If you’ve suffered a psychological injury following an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Please continue reading to learn how psychological damages are valued in Maryland personal injury cases and how our determined Prince George’s County Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for your rightful compensation.  

What Role Do Mental Health Issues Play in Maryland Personal Injury Lawsuits?

In Maryland, emotional and mental harm can qualify for financial damages, though they are handled differently from physical injuries. To receive payment for mental suffering, the distress must either be connected to a physical wound or meet specific legal standards. 

Maryland courts don’t usually permit personal injury lawsuits based solely on psychological damage. This is normally the rule unless physical harm is also present or the mental anguish is extreme and supported by substantial proof. Consequently, seeking compensation can be difficult if you only suffer emotional distress without bodily injury. 

Nonetheless, in limited scenarios, Maryland permits recovery for mental injuries alone, but only if the trauma is deep and clearly verified. It’s important to bear in mind that in some cases, psychological injuries can be pursued independently through “mental-mental claims,” but they require evidence of a sudden and violent incident.  

How Are Psychological Damages Valued?

Generally, you can pursue compensation for your economic and non-economic damages in a Maryland personal injury case. Economic damages cover concrete, measurable expenses, whereas non-economic damages address intangible, personal impacts. Pain and suffering fall under non-economic damages. 

The calculation of these damages can differ substantially, depending on the particular extent and total effect of the injury on a person’s quality of life. Nevertheless, Maryland often employs two methods to calculate appropriate compensation for the psychological harm endured after an accident: 

  • The Multiplier Method: Your economic damages are multiplied by a number (usually between 1 and 5) to estimate your non-economic damages. 
  • The Per Diem Method: You assign a specific dollar amount to each day you suffer (usually based on daily income), and then multiply it by the number of days it has persisted.

It should be noted that expert witnesses play a pivotal role in assessing the severity of the psychological harm endured. Compensation for emotional distress can cover a wide range of damages. These commonly include pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of consortium, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the overall negative impact on the victim’s life. 

At Timian & Fawcett, LLC, our dedicated legal team understands the profound impact that injuries and losses can have on your life. When you’re suffering due ot the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, you deserve qualified legal counsel. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you need and deserve.