Pacific Workers Compensation Law Center September 2019

Expectations

Mental Health in the Workplace

What outcome should I expect?

Among other factors, the outcome of a workers’ compensation case will rely heavily on the type and severity of injury, the quality of your representation, and the insurance company you’re dealing with. While some companies and claim adjusters are fair and easy to work with, there are others that will do everything they can to save money and restrict the right of the injured worker. An ideal outcome is adequate medical treatment and compensation for the time the victim has missed at work, without the need for court intervention. However, it’s common for insurance companies to fight the injured party every step of the way. Eventually, you can expect proper medical care and compensation for your disability, though it’s rare to see large monetary awards from workers’ comp cases,

Can I Open Claims for Stress at Work?

There is some ambiguity in regards to if stress is an adequate reason to file a claim, but the short answer is yes, absolutely! Your mental health and well-being is just as important as your physical health. If you suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, or any other mental condition due to the strain of work or as a result of a work-related injury, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and expect to gain compensation for your medical care. Psychological injuries and trauma caused by violence or harassment in the workplace can be as debilitating as any physical injury. Even psychological strain due to a work-related injury is reason enough to open a claim. If you have suffered mental strain due to workplace violence, know you’re not alone. The rate of these reports has been increasing at a staggering rate. In 2016 alone, there were 16,890 workers in the private industry reporting to have experienced trauma from nonfatal workplace violence. In 2017, there were as many as 18,400 injuries and 458 fatalities caused by workplace violence. While these numbers are alarming, it’s commonplace for companies to under-report nonfatal injuries and illnesses. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has stated that 2 million individuals each year report some type of workplace violence, and it is estimated that 25% of all workplace violence goes unreported entirely. According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workplace violence falls into one of four categories: criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship. If you have been subjected to such treatment, seek the support and help you deserve. Individuals who have experienced trauma can have a hard time navigating through the maze that is the workers’ compensation system, but don’t feel lost when filing a claim; you don’t have to do this alone. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your mental health in a workers compensation case, please contact us at 833-722-9675 or visit our website anytime at PacificWorkers.com.

which is why settlements occur often in these situations.

If you or a loved one have further questions on case duration and expectations, feel free to reach out to us anytime. We will be happy to answer any and all concerns you have.

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