Many people think of Workers’ Compensation benefits as covering physical injuries that they have suffered on the job. The reality is that there are more circumstances that could allow you to successfully file a Workers’ Compensation claim. You may be able to receive benefits for certain mental health conditions that are related to your job. However, you are dealing with both strict limits under California law and potential insurance company resistance to your claim. If you are seeking to file a mental health-related Workers’ Compensation claim, always get help from an experienced attorney.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Cover All Job-Related Injuries
There is nothing that restricts Workers’ Compensation benefits to only physical injuries that you suffer on the job. The law entitles you to coverage for any type of job-related injury, whether it is physical or mental health. Both of these conditions can be considered injuries that keep you from being able to work.
The legal requirement is that your mental health condition must be directly caused by your job. You cannot receive benefits for mental health conditions that arose from circumstances outside of your work.
What Mental Health Conditions May Allow Me to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Sacramento?
There are a number of reasons why your mental health may not allow you to work. Mental health conditions that could allow you to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits include the following:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder from something that you witnessed on the job
- Extreme stress or anxiety that results from a specific event
- Depression that results from something that you experienced on your job
- Adjustment disorder from a major job-related event
- Cumulative stress from your job duties
You may also be experiencing mental health issues that stem from a physical injury that you suffered on the job. For example, you may be suffering from depression because you have lost certain abilities or functions. These claims are more likely to be accepted than the ones listed above.
Note that California law does not allow for coverage of all types of job-related stress. For example, if you are under stress as a result of deadline pressures or disciplinary action taken against you, that is not considered an extraordinary event that would allow your Workers’ Compensation claim to be covered. However, California law is more favorable than that in other states because it allows you to receive benefits for cumulative job-related stress.
What Are the Difficulties Associated with a Job-Related Mental Health Claim?
Know that, although any Workers’ Compensation claim can be difficult, it is even tougher to get mental health-related claims covered by the insurance company. These claims are subjective in nature, meaning that they rely on what you are reporting as your own condition. The insurance company is almost always going to dispute what is not extremely clear on paper because they do not want to pay these claims.
The insurance company may also claim that your mental health issues do not relate to your job. They may argue that it is a pre-existing condition that has nothing to do with your employment. Workers’ Compensation benefits only cover job-related injuries, so the insurance company may use these as reasons to deny your claim.
If you are experiencing severe mental health issues from your job, it is essential that you get them documented as soon as possible. You would do this by seeking help from a mental health provider, who would provide treatment records describing your condition. These will form the basis of your claim. You must also notify your employer of your condition, even though it may be difficult for you. If your mental health Workers’ Compensation claim is denied, you are always free to file an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Then, an objective administrative law judge would decide whether you have a legal entitlement to benefits.
Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Walters & Zinn, Attorneys at Law, Help You on Your Road to Recovery
If you are experiencing a mental health condition related to your job, and you cannot work, speak to the Sacramento Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Walters & Zinn, Attorneys at Law. You can schedule a free initial consultation with a Workers’ Compensation lawyer by filling out an online contact form or by calling us today at 916-610-4706. Our offices are located in Folsom and Fairfield, California.