Personal Injury Q&A: What Is Emotional Abuse?

If you’re suffering emotionally or mentally at the hands of someone else, then it may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Here’s what you need to know about emotional abuse and the law.

What is Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abuse, or mental mistreatment, occurs when an individual is deliberately causing emotional pain to another. This may come in the form of coercion, intimidation, harassment, ridicule, isolating an adult from their family or peers, controlling their behavior, treating an adult like a child, or swearing to the degree that it causes the individual mental distress.

If you know of someone that does one of these things to you, then you may be able to sue them for personal injury.

What are Signs of Emotional Abuse?

One of the most obvious signs that you’re suffering from emotional abuse is if you frequently come out of the interactions with that person feeling upset or agitated. Another sign is if you become withdrawn after interacting with that person. You may not even realize that you’ve withdrawn from your friends or your regular activities.

There are a few physical signs that you may adopt as well. They’re often associated with a mental illness like dementia. You may rock, bite, or suck something.

If you feel nervous around someone, then it may be because they’re emotionally abusing you. If you feel like you have to walk on tiptoes around them, for example.

Is Emotional Abuse Verbal or Physical?

Law enforcement typically associates emotional abuse with physical abuse rather than verbal abuse. Even verbal harassment and being menacing or threatening is construed as physical abuse.

For law enforcement to act, the individual needs to have been physically contacted. The threat of being contacted is also valid. This may occur if the abuser shows a weapon threateningly, for example.

Is It Possible to Be Emotionally Abused in the Workplace?

Yes. Anyone can abuse you in the workplace. Your employer may belittle you. A coworker may threaten you. Recognizing emotional abuse can help you make the right decisions to get the justice you need and protect yourself.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Calling our experienced personal injury attorney in Delaware County, PA can help you understand more about emotional abuse and whether or not it pertains to you. Emotional abuse can be difficult to prove. However, you must get the care and justice that you deserve. Call us to find out more.