If you have been traumatized at your New Jersey job and are unable to work, you might be able to collect temporary or permanent workers’ comp for the incident. The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has stated that almost eight percent of Americans will suffer from PTSD at some point, and only a fraction of those cases relate to military service. For those experiencing PTSD due to a work-related incident, obtaining financial compensation without the aid of an attorney can be challenging.
As with physical injuries, it must be proven that the mental health symptoms are directly resultant from the workplace incident. A lawyer familiar with the nuances of compensation claims can ensure that your application is complete and timely. Their ability to acquire the right evidence to substantiate your claim will help you prove the condition interferes with your ability to work and that the triggering event occurred within the scope of employment.
The symptoms of PTSD include mental, emotional and physical components. If you are easily startled, irritable or have nightmares related to the incident, these are signs you are suffering from PTSD. Your emotional symptoms might include anxiety, depression or acting out with obsessive compulsive behaviors.
The physical signs your doctor will look for include fatigue, high blood pressure and headaches. Other symptoms can be assessed by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine your diagnosis. You will need to have an accurate diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional in the State of New Jersey in order to receive compensation for your work-related trauma.
In addition to your psychological records, a workers’ comp attorney can acquire interviews from friends, family members and co-workers substantiating your mental health claims. They can also prepare challenges for anything the fraud investigation team might bring forth, including previous mental health treatment and your criminal record.
The three types of mental health workers’ comp claims are physical-mental, mental-physical and mental-mental. In the first, a physical accident results in a mental health condition. For example, depression after breaking a leg. The second involves claims where a mental condition creates a physical symptom, such as elevated blood pressure. Mental-mental cases, in which mental or emotional trauma creates further mental distress.
In the State of New Jersey, mental-mental cases can be won, if the stimulus falls within an acceptable “unusual” category for the position. A qualified workers’ comp legal team can help you prove all of these types of cases, including advocating for your future needs and appealing any decisions that are not in your favor.
If you are suffering from PTSD related to a workplace incident, contact Gold, Albanese, Barletti & Locascio, L.L.C. today for a consultation.