Oil and gas injuries do not have to involve solely physical ailments but can also involve psychological distress. Witnessing a terrible accident that tragically takes the life of your coworkers could be a devastating event in your life, leading to years of emotional distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very real disease that can affect any individual after a traumatic accident. If you or a loved one have experienced post-traumatic stress after an oil and gas accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the repercussions of the disorder.

Witnessing a terrible event can have a lasting impact on an individual. While physical injuries certainly leave a lasting impact on victims of accidents, the witnesses of these devastating accidents may suffer emotional repercussions for years to come. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a diagnosed condition that causes lasting fear, helplessness, or horror after a devastating event takes place. Individuals who suffer from the disorder often experience symptoms for at least one month after the accident occurs, although the impact may last years. A post-traumatic stress disorder is not an ailment that can be easily treated through one specific treatment but instead, may appear at various points in time for years to come, largely triggered by stressful situations.

Individuals who receive a psychological injury after a devastating accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, is entitled to bring a claim for damages against the responsible party. In oil and gas accidents, this will largely involve the employer.

An accident such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts many people working both on and off the rig. In a blowout, the individuals directly involved with the operation of the equipment are often severely injured, although others may witness the destruction and devastation. In addition to the fees employers must pay to the workers who were physically injured, they must also take into account the extreme stress these accidents caused to the rest of their employees. Physically injured employees may also suffer severe emotional distress, which is often worked into an injury claim.

An employee who has suffered post-traumatic stress after an accident may be unable to return to work for weeks, due to the lasting impact the accident caused on their psyche. It is difficult to witness a close coworker experience a devastating or even fatal injury in front of you and continue in the same line of work thereafter. The party responsible for the accident should be held accountable for both the physical and emotional damage the accident causes to individuals.

If you or a loved one have experienced post-traumatic stress after a devastating accident in the oil and gas industry, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in assisting his clients with their ongoing claims relating to physical and emotional injuries incurred after an oil and gas accident. Contact our Beaumont or Houston offices today for your initial free consultation.