Much of my work as a personal injury lawyer has been dedicated to helping people recover from a serious injury- a sudden onset of injury that requires extended medical treatments and rehabilitation.
While the medical recovery is always the priority in a case involving a serious injury, the legal recovery is important. This is especially true in cases where the injury results in longer-range consequences.
In handling a wide variety of cases over 30 years, I have gained an elevated understanding on the loss of quality of life associated with a serious injury. Beyond the pain, discomfort, and physical restrictions, it is very important to understand the hidden psychological changes that occur after a traumatic injury.
The Psychological Toll of a Serious Injury
Individuals who have experienced a traumatic injury that involves extended medical treatment and rehabilitation, often grapple with a range of intense and distressing feelings. Fear, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of vulnerability may become constant companions, reshaping their emotional stability.
Moreover, the psychological toll of trauma can manifest in mood disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. This can further complicate the recovery process and lead to a permanent loss in well-being.
Common psychological symptoms after an injury that results in an extended period of recovery include:
- Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- Reduced motivation toward work, household, and family responsibilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Continuous low mood or sadness
- Lower self-esteem
Final Thoughts
In working with persons who have suffered a more serious injury, the trauma can cause them to reshape the way they perceive themselves and the world around them. As the medical recovery becomes more extended and they are struggling to deal with continuous discomfort and physical restrictions, an injured person can be prone to developing a sense of hopelessness.
Understanding the psychological toll of a more serious injury is vital for developing empathetic and effective approaches to help advance the medical recovery. Ultimately, as it relates to my legal representation, it is my hope that a fair and full legal recovery will help my client receive the continued professional help they need to reclaim their quality of life.
About Attorney Doug Horn
Doug is founder and Lead Attorney of The Horn Law Firm, P.C. where he concentrates in cases involving head, neck, back, orthopedic, neurological, and other traumatic injuries that require extended medical care and rehabilitation.
Since 1992, Doug has maintained a track record of success in a wide variety of personal injury cases, including cases involving motor vehicle collisions, work accidents, and injuries caused by dangerous or hazardous conditions. Based in Independence Missouri, Doug represents injured persons in Missouri, Kansas, and across the Midwest.
Outside of his law practice, Doug frequently lectures in the area of personal injury law, giving legal education presentations for national attorney audiences. Most recently, his presentations have focused on new approaches to proving both economic and non-economic damages.
