PTSD can turn a legal claim into something far more personal than paperwork and timelines, and this episode is about what that looks like in the real world. It’s a follow-on from our previous conversation, and I’m joined by Vanessa from MLCOA, forensic psychiatrist Dr Derek Lovell, and barrister Charlotte Campbell to talk about how PTSD shows up in legal matters and what helps people move through the process with less harm.

We get into the importance of early intervention after trauma, including the simple but powerful idea of “psychiatric first aid” and why human connection matters before symptoms harden into something more entrenched. Charlotte shares how she builds rapport with clients in a way that protects their sense of control, while still preparing them for the realities of a legal process that can feel invasive and unpredictable.

We also explore what a trauma-informed legal approach actually is, and what it is not. That includes how evidence can be tested fairly without losing empathy, why causation and pre-existing vulnerabilities complicate claims, and how concepts like the eggshell skull rule play out when psychological injury is part of the picture. If you work in personal injury, this conversation will sharpen how you think about PTSD, clients, and the responsibilities of the system.

00:00 Welcome

02:21 PTSD Recap and Context

03:26 Trauma-Informed Client Meetings

10:37 Plaintiff Participation and Agency

12:42 Testing Evidence Without Harm

15:55 Causation and Eggshell Skull

21:33 Preparing for Court Cross Examination

23:31 Complex PTSD and Somatic Symptoms

27:13 Delayed Onset PTSD Stories

29:56 Early Intervention and Employer Support

Thanks to mlcoa and our guests on today’s episode

Website: https://www.mlcoa.com.au/

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Mentioned in this episode:

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