedents play a significant role in the recognition of emotional and psychological damage in personal injury cases. Our psychologists may reference previous legal cases, psychological research, and established diagnostic criteria to support claims and advocate for appropriate compensation.
Psychological trauma may not manifest immediately—it can take weeks, months, or even years to fully develop. Seeking a psychological evaluation as soon as symptoms appear can be essential; however, psychological evaluations conducted at a later time often provide diagnostic clarity after an individual’s early challenges have begun to settle.
Yes. Courts recognize that psychological trauma can exist independently of physical injuries. A formal forensic evaluation can establish the causal link between the traumatic event and its psychological impact.
Seeking treatment strengthens your case, it demonstrates the validity and severity of your psychological injury. Courts and insurance companies are more likely to recognize claims that include documented therapy, psychological, neuropsychological and psychiatric evaluations.
At PEAK Forensic Psych Services, we specialize in psychological evaluations for personal injury, criminal, civil, and family law cases. Our experienced PSYPACT credentialed psychologists can provide expert virtual assessments across all PSYPACT participating states. With over 40 years of experience conducting
clinical and forensic evaluations, treatment and providing courtroom testimony, we ensure that justifiable psychological injuries receive the recognition and
compensation they deserve.
