Jane K. McNaught, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologis Obtaining the assistance of a forensic psychologist can be an effective means of evaluating the emotional injury associated with severe burns. Psychological testing quantifies the impact of the injury. Such an evaluation also assesses pre-existing emotional difficulties and previous life stressors in the burn victim’s life. Finally, psychological testing can be a vehicle to provide the jury with demonstrative evidence about the impact of the trauma to the burn victim. Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) … [Read more...]

By Jane K. McNaught, Ph.D. Forensic Psychologists can assist both Plaintiff and Defense lawyers in their assessment of the emotional damages related to traumatic injuries with adults as well as children. PTSD in children and teens is caused by events that have caused them, or someone else close to them, to be killed or badly injured. Not all children develop PTSD after a traumatic injury. 3-15% of girls and 1-6% of boys develop PTSD in response to a traumatic experience. Rates of PTSD are higher for certain types of trauma survivors. Nearly 100% get PTSD if they see … [Read more...]

By: Jane K. McNaught, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Amputation is an injury involving loss of function, loss of sensation, and loss of body image. It is not surprising amputees often suffer psychological difficulties following such an event. Further, these psychological difficulties can also result in long term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the amputee. Often these psychological injuries and resultant PTSD can be difficult to explain to a jury. The forensic expert’s presentation of psychological testing assessing potential PTSD is one part of proving or … [Read more...]