injured by a malfunctioning saw

Why You May Be Entitled To Workers' Compensation For PTSD

15 July 2020 by Lawrence Miller

You are not only entitled to workers' compensation benefits for physical injuries you have suffered while at work but you are also entitled to workers' compensation benefits for psychological injuries. For example, if you have experienced an event that has lead you to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may be entitled to compensation for PTSD. 

How Prevalent is PTSD?

Millions of Americans are affected by PTSD. This is a condition that is known to affect:

• Police officers
• Firefighters
• Paramedics
• Other healthcare professionals

However, workers can experience traumatic events in any profession. For example, you might have been held at gunpoint while working as a cashier while the store you worked at was robbed. You might have been assaulted by an irate customer. Witnessing or directly experiencing a traumatic event can lead to debilitating symptoms. You may suffer from depression, anxiety, flashbacks, irritability, hyperarousal, and difficulty with memory and concentration.

Are There Any Obstacles to Seeking Compensation for PTSD?

You will want to speak with a workers' compensation attorney if you are considering seeking compensation for PTSD. Your employer might not take your symptoms seriously, might believe that you should simply "tough it out," or may argue that your PTSD was the result of another event that occurred outside of work. 

To seek compensation for PTSD, talk to your doctor and your employer about the experience as soon as possible. Your doctor might recommend that you see a therapist. You might be diagnosed with PTSD after being examined by a qualified mental health professional. 

Your workers' compensation benefits may pay for you to take time off from work and seek further psychological treatments to help heal your emotional scars. If a therapist determines that you have never fully recovered from your scars, you may be entitled to permanent benefits from your employer's workers' compensation insurance provider.

However, the insurance provider will require evidence that you are actually suffering from PTSD. In some cases, an adjuster might seek to play hardball to make a name for himself and reduce the losses to his company. Fortunately, you don't have to face the workers' compensation insurance company yourself, and you can instead have the negotiation process handled by a legal team. When working with a great workers' compensation attorney, you will feel like you're being taken care of and your workers' compensation attorney will always have a plan regarding the next steps you should take. 

Find a workers compensation attorney near you. 

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