PTSD and Construction Accidents in New York, NY

Not every injury from a New York City construction accident is a physical one. Serious accidents also trigger strong emotional reactions – such as fright – that are a natural part of the body’s response to stress. But for some people, those anxious feelings can grow beyond normal limits into a serious mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD wreaks havoc on victims’ lives by keeping them in a constant state of fear, impairing their ability to function in the world and, in extreme cases, leading to suicidal or homicidal tendencies.

If you have been diagnosed with PTSD following a New York City construction accident, contact the knowledgeable and compassionate injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, PC. Our lawyers understand mental health legal claims and can help PTSD sufferers recover money to help pay the costs of treatment, lost wages and other hardships incurred from PTSD.

It’s easy to get help. Simply call 212-279-2000 or go online to schedule a free consultation. Our New York City personal injury lawyers serve clients throughout New York City, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs after someone experiences or witnesses a life-threatening event. The National Institute for Mental Health describes PTSD as a condition that changes or damages the “fight or flight” response, which can lead to inappropriate emotional responses to everyday situations. More than 5 million Americans suffer from PTSD during any given year, according to the National Center for PTSD.

About half of the nation’s population experiences a traumatic event during their lifetimes, but only 7-8 percent of them will develop PTSD. There are a variety of symptoms associated with the illness:

  • Re-experiencing the event: Injured construction workers with PTSD may have strong reactions to things that remind them of the accident and suffer from frequent flashbacks, nightmares and repeated memories of the traumatic event.
  • Avoidance behaviors: PTSD sufferers may block memories of the accident or avoid activities that remind them of the accident. Other symptoms include numbness, detachment, disinterest in daily life and depression.
  • Arousal: People with PTSD may be irritable, startle easily, overreact to normal situations, have emotional outbursts and sleep problems.

How PTSD Can Affect Construction Workers

Construction workers who get hurt on New York City worksites should see a doctor as soon as they begin noticing signs of emotional distress. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but to be diagnosed with PTSD, you must have had:

  • At least one “re-experiencing the event” symptom for 30 days or longer;
  • At least three avoidance symptoms;
  • At least two arousal symptoms;
  • Other symptoms that make it difficult to complete activities of daily life, such as going to work or interacting with others.

Treatment for PTSD can involve psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of therapies as prescribed by your doctor.

Construction Liability And PTSD

PTSD is a true psychiatric injury that is compensable under the law. If you developed PTSD after being injured or witnessing a serious accident on a New York construction site, the key to obtaining compensation will be determining that someone else’s negligence played a role in causing your condition. It also will require strong psychiatric evidence. A New York City construction injury attorney with experience in handling PTSD claims will work with experts to evaluate your mental health symptoms and how they are related to your accident.

Contact Our New York PTSD Construction Injury Attorneys Now

Living with PTSD can be truly disabling. Let David Resnick & Associates, PC, help you obtain compensation so that you can get the treatment you need without worrying about how to make ends meet. For a free consultation, call 212-279-2000 or complete our online form today. We accept cases from the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Long Island.

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