Workers’ compensation helps people who have suffered job-related injuries and illnesses. For example, firefighters with cancer caused by chemical inhalation and factory workers who fracture a bone are eligible for benefits.
In some cases, the conditions that workers develop relate to their mental health rather than their physical well-being. A traumatic experience at work could result in someone developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Does Iowa workers’ compensation cover PTSD?
Work incidents can cause PTSD
The main consideration in a workers’ compensation claim for a mental health diagnosis is whether or not the diagnosis directly relates to the employee’s job, like a specific incident in the workplace. A person diagnosed with PTSD does not necessarily need to have physical injuries to qualify. Their PTSD could prevent them from working, as PTSD symptoms can be disruptive to someone’s ability to do their job.
However, there is one important standard that they must meet to qualify for benefits. Specifically, they need to show that the incident or occurrence in the workplace that caused their PTSD diagnosis is outside of the normal scope of what their professional peers experience.
Especially in cases involving first responders, that can be a challenging standard to meet. Employees with job-related PTSD may need assistance proving that their work conditions were more dangerous or traumatizing than what others in their industry generally face on a regular basis.
Reviewing the circumstances that led to a PTSD diagnosis with an attorney can help injured professionals prepare for a mental health workers’ compensation claim. With the right documentation and assistance, traumatized individuals can pursue benefits to pay for their treatment and replace some of their income until they can return to work.
