**How a Client's Trauma Can Influence Your Business**

At Eyes of Power Trauma Care, Leoline focuses on understanding how trauma can affect lawyers and their firms. While she is not a personal injury lawyer, her extensive collaboration with many legal professionals shows that law school often does not adequately prepare lawyers to handle traumatized clients.

Many lawyers are unaware that working with sensitive individuals can lead to secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, or compassion fatigue. Research indicates that personal injury lawyers frequently continue their practice without recognizing the effects of secondary trauma, which is treatable. Even when they are aware, some may fear the stigma of seeking help. This can result in a loss of clients, decreased revenue, and weakened attorney-client relationships, causing many lawyers to suffer in silence.

Through private sessions with Leoline, she helps lawyers manage and cope with these challenges. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Taking care of yourself ultimately benefits your business, as well as the staff and clients you serve. Click below to learn more about the lounge. 

What Happens When a Client's Trauma is Triggered?

Trauma can significantly impact a client's ability to maintain a good relationship with their attorney, as it often impairs the client's trust in those involved during litigation. When clients are reminded—either consciously or unconsciously—of past trauma, it can serve as a direct trigger, leading them to feel as though they are in imminent danger. In such instances, clients may become focused on self-protection and avoiding the perceived threat. As a result, they may struggle to listen properly, leading to difficulties in processing questions and responding accurately to the facts of the case. They might also agree to anything just to quickly escape the distressing situation, further risking their case.

As a lawyer - consider the implications of sending your client to an Independent Medical Examination (IME), No-Fault Examination (NFE), or Defendant Medical Examination (DME). This situation can become particularly concerning if the service provider present is not skilled in trauma-informed care. While you, the defense doctor, and the service provider may proceed with your respective roles seamlessly, it’s essential to consider the client's experience.

Imagine the stakes: a multi-million dollar case could collapse or be significantly diminished to just a few thousand dollars if your client's trauma affects their ability to respond accurately during the defense examination, deposition, or trial process.

Inaccurate responses can adversely affect the outcome of a case. When clients fail to address these trauma-related issues, it becomes easier for a jury to dismiss the case, or for lawyers to settle for far less than its true value. Why take that risk?

Our Keys Program can help prevent these situations from occurring which also helps lawyers to fully understand the impact of their clients trauma.