Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. This fact is now recognized by the law. As a result, it is now increasingly likely that you will be able to make a claim against someone whose actions damage your mental health.
In many ways, this area of the law follows the same principles as personal injury claims in general. Basically, you have to prove that someone else’s actions caused you quantifiable damage in a way that is recognized in law.
The onus will be on you to prove your case, so you must get clear evidence of your mental health issues, typically a diagnosis from a medical professional. It’s also important that you document all the consequences of your mental health issues, not just the financial ones. Again, the onus will be on you to substantiate your complaint so keep as much evidence as you possibly can. Even a detailed journal is a lot better than nothing.
In some ways, however, this area of the law can be complex. For example, the way you approach mental health trauma caused by medical malpractice could be very different from the way you approach it if it is caused by issues at work.
It is therefore strongly advisable to speak to a reputable lawyer as early as you can. This will ensure that you get the right advice on your case and give you the best opportunity not just to file your case in the right way and within the relevant time limits, but to get the outcome you want, possibly without even having to go to court.
