PTSD IN CIVIL LITIGATION: RECENT SCIENTIFIC AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

In the last decade, scientific developments have led to a better understanding of the types of events that can be legitimately considered traumatic and of factors that may increase the risk of experiencing PTSD following trauma. The development of PTSD is associated with certain risk factors and with biological changes unlike those associated with nontraumatic stress. These developments have forced a reevaluation of the original ideas about the relationship between trauma and subsequent emotional and psychological consequences. This paper outlines issues regarding forensic consideration of PTSD, reviews recent empirical studies, and proposes adoption of an analytical framework to facilitate better use of PTSD in court.