Can You Recover PTSD With The Help of Worker’s Compensation?
Worker’s Compensation Generally provides Financial coverage to workers who face physical injuries and illnesses due to work-related tasks. An employee can see compensation for injuries like broken bones and occupational diseases. However, many people are unsure whether they can recover benefits from mental illnesses like PTSD. Make sure to consult a Richmond work injury lawyer to learn more about your case.
PTSD -an overview
PTSD, also known as a posttraumatic stress disorder, is a mental illness that is caused by traumatic situations like assaults, accidents, etc. The witnesses or victims of such accidents face post-traumatic stress disorder and experience various emotional, mental, and physical symptoms of the illness that impact an individual’s functioning.
Individuals going through PTSD can be affected mentally and physically. Additionally, it can take a toll on your mental health and affect your life in various ways.
Coverage of PTSD by Worker’s Compensation
If you are considering receiving benefits for PTSD, you must get a formal diagnosis by a psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the mental condition. Your symptoms must Fulfill the criteria of PTSD as mentioned in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
PTSD can be considered as a completely mental illness in which the victim did not face any physical trauma but faced The event as a witness, which resulted in emotional trauma and triggered the victim. Along with that, it can also be considered a mental illness caused by the physical injuries experienced by the employee at the workplace.
Claims for workplace PTSD
Workplace injury victims make various kinds of claims regarding post-traumatic stress disorder. It is highly common in industries where dramatic accidents take place regularly. Firefighters, paramedics, and hospital workers are more prone to experiencing PTSD, another result of traumatic accidents taking place at their workplace.
PTSD claims are also filed when a worker experiences a colleague facing a severe injury or death. These incidents are a common occurrence in the construction and manufacturing industries. A lot of employees face catastrophic injuries in warehouses. However, PTSD is not limited to these industries only. It can take place in any field of work.
Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include persistent flashbacks of the trauma, anxiety, depression, feelings of anger and irritation, emotional detachment, self-destruction, engaging in violence, memory issues, difficulties in concentration, OCD, and regular nightmares. These symptoms have a detrimental impact on the overall social and personal life of the victims.
