PTSD in Personal Injury Claims | Carabin Shaw Midland-Odessa

April 13, 2025
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Personal Injury Claims

Carabin Shaw | Midland-Odessa Personal Injury Attorneys

When most people think of personal injury claims, they immediately focus on physical injuries—broken bones, burns, or spinal damage. However, not all injuries are visible. Many accident victims in Midland and Odessa suffer from something just as debilitating: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This psychological condition can affect a person’s quality of life long after their physical injuries have healed.

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At Carabin Shaw, we believe that emotional and psychological suffering should be treated with the same seriousness as physical pain. For more than 33 years, we’ve helped personal injury victims across Texas recover full compensation—including damages for PTSD and related mental trauma. If you or a loved one is struggling after a traumatic accident, understanding your legal rights is the first step toward justice and recovery.

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This guide will explain what PTSD is, how it relates to personal injury law, and what you can expect if you’re considering filing a claim in the Midland-Odessa area.

What Is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it is commonly associated with military combat, PTSD frequently affects victims of:

  • Car and truck accidents

  • Oilfield explosions

  • Workplace injuries

  • Fires and burn incidents

  • Physical assaults or violent crimes

  • Severe falls or crushing injuries

  • Catastrophic accidents involving loss of life

PTSD symptoms vary but often include:

  • Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the event

  • Nightmares or insomnia

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma (e.g., driving, certain locations)

  • Emotional numbness or detachment

  • Irritability or angry outbursts

  • Depression or suicidal thoughts

Left untreated, PTSD can interfere with a victim’s ability to work, maintain relationships, or enjoy life. At Carabin Shaw, we recognize the lasting impact of this condition and work with mental health professionals to document its effects as part of your injury claim.

Can PTSD Be Part of a Personal Injury Claim?

Yes, it absolutely can. In Texas, personal injury law allows victims to pursue non-economic damages for emotional distress and psychological injuries—including PTSD—when they are the result of another party’s negligence or misconduct.

To be successful, you must prove:

  • The PTSD developed as a direct result of the accident

  • The at-fault party’s actions caused the traumatic event

  • You have been formally diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed professional

  • The condition has negatively affected your life

This is where experienced legal counsel becomes essential. PTSD can be difficult to prove without strong documentation and expert testimony. At Carabin Shaw, we gather psychiatric evaluations, therapy records, and testimony from doctors and mental health professionals to validate your claim and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Common Accidents That Lead to PTSD

In Midland and Odessa, many PTSD claims stem from traumatic events such as:

  • High-speed vehicle collisions or multi-car pileups

  • Explosions or fires on oilfields or industrial job sites

  • Truck accidents involving fatalities or disfigurement

  • Workplace accidents that leave victims injured or trapped

  • Violent incidents, such as assaults or criminal negligence

  • Catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disability

Even witnessing such events, without being physically injured, can lead to PTSD. For example, if you watched a coworker die in an oilfield explosion, or were a passenger in a horrific crash, the psychological trauma could support a valid personal injury claim.

What Compensation Is Available for PTSD?

Just like physical injuries, emotional trauma carries both financial and personal costs. Victims suffering from PTSD may be entitled to several forms of compensation, including:

  • Medical expenses (therapy, counseling, psychiatric medications)

  • Lost wages (if PTSD prevents you from working)

  • Loss of future earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Loss of companionship or relationship strain

Carabin Shaw’s legal team builds comprehensive and individualized claims that account for both economic and non-economic damages. We fight to ensure that your emotional suffering is fully recognized and fairly compensated.

How PTSD Affects a Personal Injury Case

Claims involving PTSD often face more scrutiny than those involving visible injuries. Insurance companies may argue that:

  • PTSD is exaggerated or fabricated

  • The condition existed before the accident

  • The symptoms are too vague to prove

  • The trauma wasn’t severe enough to cause PTSD

That’s why having an experienced attorney is crucial. At Carabin Shaw, we:

  • Connect you with trusted mental health professionals

  • Secure diagnoses and treatment documentation

  • Collaborate with experts who can testify on your behalf

  • Present compelling evidence that your condition is real and directly linked to the accident

We take these cases seriously because we understand how life-changing PTSD can be. Our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure that insurers, judges, and juries take your emotional injuries just as seriously.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a PTSD Claim?

Yes. Psychological injury claims are among the most complex in personal injury law. Unlike broken bones or burns, PTSD cannot be seen on an X-ray or scan. It requires specialized legal and medical knowledge to prove.

Carabin Shaw has over three decades of experience handling both physical and emotional injury cases. We know how to build persuasive cases, negotiate with insurance companies, and—when necessary—take your case to trial. Our goal is simple: to ensure you are treated with the dignity and respect you deserve, and that you receive compensation that reflects the full impact of your suffering.

Why Choose Carabin Shaw in Midland-Odessa?

If you’re struggling with PTSD after a traumatic accident, you need more than legal representation—you need a team that truly understands what you’re going through. Here’s why victims in Midland and Odessa trust Carabin Shaw:

  • Over 33 years of experience in personal injury law

  • Millions recovered for clients across Texas

  • 24/7 availability and free case evaluations

  • Bilingual staff (Se habla español)

  • No fees unless we win your case

  • Deep knowledge of local industries, courts, and accident types

From oilfield explosions to serious car accidents, we’ve represented victims through some of the most traumatic situations imaginable—and we know how to help you move forward.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

PTSD is real, and it deserves real justice. If you’ve been emotionally and psychologically impacted by a traumatic accident, you don’t have to suffer in silence—and you don’t have to fight alone.

Call Carabin Shaw today at 1-800-862-1260 or visit www.carabinshaw.com to schedule your free consultation. We’re ready to listen, support, and advocate for you every step of the way.

Your emotional recovery matters. Let us help you secure the peace of mind, compensation, and closure you deserve.

personal injury attorneys, personal injury law