Premises liability accidents, like slip and fall accidents, can cause serious physical injuries. Unfortunately, one rarely discussed side effect of premises liability accidents is the mental harm these incidents can cause the injured person. Psychological injuries are common, yet a stigma is still associated with discussing mental health, even after a significant accident. Call our Attorneys for Psychological Injuries today if you suffer emotionally from an accident that wasn't your fault. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their property is safe for all visitors and guests. When a dangerous condition is not addressed and causes an accident, the victim may be able to recover compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, victims with psychological injuries may not understand those injuries are also eligible for compensation. The New York premises liability attorneys of Hach & Rose, LLP understand that it may be difficult to come forward and discuss your mental health struggles. Our legal team strives to handle all premises liability cases with compassion and sensitivity. We treat clients with the dignity they deserve while we press forward with holding negligent property owners accountable for the harm they caused. If you have been injured on another person’s property, contact our office at 212-779-0057 to discuss the details of your case with an experienced New York premises liability attorney. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents
Property owners are responsible for providing a safe place for their visitors and guests. That means keeping their property reasonably free from obvious hazards and dangerous conditions. Property owners are also responsible for promptly addressing safety concerns brought to their attention. Maintaining a safe space can result in significant accidents and serious injuries. Some of the most common premises liability accidents are caused by:
Uneven or cracked flooring
Uneven or cracked sidewalks
Loose cords or wires
Unmarked stairs
Stairs without railing or stairs with broken railing
Wet or slippery floors
Loose carpets, rugs, or tiles
Lack of warning signs
Poor maintenance
Poor lighting conditions
Lack of security
If these or other unsafe conditions resulted in an accident, contact a skilled premises liability attorney from Hach & Rose, LLP to discuss the merits of your claim. You may have legal options for recovering valuable compensation for your injuries.
What Are Psychological Injuries?
Psychological injuries are often overlooked in the context of personal injury claims that arise after an injury caused by another’s wrongdoing. While broken bones and head wounds are significant, the value of mental health concerns must not be neglected. Psychological injuries can be devastating and significantly impair an individual’s quality of life following a premises liability accident. What is a psychological injury? Psychological injuries are often the result of a traumatic event, like an accident. A victim's trauma triggers a psychological response or psychiatric condition that degrades a person’s mental health and impacts their quality of life. Psychological injuries can also impact a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks.
Types and Causes of Psychological Injuries
Psychological injuries manifest in different ways and have a variety of causes. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Being involved in a significant premises liability accident and dealing with its aftermath can cause enough stress and emotional turmoil to trigger a psychological injury. One of the most common psychological injuries is post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a mental health condition characterized by fear, anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks of a traumatic incident. Traumatic Brain Injuries The physical trauma of a premises liability accident, like a slip and fall, can also lead to psychological injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists falls as one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Traumatic brain injuries can cause physical and chemical changes in the brain. These changes may result in temporary or permanent psychological issues. Chronic Pain Chronic pain is a medical condition characterized by consistent pain. This pain can last months or even years after a person has “recovered” from the injury that initiated the pain symptoms. Coping with chronic pain can lead to anxiety and depression. These serious psychological issues can cause a person’s mental health to deteriorate and worsen their physical symptoms.
Symptoms of Psychological Injuries Following a Premises Liability Accident
It is normal to experience anger, frustration, anxiety, and even depression after a significant premises liability incident. For a time, accident victims often endure a sense of heightened vulnerability and emotional highs and lows. However, these feelings are generally resolved with time. Emotional responses that persist or worsen can indicate that you suffer psychological injury. After an accident, be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal. If you are experiencing emotional distress, immediately talk to your doctor or mental health professional. You should be alert for symptoms of psychological injuries such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Fear
Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Mood swings
Confusion
Fatigue
Memory loss
Social isolation
Losing interest in favorite hobbies or activities
Obsessive behaviors
Sexual dysfunction or loss of sexual desire
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Sometimes, it is easy to become overwhelmed and ignore your emotional state. After an accident, enlist the help of family and friends and build a strong support network. These people may be able to help you more easily recognize the signs and symptoms of a psychological injury. Contact your doctor or a mental health professional for help if you contemplate taking your own life. There are also several New York organizations you can turn to for assistance:
Contact a New York Premises Liability Lawyer Today
At Hach & Rose, LLP, we recognize the importance of mental health and addressing psychological injuries that result from premises liability accidents. Gaining compensation for psychological injuries can be challenging because they are invisible and don’t leave physical scars. Our New York premises liability attorneys are committed to helping people with psychological injuries from accidents that weren’t their fault build a strong case and recover the compensation they deserve. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, call our office at 212-779-0057 today. We will set you up with a free case evaluation and review your legal options for pursuing compensation for your psychological injuries and other losses.
