If you've been researching the psychological assessment process required to assess psychological injury, damage or disability, you know that it is a lot more complicated than just giving a few tests. The process of the psychological assessment of emotional injuries from an accident can involve hundreds of clinical issues, the review of many pages of notes, numerous testing instruments and many interviews of collateral contacts of the victim.



There are not a lot of psychologists who practice in this area compared to others because it can be a pain in the neck to deal with victims, adversaries, the legal process and even the lawyers themselves. Most psychologists prefer to practice in a cooperative problem-solving environment, rather than the adversarial and red tape-laden legal arena.

The psychological assessment of accident victims is complicated, time-consuming, sometimes contentious and the assessments themselves can involve red tape and a long time to complete. Most of us that do practice in this area do so because, despite the headaches, its important and can aid the judicial system in assessing fair amounts of compensation to the victims.

Also, some clients have nowhere else to turn. The impairments they face, their sudden loss of income, their oppressive anxiety and depression, the tragic decline in their quality of life, job loss, the new and significant stressors afflicting their family relationships, the confusion resulting from the complexities and ambiguities inherent in the legal process and even the possible worsening or onset of a substance abuse problem requires that adequate remedies be awarded.

Many defendants have little money, need to use the contingent fee model when hiring an attorney and those who do have financial resources are often on the verge of losing everything, or already have. If any of your clients are psychologically compromised because of an accident, as their attorney, due diligence would mandate that you determine how much they have been impaired or compromised.

So, if you've made the decision to hire a psychologist to assess the extent or severity of your clients psychological injuries, what should you look for? By far, the most important criterion is length and breadth of professional experience.

You do not want a psychologist who dabbles in personal injury cases. Psychological testing, assessment and clinical treatment should be an important part of his or her practice. To screen your client for appropriateness, you must have some suspicion that your client may be impaired because of the accident.

You should be familiar with the mindset of your client and have reason to believe that he or she is suffering emotionally because of circumstances arising from it. Is your client being treated by a mental health professional? If not, should she be?

Does she have any symptoms of psychological damage, for instance, depression, anxiety, marital problems, substance abuse? What are the observations of her significant others regarding the appropriateness of her behavior?

Is she taking any psychotropic drugs? If so, for what? Is it possible that your client has any psychological condition caused by the accident that results in problems with concentration, communication, problem-solving or maintaining a job or relationship?

The psychologist should have access to your clients medical records, family history, psychological records and work records. Also, not unimportantly, he should have an excellent interview technique so he can develop a rapport with your client.

Only with good rapport, will he be able to elicit information from your client that is detailed and accurate. Your consulting psychologist should demonstrate interest, enthusiasm and openness.

He should be accessible by phone, email and always respond to your queries promptly. Your consulting psychologist can be located anywhere.

If he is licensed as a psychologist in any state, under the appropriate conditions, he can practice on a per project basis anywhere.

Here are some sample questions you might ask when communicating with a prospective consulting psychologist:

1. How many psychological and court-related assessments have you done?

Answer: The answer should be over fifty.

2. My client has the following symptoms_________. Do you have experience with this type of situation or similar ones?

Answer: The correct answer, of course, is yes.

3. Will you be available so that I can ask questions by email or phone?

Answer: Absolutely.

4. If you are not local, can you fly out and do the assessment personally?

Answer: Yes, as long as the expenses are paid.