Will Your Employer Pay Workers' Comp For Work-Related PTSD?
by Joan Bradley
Depending on the state in which you live, you could possibly qualify for workers' compensation benefits based on having post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Whether or not you qualify depends on several factors, including how your condition has been impacted or developed by your job. If you are planning to apply for benefits based on having PTSD, here is what you need to know.
How Is PTSD Related to Your Work?
Since workers' compensation benefits are awarded based on an injury in the workplace that led to the development of a medical condition, you have to prove that the PTSD you are experienced is work-related. There are two ways this is possible.
One way is to prove that the condition was developed as a result of a traumatic experience you suffered on the job. For instance, if you are a food service employee and witnessed a shooting, you could claim you developed PTSD from the event.
The other possible way is to claim that you developed PTSD from an event outside of the workplace, but its symptoms were triggered by circumstances in the workplace. For instance, if you are a veteran and suffered from PTSD in the past and witnessed an event in the workplace that triggered your symptoms, you could file for benefits.
Will Your Claim Be Approved?
Claims involving mental health disorders are always hard to prove in workers' compensation claims. However, it is possible to win your claim if you are able to prove a link between the workplace and your condition.
One of the most important steps you can take towards proving your claim is to seek professional help. If you do not receive treatment for PTSD, your employer's insurance company could claim that the condition was not severe enough to warrant treatment or workers' compensation benefits.
Your medical records from a psychologist or therapist can help to show that you have actively sought to deal with the disorder. It is important that you take any medications that are prescribed and attend all sessions. The more documented your condition is, the better for you.
If you have co-workers, family, and friends who are aware of the impact on the condition, their statements can also be helpful in proving your case.
The standards for receiving workers' compensation based on PTSD vary by state. Consult with legal offices in your area such as Gieg Law Offices to learn more.
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About Me
You walk into your favorite grocery store and right away, you slip and fall only to sprain your ankle. You can't perform your job because it requires standing on your feet all day, which means that you can't make any money to support your family while your ankle heals. There was no warning that the floors were wet after being cleaned in the store – so what do you do? It's probably a good idea to think about filing a personal injury lawsuit. Of course, anyone with experience with a personal injury case will tell you just how important it is to work with an attorney throughout the process. I'd like to share insight I've learned through three personal injury cases that I myself have had to go through in the past. I think the information on this website can help people like you, who need some personal injury guidance.