Litigating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Effects on the Family

Abstract

This article focuses on the effect of attorney litigation styles on clients who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and on the families of these clients. We look first at “environmental factors” affecting how the family experiences the client's reaction to the traumatizing event and how different types of families respond to litigation. We then turn to the different styles attorneys employ when processing claims in litigation and the common family responses to these styles. Next we explore the implications of these kinds of reactions for the effectiveness of the attorney-client relationship. We conclude with recommendations for fostering a productive working relationship among the client, the family, the attorney, and the mental health care provider.