Can I sue my ex-husband for giving me PTSD?

Asked by: Giovanna Langworth  |  Last update: September 7, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (52 votes)

Yes, someone can sue their ex for emotional damage in a court of law if they have suffered harm as a result of their ex's actions.

Can I sue my ex-husband for PTSD?

You can sue anyone for anything, so the answer here is yes, you can. The real question is can you win. You have to be able to establish that your ex-husband was the cause of your PTSD. Certainly having a medical diagnosis helps with that, and that your injury is severe enough to warrant the award of monetary damages.

How to sue your ex for emotional distress?

A claim for intentional emotional distress requires showing that the defendant (1) acted intentionally or recklessly; (2) their conduct was extreme and outrageous; and (3) the conduct caused severe emotional distress. Frankly, it's pretty difficult to prove the ``extreme and outrageous'' part.

What can you sue your ex-spouse for?

What Can You Sue Your Ex-Spouse For?
  • Your ex-spouse engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct that went beyond all bounds of decency.
  • Your ex-spouse intended to cause you severe emotional distress or acted with reckless disregard and.
  • You suffered emotional distress as a direct result.

Can you sue for emotional distress in a divorce?

Yes. You can sue W for emotional distress related to dissolution. Be sure to hire an attorney, pay alot of money, You will lose case. Incur alot more distress.

Do You Have Post Betrayal Syndrome? | Debi Silber | TEDxCherryCreekWomen

29 related questions found

How much should I sue for emotional distress?

Generally, these claims are worth $30,000-$50,000. The second type of emotional distress claim is one that is worth more than $50,000 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the factual circumstances.

What is a tortious act in divorce?

Defining Marital Torts

Most people are familiar with tort actions based on personal injury or interference with property, but a vast number of other actions can also be torts. A few examples include fraud, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, defamation, and breach of fiduciary duty.

How does suing for emotional distress work?

In an emotional distress claim, proving that the defendant acted with intent is key. This means showing that they knew or should have known their actions would cause serious distress. Your lawyer will start by gathering evidence such as emails or text messages, which can be crucial in establishing this intentionality.

Can I sue my ex-husband for defamation of character?

The law allows you to sue anyone for defamation if you have evidence that they defamed you, even if that person is your former spouse. In most divorce cases, though, defamation lawsuits are not an effective way to protect yourself from harm resulting from false statements that your ex-spouse makes about you.

What rights does an ex wife have?

An estranged wife has legal rights related to marital property, child custody, and support. Depending on the circumstances of the separation, she may be entitled to financial support, a share of marital assets, and custody of any children.

Can you sue your ex for loss of enjoyment of life?

While you can't file a lawsuit solely for loss of enjoyment in life, it is a significant and recognized component of personal injury claims. If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and find that your ability to enjoy life has diminished, you can seek compensation for this loss.

Can I charge my ex for emotional distress?

Intentional infliction of emotional distress is a tort, a civil wrong the law provides a remedy for. While the requirements vary from state to state, you typically need to show the following elements: Intentional extreme and outrageous conduct. Causation.

Can you sue a mental health facility for negligence?

Legal Claims Brought against Mental Health Facilities

Common legal claims include: Negligence: If a facility fails to provide the level of care and supervision that a reasonable mental health provider would offer, it may be considered negligence.

How do I prove PTSD in court?

A PTSD diagnosis requires the following: a traumatic event, flashbacks, avoidance, arousal and reactivity symptoms, and cognition and mood symptoms. 5Id. at 393. The evidence in a case involving claims of PTSD must demonstrate that the victim experienced an event that threatened death or serious injury.

What is spousal PTSD?

In most situations where PTSD and marriage don't mix well, the non-PTSD spouse may develop Vicarious PTSD. Essentially, this type of PTSD evolves from exposure to the trauma that takes place in the midst of your spouse's PTSD episodes.

Can I sue someone who gave me PTSD?

Yes, you can sue if you are suffering from emotional distress after an accident caused by someone else. California law recognizes the severe impact of emotional distress on your life, and courts allow you to seek compensation for it.

What can you sue your ex-husband for?

Some common scenarios where someone might be able to sue their ex for emotional damage include cases involving domestic violence or abuse, infidelity or betrayal within the relationship, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or harassment/stalking behavior.

What proof do you need to sue for defamation of character?

To prove defamation, you must determine that the statement can easily be described as false, published, harmful, or unprivileged. It's imperative to show that you have been the victim of inevitable negative defamation consequences, such as decreased income, loss of money, or tarnished reputation.

Is it worth suing for defamation?

The answer is, yes, it is worth suing for defamation. When a true case of defamation exists, there are damages that are caused as a result. Those damages are compensable through a civil lawsuit, in California and beyond.

What is proof of emotional distress?

Gathering compelling evidence is fundamental to constructing a robust case for emotional distress. The documentation should encompass a comprehensive range of materials, including medical records, therapy or counseling records, eyewitness testimonies, and expert witness testimony.

What is emotional distress worth?

Once the attorney has argued for emotional distress damages, he or she will then calculate a settlement amount using what's called a “multiplier method.” It works by adding up all the tangible or economic damages, like medical costs and lost wages, and then multiplying that sum by a given number, usually between 1.5 ...

Do I need a lawyer to sue for emotional distress?

Proving that emotional distress took place can be a difficult legal claim to support. As with any lawsuit, working with an experienced lawyer who can help you collect pertinent evidence is one of the best ways to seek success in your case.

Can you get pain and suffering in a divorce?

These individuals are also often able to help settle decisions regarding life changes. Although the legal system typically does not allow including pain and suffering as part of a divorce, mistreatment may play a role in a separate trial.

What is a tortuous act?

/ˈtɔrʃəs/ Other forms: tortiously. In civil law, a tort is an act that brings harm to someone — one that infringes on the rights of others. The adjective tortious therefore describes something related to a tort. Tortious interference occurs when you intentionally harm someone's business.

What is the family code 782?

(a) Where an injury to a married person is caused in whole or in part by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the person's spouse, the community property may not be used to discharge the liability of the tortfeasor spouse to the injured spouse or the liability to make contribution to a joint tortfeasor until ...