This blog will guide you through the essentials of how mental health claims work, what’s covered, and what you need to know to protect your mental and emotional well-being. It’s time we treat mental health claims with the same legitimacy as physical injuries—because they deserve nothing less. Let's dive in.
Workers' compensation can cover a wide range of mental health issues, as long as they’re tied to your work environment or a specific work-related incident. Common examples include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event on the job, anxiety disorders caused by high-pressure or hostile work environments, and major depressive disorder stemming from workplace injuries or ongoing stress.
Claims may also cover conditions resulting from a single incident, such as witnessing a crime or accident, or from prolonged exposure to stressful circumstances, like bullying, harassment, or toxic work environments. Additionally, mental health issues that arise as a consequence of a physical injury—such as depression from chronic pain or the inability to work—are often included under the umbrella of workers' compensation.
To have a mental health issue covered by workers’ compensation, you need to establish a clear connection between your condition and your job. This often means providing a professional diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist and demonstrating that your mental health challenges are directly tied to a workplace event, environment, or injury.
If the condition stems from a specific incident—like witnessing a traumatic event or experiencing a hostile confrontation—you’ll need to show that it occurred during the course of your employment.
If it’s a consequence of a physical injury, such as depression following a severe accident, your medical reports should detail how the mental health condition developed as a result. The key is well-documented medical evidence linking your psychological condition to your work, as insurance companies often scrutinize these claims closely.
Absolutely. Mental health issues that arise after a workplace accident are often considered consequential injuries.
For example, if a severe physical injury leaves you unable to work, in constant pain, or isolated at home, it’s not uncommon to develop depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions as a result. Workers' compensation recognizes that these mental health struggles are a natural consequence of the physical injury and the challenges that come with it.
Even if you had a preexisting mental health condition, the worsening of your symptoms due to the accident or its aftermath can still qualify as a consequential injury. As long as your psychological issues can be linked to the original workplace accident or its physical effects, they may be covered under your workers’ compensation claim.
If you’re struggling emotionally or psychologically after a workplace injury, you should absolutely consider getting mental health treatment. Beyond helping you cope with the challenges of recovery—such as chronic pain, reduced mobility, or being unable to work—therapy or counseling can also play a crucial role in your overall healing.
There’s no shame in seeking help, and doing so can improve not just your mental well-being but also your physical recovery. However, it’s important to pursue treatment because you genuinely need it, not just to increase the value of your case. Attempting to bolster a claim without a genuine need for care can backfire.
If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, don’t hesitate to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist—it’s about prioritizing your health, not just your case.
If you’ve been cleared to return to work for a physical injury but still aren’t psychologically ready, your mental health condition can still justify staying out of work. Just as you would follow a doctor’s recommendation for a physical injury, you should adhere to the guidance of your psychologist or psychiatrist.
If they determine that you’re not emotionally or mentally prepared to resume work, this can be documented and presented as part of your case. Workers’ compensation doesn’t differentiate between physical and psychological injuries—they’re both treated as legitimate reasons to remain off-duty until you’re fully ready to return.
Proper documentation from your mental health provider is key to protecting your benefits during this time.
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.