Continue reading to learn more about workers’ compensation, and how a person can be eligible for such benefits under various circumstances.
Workers’ Compensation for Stress
There are several steps in determining if an employee is eligible for compensation as a result of work-related anxiety and stress. You see, some states recognize stress and anxiety as a basis for workers’ compensation, and many others do not. In the situation that an employee lives in a state where this type of injury is recognized, and they wish to pursue workers’ compensation, they will have the burden of proving that their injuries were a direct result of their work. But this isn’t the first step. In fact, this step comes much later in the legal process.
First, an employee must hire an experience work place injury lawyer that specializes in workers’ compensation law. They can provide legal guidance and navigate a lawsuit in a client’s best interest. Next, the employee must consider whether or not a workers’ comp lawsuit is worth it. If the amount of compensation they are eligible to receive is underwhelming, it may not be worth the time, energy, and stigma that goes along with filing a claim against the company they work for.
The Challenge
The common problem that arises with these kinds of lawsuits is that emotional and mental distress is harder to document and prove in contrast to physical injuries. However, as emotional distress and anxiety grows, it is wise for the employee to seek therapeutic treatment as a means of recovery and documentation of their injuries. Therapeutic treatment can include psychiatric counseling, medication, physical therapy, and more.
If these treatments do not work, then perhaps additional compensation is required for the employee to treat their injuries appropriately. Also, it is common for employees that have suffered a serious physical injury or trauma to experience subsequent stress and anxiety, in which case, additional compensation and rest would be honored by the company.