Expert witness evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and return to work

This author was hired by a defendant's attorney as an expert witness in the evaluation of a plaintiff who filed a lawsuit for the loss of her job and concomitant income due to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms acquired after sustaining a traumatic injury. This writer evaluated her symptoms, level of function, roles, and interests using a variety of assessments. This case study is a report of the evaluation. The results indicated that the plaintiff developed adequate coping mechanisms to manage her symptoms of PTSD in order to function in her diverse and chosen roles of worker, mother, care giver, wife, family member, volunteer, home maintainer, and religious participant even though she did not return to her prior place of employment. Because of these results, the case was settled out of court in the favor of the defendant.