Every June, we observe PTSD Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on a serious but often overlooked consequence of trauma: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD is frequently associated with veterans and combat trauma, it can also affect anyone who has survived a traumatic event, including car accidents, workplace injuries, and slip and fall accidents.
If you or a loved one in Louisiana is suffering from PTSD after a personal injury, you’re not alone—and you may be entitled to compensation for both your physical and emotional suffering. At Banck Law, we understand that not all wounds are visible. That’s why we fight for our clients’ full recovery, including the mental and emotional toll that trauma leaves behind.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. While many people recover naturally after a distressing event, others develop long-term symptoms that disrupt daily life, relationships, and even their ability to work.
Common PTSD Symptoms:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Irritability or anger
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response
These symptoms can last for months—or even years—if left untreated.
How PTSD Can Develop After a Personal Injury
Traumatic accidents like car crashes, motorcycle wrecks, pedestrian accidents, or bus collisions can all trigger PTSD. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause serious emotional distress, especially if there was a threat to life or a sudden, shocking experience.
For example:
- A driver in St. Tammany Parish who survives a head-on collision may replay the crash in their mind, reliving the impact.
- A pedestrian struck by a vehicle in New Orleans may experience intense fear just walking near traffic again.
- A worker injured in an industrial accident in Tangipahoa Parish may develop anxiety returning to the job site.
PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a medical condition that deserves serious attention and support.
PTSD and Personal Injury Law in Louisiana
Under Louisiana personal injury law, accident victims are entitled to compensation for both economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (like pain, suffering, and emotional distress).
That means if you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Therapy and mental health treatment
- Prescription medications
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Inability to work or return to your job
- Impact on relationships and social functioning
But to make a strong case, you need documentation and a knowledgeable attorney who understands how to advocate for emotional trauma in addition to physical injuries.
How to Prove PTSD in a Personal Injury Case
Mental and emotional injuries like PTSD are real and recognized under the law, but they’re also harder to prove without the right evidence.
To build a strong PTSD case, Banck Law recommends:
- Getting a formal diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional
- Keeping a journal of your symptoms, triggers, and how PTSD affects your daily life
- Following all treatment plans and attending therapy consistently
- Collecting expert testimony from psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists
- Gathering witness statements from friends, family, or coworkers who can speak to the changes in your behavior
We Understand PTSD—and We’re Here to Help
At Banck Law, we’ve worked with many clients across Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, and greater New Orleans who have suffered invisible injuries after devastating accidents. We know the emotional toll of trauma doesn’t always show up in X-rays or MRIs—but that doesn’t make it any less real.
That’s why we:
- Listen to your story with compassion
- Investigate the full impact of your injury, including psychological harm
- Connect you with expert medical professionals if needed
- Fight for full compensation—including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and future treatment costs
You don’t have to go through this alone—and you deserve a legal team that sees the whole picture.
Have You Been Diagnosed with PTSD After an Accident? Know Your Legal Rights.
If you or a loved one is living with PTSD following a personal injury in Louisiana, you have legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation that helps you pay for counseling, rebuild your life, and hold the responsible party accountable.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your trauma or rush you into a lowball settlement. Let Banck Law advocate for the justice and support you deserve. Call (985) 900-2440 or fill out our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
