Your mental health deserves the same attention as your physical injuries in a workers’ comp claim. In this guide I uncover the hidden facts that insurance companies don't want you to know!
Workers’ comp can cover a lot of mental health issues, as long as they’re connected to your job or a specific work-related event. For example, you might qualify if you’re dealing with PTSD after witnessing or experiencing something traumatic at work, anxiety from a high-stress or toxic workplace, or depression caused by a serious injury or ongoing work-related stress.
It can also apply to mental health problems from a one-time event, like seeing an accident or crime, or from long-term issues, like bullying, harassment, or a hostile work environment. On top of that, if you develop mental health struggles because of a physical injury—like depression from chronic pain or not being able to work—those are often covered too.
To get a mental health issue covered by workers’ comp, you’ll need to prove it’s directly connected to your job. This usually means getting a diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist and showing that your mental health struggles are tied to something specific at work—like an event, your work environment, or a physical injury.
If your condition comes from a single incident, like witnessing something traumatic or dealing with a hostile confrontation, you’ll need to show it happened while you were on the job. If it’s related to a physical injury, like depression after a serious accident, your medical records should explain how the mental health issue developed because of that injury.
The key is having strong, well-documented medical evidence linking your condition to your work since insurance companies tend to take a hard look at these claims.
Absolutely. Mental health issues that pop up after a workplace accident are often called consequential injuries.
For instance, if a serious physical injury keeps you from working, causes constant pain, or leaves you stuck at home, it’s pretty common to develop depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles because of it. Workers’ comp understands that these kinds of psychological issues can be a natural result of dealing with a physical injury and everything that comes with it.
Even if you already had a mental health condition before the accident, you might still qualify if the accident made your symptoms worse. As long as your mental health challenges are linked to the original accident or its physical effects, they could be covered under your workers’ comp claim.
If you’re feeling emotionally or mentally off after a workplace injury, getting mental health treatment is definitely worth considering.
Therapy or counseling can help you deal with the tough stuff, like chronic pain, limited mobility, or being out of work, and it can also be a big part of your overall recovery. There’s absolutely no shame in reaching out for help—it can make a huge difference for both your mental and physical health.
That said, make sure you’re seeking treatment because you truly need it, not just to try and boost your claim. Trying to pad your case without a real need can backfire. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Your health comes first—everything else follows.
If you’ve been cleared to go back to work for a physical injury but don’t feel mentally ready, your mental health can still be a valid reason to stay off work.
Just like you’d follow a doctor’s advice for a physical issue, you should listen to your psychologist or psychiatrist. If they say you’re not emotionally or mentally ready to return, they can document that, and it can be part of your case.
Workers’ comp treats physical and mental health issues the same—they’re both legit reasons to stay off work until you’re fully ready. The key is having proper documentation from your mental health provider to back up your claim and protect your benefits.
Dealing with a workers' compensation case—especially one involving mental health—can feel overwhelming.
If you’ve got questions or need someone to walk you through your options, just give me a call. No pressure, no obligation—just an honest conversation about what’s best for you. You can reach me, Rex Zachofsky, at 212-406-8989, and I’ll do my best to help you get the support and answers you need. Whether you’re in the early stages of your claim or facing challenges along the way, you don’t have to go through it alone.
