Your Mental Injury Deposition: Expressing Sadness

Published by

Samer Habbas, Esq

Your Irvine personal injury lawyer will counsel you that an expression of sadness at your deposition is not only okay, but in fact is quite appropriate. You, as the plaintiff, may feel that crying or “breaking down” is a negative. Nothing could be further from the truth.

How should I act?

If you have been severely traumatized and have become depressed as a result of that trauma, it is expected that you will act depressed and perhaps cry, if appropriate, at your deposition. All too often an Irvine personal injury lawyer sees cases where plaintiffs appear to lack credibility because as they describe symptoms associated with depression, they fail to show any of those signs of depression at the deposition.

But what if this is painful for me?

Of course it will be, but it is necessary for you to let down your guard, relive the trauma and appear vulnerable. You must answer questions from the “sad and painful zone” that you experienced during the trauma and have experienced during dark moments subsequent to the trauma.

How will my testimony be received?

If you can testify from the heart rather than only the mind, it will be more likely that the opposing counsel will be impressed and believe your psychological pain. The practical reality is that if the defense realizes your emotional and mental issues are real, your case will be much more likely to settle for a reasonable value and you will avoid the further trauma of a public trial.

Samer Habbas, an Irvine personal injury lawyer, is experienced in all phases of personal injury and is available for a free, initial no-obligation consultation. Call (888) 848-5084 today for an appointment.

Samer Habbas, Esq

Samer Habbas is a California attorney with over 18 years of experience in personal injury law. Throughout his career, he has successfully recovered over $300 million for his clients, solidifying his reputation as a leading advocate in the field. Samer swiftly gained recognition for his adept negotiation skills and unwavering dedication to his clients. His practice spans a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, dog bites, funeral home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death. Samer is known for his compassionate approach and commitment to securing favorable outcomes for his clients. His expertise has earned him the trust and respect of both his clients and his peers within the legal community. He is also deeply invested in giving back to his community. He actively participates in pro bono work and volunteers his time to various charitable organizations. Samer is a champion for those who have been wronged, leveraging his extensive experience and expertise to make a meaningful difference in the lives of his clients and his community.