Can I claim emotional distress damages?

Yes. Emotional distress is a recoverable component of non-economic damages in Colorado personal injury cases. Emotional distress includes anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological effects resulting from your accident and injuries. While you don't need a formal mental health diagnosis to claim emotional distress, documentation from mental health professionals can strengthen your claim. Catastrophic injuries almost always involve significant emotional distress. Victims of severe injuries frequently develop PTSD, clinical depression, and anxiety disorders. The psychological trauma of adjusting to permanent disability, chronic pain, disfigurement, or dependence on others for daily care is substantial and deserves full compensation. Emotional distress damages are often substantial in cases involving traumatic accidents, disfigurement, or life-altering injuries. These damages are part of the broader "pain and suffering" category subject to Colorado's non-economic damage caps.