When your job causes emotional distress, can you ask for workers’ compensation benefits? While the Connecticut workers’ compensation program does provide some coverage for mental health issues, these must arise as a result of a primary physical injury to qualify.
Learn more about how the state addresses post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health conditions that may result from workplace injuries.
Clinical depression
According to data from the International Risk Management Institute, at least half of employees injured at work experience symptoms of clinical depression after they become disabled. These symptoms are most prevalent during the first 30 days after the accident. You may notice fatigue or insomnia; persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or guilt; unexplained physical symptoms; a loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities; and even suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD manifests with nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, hypervigilance, anxiety and other symptoms after a traumatic event. When this event occurs in the workplace, the person can seek benefits to cover the impact of PTSD in addition to the costs associated with the physical injury.
Generalized anxiety disorder
This common form of anxiety often arises after auto accidents. If you drive for a living and have a serious collision or otherwise suffer an injury at work, you may experience restlessness, a feeling of being on edge, tension, irritability, sweating, trouble concentrating and other symptoms.
If you experience the symptoms of any of these mental health conditions after a workplace accident, talk to your health care provider. He or she can refer you for mental health treatment and help determine whether the symptoms are directly related to your injury. You will need to prove this connection to the workers’ comp insurance adjuster to qualify for additional benefits.
Report any workplace injury right away so you can qualify for Connecticut workers’ comp coverage. These benefits include payment for loss of income, medical treatment and other associated expenses.
