Managing Client Stress in Personal Injury Cases: A Life Impact Advisor’s Perspective

Author: Shelby Benavidez  

Contributing Professional: Dawson Skow, Life Impact Advisor  

Personal injury cases can be some of the most stressful experiences a client faces. Beyond the visible physical injuries, clients often struggle with emotional, mental, and relational challenges that directly affect their recovery and the trajectory of their case.  

At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, Life Impact Advisor Dawson Skow works closely with clients to address these challenges, helping attorneys gain a clearer, more holistic picture of the human side of every claim. His insights highlight why managing client stress should be a priority for law firms seeking better outcomes and stronger client relationships.  

The Hidden Stressors in Personal Injury Cases  

Attorneys often focus on the tangible aspects of a case: medical bills, lost wages, and physical recovery. While critical, these only tell part of the story. Many clients experience stressors that are less obvious but equally impactful.  

Financial concerns are often a primary source of anxiety. Clients may worry about medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, and lost income.   

“Everyone is demanding payment,” Skow said. “If you’re unable to work because of your injuries, there’s no income coming in.”  

Physical limitations also contribute to emotional strain. Everyday tasks such as getting dressed, preparing meals, or maintaining social routines can become difficult or impossible. This loss of independence can be profoundly disorienting. Relational stress often follows, particularly when injuries affect intimacy or create friction in family dynamics.   

“Anger and irritability are natural when dealing with chronic pain,” Skow said, “and physically, intimacy between partners is very commonly affected… that can even lead to the end of a relationship.”  

Mental health challenges, such as anxiety or PTSD, frequently accompany these stressors. Driving anxiety after a car accident is nearly universal, and flashbacks or nightmares may persist long after the incident. “Essentially, trauma that extends beyond a month could be diagnosed by a mental health professional as PTSD,” Skow said, noting that these experiences can significantly hinder clients’ daily functioning.  

Recognizing When Stress Peaks  

Understanding when clients are most vulnerable allows attorneys and their teams to intervene effectively. According to Skow, stress tends to peak early in the personal injury journey, often within the first few monthspost-injury.  

“They start to realize that this is not a bounce-back-next-week kind of thing… On the extreme side, it can lead to depressed thoughts, overwhelm… or even thoughts of suicide. That’s why I advocate meeting with clients as early as possible if we see signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma.”  

Early engagement ensures clients receive necessary guidance on their case and the emotional support needed to navigate these critical months safely.  

Understanding “Difficult” Client Behavior  

Clients under stress may come off as uncooperative or prickly, which attorneys may misinterpret as a “difficult client” or frustration with the process rather than a response to trauma. Skow emphasizes the importance of empathy in understanding these behaviors.  

“If they are difficult and uncooperative, there is a reason for it… Try to empathize with that person and get to know them… Maybe they’re in chronic pain, or they’ve been burned before and have a distrust for this entire process. If we do our best to understand them, it can help their behavior and how we interpret that.”  

By recognizing the underlying causes of challenging behaviors, attorneys can maintain professionalism while fostering stronger relationships and encouraging client cooperation.  

Communicating to Reduce Anxiety  

The way attorneys and staff communicate can either heighten or alleviate client stress. Active listening, intentional language, and empathetic body language all play a role. Skow highlights the subtle but powerful impact of communication techniques.  

“Clients need to feel heard. Body language, facial expressions, active listening – those are our responsibility. Even on Zoom, I might lean forward and reflect empathy as they share difficult things.”  

In addition to non-verbal cues, guiding clients through options rather than dictating solutions helps them regain a sense of control. Asking thoughtful questions like, “Have you thought about counseling or therapy for this?” introduces possibilities without prescribing treatment, allowing clients to explore ways to cope with anxiety, PTSD, or depression.  

Practical Strategies for Supporting Clients  

Law firms don’t need a full-time Life Impact Advisor to integrate emotional support into their practice. Start by normalizing emotional responses. Healing from an injury is emotionally and physically draining – reassure clients that frustration, grief, and anger are common. Help clients find ways to cope by encouraging exercise, sleep, social connection, and self-care, or even introducing mindfulness. If there are signs of trauma or severe anxiety, refer clients to mental health professionals as soon as possible.    

“We need to help clients think through what’s going on and what they could do about it… It doesn’t mean we’re prescribing treatment, but we can guide them toward options and support in the same way we help them get medical treatment.”  

Why Emotional Insight Matters for Case Outcomes  

Understanding a client’s emotional experience can directly impact the case. Clients who feel supported are more likely to provide accurate information, make decisions with clarity, and actively participate in their own legal process. Emotional support can also enhance settlement discussions, ensuring clients are ready to evaluate offers rationally rather than reacting out of fear or frustration.  

“These are the things that make us human and that bring ultimate value and worth to our lives… It’s not just our physical body, but our relationships, our independence, and our ability to pursue our dreams,” Skow observes. 

Recognizing and addressing these factors helps attorneys protect the full value of a claim, both economically and in terms of the client’s lived experience.  

Improving Emotional Awareness in PI Firms  

Law firms that integrate emotional intelligence into client care gain multiple benefits, including client cooperation. Clients are more likely to follow through on appointments, provide consistent information, and engage positively with the legal team. When clients are able to articulate their pain, limitations, and losses effectively, it builds the case narrative and enhances case value. Not to mention, empathy fosters trust and reduces conflict, which can improve client satisfaction, referral rates, and firm reputation.  

By treating emotional well-being as an integral part of personal injury practice – not a side concern – firms can differentiate themselves while achieving better outcomes for both clients and attorneys.  

Key Takeaways: Recognizing Mental Health in PI  

Managing client stress in personal injury cases is as much a legal strategy as it is a matter of care. Skow’s work as a Life Impact Advisor illustrates how understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of injury allows attorneys to support clients more effectively, build case value, and enhance overall firm performance.  

Firms that prioritize emotional awareness, empathetic communication, and proactive mental health support not only improve the client experience but also strengthen the foundation for successful legal outcomes.  

“It brings a lot of relief… You’re not broken because this is affecting you so significantly,” Skow said. Recognizing and responding to the human side of law is not optional – it’s pivotal in personal injury cases.