ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHIC SEQUELS

The terrorist attack, like any other violence situation, generates in those who suffer it a serious psychological affectation that hinders their psychological and emotional well-being. The UAVAT incorporates a team of forensic psychologists specialized in the assessment of the psychological damage caused by a terrorist attack.

Forensic assessments are a tool for expert evidence that assesses the psychological damage suffered in the judicial and administrative context.

This forensic assessment legally allows guiding and advising the courts during criminal, work and administrative judicial processes.

When will I need a forensic assessment?

The UAVAT makes comprehensive psychological-psychiatric assessments with the goal of offering a full, comprehensive quality assessment.

Assessment of injuries and sequels

The expert appraisals about injuries and psychological sequels allow us to evaluate, enumerate and quantify the psychological damage suffered after an attack. Although the consequences represent an important impact on the lives of those affected and their families, they are in most cases difficult to measure, quantify and demonstrate in the face of legal and administrative procedures.

Among the most common post-traumatic sequels are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and even persistent personality disorders.

These reports and expert opinions are meant to estimate the damage in a rigorous, scientific and based on clinical-forensic and legal criteria in order to guide the compensation for psychophysical damage (Law 29/2011, of September 22, of Recognition and Comprehensive Protection of Victims of Terrorism) as well as to establish an adequate compensation in the processes of incapacitation or work disability.

Legal reparations and recognition as a victim of terrorism

The forensic assessment in the criminal-prosecution area involves an expert assessment of the sequels and the causal link (etiology of the injury) with a terrorist attack. These expert evaluations will be ratified afterwards in the oral trial. The competent court in matters of terrorism is the National Court.

Degrees of disability and incapacity for work

The expert assessment of sequels involving an incapacity, invalidity (absolute, total, partial, great disability) or disability in the working life of the affected person, must be assessed by the competent body.

Disability certificate

The expert assessment of sequels that involve a disability or psychic diminution in a chronic and permanent way. The institutions responsible for assessing disability situations and their degree are the Social Affairs Departments of each community.

The UAVAT is established as the technical expert unit of the Association 11-M Affected by Terrorism, who will preside over the direction of the popular accusation of the criminal procedure of the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.

  • VALUATION PROTOCOL

    The UAVAT has created a forensic assessment protocol for victims of violent or traumatic events and it’s formed with long-term experts in the evaluation of trauma linked to terrorist attacks, violent crimes and major catastrophes.

  • ASSESSMENT OF INJURIES-SEQUELS AND CAUSAL LINK

    The assessment of the psychological damage is based on the evaluation of the psychological injury, as well as the determination of the sequels and psychological, cognitive and emotional deterioration suffered by the affected. It also provides an assessment of the causal link between injury / sequels and the traumatic event.

  • EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAJECTORY

    The management of the UAVAT has major experience in assessing psychological sequels in other major catastrophes and terrorist actions (11-M, Hipercor, etc.).

The assessment of the psychological damage is based on the evaluation of the psychological injury, as well as the determination of the sequels and the psychological, cognitive and emotional deterioration suffered by the affected. It also offers an assessment of the causal link between injury / sequels and traumatic event.

Difference between injury and psychological sequels

Phychic injury

Temporary

Psychological injuries consist in discomfort and affectation derived from the psychological impact or a traumatic event.

These injuries, on occasion, can be recovered with the support of positive resources such as good social, work and family integration and / or specialized psychological care.

The UAVAT offers a psychological care resource for those affected by terrorist attacks.

Psychic sequel

Permanent

The psychological sequels, however, are the result of inadequate or insufficient recovery of psychological injuries suffered. In these cases, psychological distress can interfere chronically and permanently in the life of the affected person.

The causes of a non-recoverability are multiple: characteristics of the event, personality, resources, etc.

These consequences can, to a greater or lesser extent, affect the work path of the affected person as well as their family and social life.