Injuries categorized under the banner of workers’ compensation injuries are not always exclusively physical in nature. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also instigate a workers’ comp claim and result in the payment of benefits for those who qualify. At Osterbauer Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you develop your claim for benefits and guide it successfully through any legal obstacles you may face in the process. When it comes to securing PTSD workers’ compensation, Minneapolis employees suffering from this condition can count on us to fight for the benefits they deserve.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This condition, as its name implies, involves the ongoing stress that an individual suffers from in the aftermath of a severe shock or injury. Some of the symptoms of this type of injury include individuals having a “fight or flight” response when certain events trigger traumatic memories, or the vivid recall of certain traumatic experiences. The symptoms, their intensity, and duration can vary between individuals based on the individual person and his or her experience. Some individuals recover from this condition within months, while others carry it for the rest of their lives.
Often we hear of PTSD cases among those who serve in the military. Many soldiers who have gone through dramatic battles and intensely fearful situations are suffering from PTSD, reliving traumatic occurrences years after their service has ended.
Who Can Make a PTSD Workers’ Comp Claim in MN?
If an employee receives a professional diagnosis of PTSD and that employee meets the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, workers’ compensation will cover the claim. In Minnesota, this is the only type of mental claim accepted under workers’ comp. With the help of our PTSD lawyers, St. Paul and Minneapolis employees can pursue their workers’ comp benefits with a high-powered legal team behind them.
If PTSD gets diagnosed as a result of a physical injury in Minnesota, that would be a physical/mental claim eligible for compensation. Absent any limited statutory exceptions or pre-existing history, after January 1, 2019, the presumption will be made that PTSD occurring in first responders gives these responders eligibility to receive workers’ compensation. However, if a worker claims PTSD as a result job performance issues, such as layoffs or demotions, it does not make the individual eligible for workers’ compensation.
At the Osterbauer Law Firm, our experienced Minnesota PTSD lawyers can thoroughly evaluate your case for PTSD workers’ compensation and fight on your behalf for the benefits you deserve. To arrange a free consultation, call our law office today at 612.334.3434 or complete our contact form.
