Expert clinical evaluation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to determine causation and the extent of psychiatric injury. Urgent reports are available for complex civil litigation and personal injury claims.
Assessments are required when a claimant has experienced a traumatic event and exhibits symptoms impacting their functional capacity or quality of life.
What Is a PTSD Assessment?
A PTSD Assessment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation designed to identify whether a claimant meets the diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following a specific incident. This process involves a detailed clinical interview and a review of medical records to differentiate between pre-existing conditions and symptoms directly resulting from the index event.
The assessment is conducted within a civil litigation framework, ensuring that the diagnosis aligns with ICD-11 or DSM-5 standards. It serves as a vital piece of evidence in assisting the court on diagnosis, causation, and quantum.
Exposure to trauma — direct or indirect experience of a life-threatening or distressing event
Intrusive symptoms — presence of flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing memories
Avoidance behaviours — efforts to avoid external reminders or internal distressing thoughts
Negative alterations — changes in cognition and mood associated with the trauma
Hyperarousal — increased irritability, sleep disturbance, or exaggerated startle response
Functional impairment — the extent to which symptoms interfere with social or occupational life
Our experts provide an independent opinion that complies with court requirements, offering clarity on prognosis and future treatment needs. This ensures the court receives a robust analysis of the claimant’s mental state.
The resulting report provides essential expert evidence to assist in the resolution of civil litigation matters. It bridges the gap between clinical presentation and legal benchmarks for compensable injury.
Key Assessment Components
Our assessment evaluates the following areas:
Medical Record Review
A thorough analysis of pre-morbid history and post-incident medical interventions to establish a clear timeline.
Clinical Interview
Direct assessment of the claimant using semi-structured interviews to evaluate current symptomatology.
Diagnostic Formulation
Application of ICD-11 or DSM-5 criteria to confirm or rule out a PTSD diagnosis.
Causation Analysis
Determining the nexus between the traumatic event and the claimant’s psychiatric presentation.
Functional Impact Assessment
Evaluating how symptoms affect activities of daily living and the ability to work.
Treatment Recommendations
Outlining necessary therapeutic interventions such as EMDR or CBT and their associated costs.
Conditions That May Affect This Assessment
A range of psychiatric and psychological conditions can affect this assessment. These include:
Adjustment Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Major Depressive Disorder
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Panic Disorder
Somatoform Disorders
Diagnosis may be complicated by comorbidities or the presence of pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Assessment Process
01
Instruction Received
Letter of instruction and medical records are reviewed by our triage team.
02
Expert Matched
We select a psychiatrist or psychologist with specific expertise in the relevant trauma type.
03
Assessment Conducted
A face-to-face or remote clinical examination is carried out with the claimant.
04
Report Delivered
A CPR-compliant report is produced, detailing diagnosis, causation, and prognosis.
Turnaround Times
Urgency Level
Timescale
Standard Report
4-6 weeks from assessment
Priority Report
1-2 weeks
Urgent Report
1-4 days
We provide fast-track reports for PTSD assessments within 24-96 hours of the clinical interview.
What’s Included in the Report
Summary of findings and opinion
Analysis of the traumatic event
Detailed psychiatric history
Current mental state examination
Diagnostic ICD-11/DSM-5 criteria
Assessment of causation
Prognosis and recovery timeline
Detailed treatment recommendations
Functional capacity evaluation
Statement of truth and expert’s credentials
All reports are fully CPR Part 35 compliant and our experts are available for joint statements and court testimony.
Frequently Asked Questions
A PTSD assessment is specifically tailored to evaluate trauma-related symptoms and their direct link to a specific index event within a legal framework. While a standard review might look at overall mental health, this assessment focuses on the specific criteria for PTSD, such as hyperarousal and avoidance, and the causation of these symptoms for the purpose of litigation.
Causation concerns whether the traumatic event materially contributed to the claimant’s psychological injury. The expert must determine if the PTSD would have occurred “but for” the incident, or if the incident significantly exacerbated a pre-existing condition, which is vital for the court to award damages.
Yes, PTSD can have a delayed onset, where symptoms may not manifest or reach diagnostic thresholds until months or even years after the trauma. An expert assessment will look for a consistent clinical history and evidence of the trauma’s ongoing impact to substantiate a late-onset diagnosis for a personal injury claim.
Pre-existing history is crucial for the “eggshell skull” rule and for distinguishing between new injuries and the worsening of old ones. The expert will evaluate whether the claimant had a prior vulnerability or if the current PTSD is a completely distinct clinical entity caused by the recent trauma.
Remote assessments via video link are increasingly common and generally accepted by the courts, provided they allow for a thorough clinical examination. However, in some complex cases, a face-to-face assessment may be preferred to better observe non-verbal cues and the full extent of the claimant’s distress and functional limitations.
The expert identifies the most effective evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and estimates the number of sessions required. These recommendations include the current market rates for such therapies to assist the court in calculating the special damages portion of the claim.
Our experts are trained to identify inconsistencies in reporting and may use specific psychometric tools to screen for the exaggeration of symptoms. The report will provide a balanced view, noting if the clinical presentation aligns with the reported trauma and the observed functional impact, ensuring the integrity of the expert evidence.
Need a PTSD Assessment Report?
Contact our team today for a PTSD assessment and receive expert CVs and transparent fixed-fee quotes within 60 minutes.
A PTSD Assessment provides a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine whether a claimant meets diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following a specific incident. This process involves a detailed clinical interview and review of medical records to differentiate between pre-existing conditions and symptoms directly resulting from the index event. Such assessments are essential when a claimant has experienced a traumatic event and exhibits symptoms impacting their functional capacity or quality of life in personal injury and civil litigation contexts.
Deliverables for Legal Proceedings
The assessment produces a detailed psychiatric report outlining the diagnosis, causation analysis, and extent of psychiatric injury. These reports comply with Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 and are suitable for use in civil litigation and personal injury claims. The evaluation addresses whether symptoms are attributable to the index traumatic event or pre-existing conditions, providing clarity for legal proceedings. Urgent reports can be prepared within 1-4 days when required for time-sensitive cases.
Required Information for Assessment
To conduct the assessment, the expert requires access to relevant medical records, details of the traumatic incident, and any previous psychiatric history. The claimant’s functional capacity and quality of life impacts following the event are also evaluated. This comprehensive approach ensures the assessment accurately reflects the claimant’s current condition and its relationship to the traumatic incident. The evaluation is conducted by approved psychiatrists with expertise in forensic psychiatry and clinical psychology.
Practical Considerations and Limitations
Assessments are conducted by approved psychiatrists under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and comply with CPR Part 35 requirements. The process maintains independence and objectivity, focusing on establishing causation and the extent of psychiatric injury. While assessments can be completed urgently within 1-4 days, the thoroughness of the evaluation remains consistent regardless of timeline. The assessment cannot provide guarantees regarding legal outcomes but offers expert opinion on psychiatric matters relevant to the case.
For more information about our expert team, visit our About Us page. The assessment process follows guidelines from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Royal College of Psychiatrists and relevant civil procedure rules Civil Procedure Rules.
