Can I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Psychological Injury?

In many work settings, employees can encounter situations that lead to psychological injuries, such as witnessing a traumatic event or being subjected to harassment. These incidents can affect workers’ mental health, resulting in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or severe anxiety.

If you experience psychological injuries from incidents related to your work, Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation program provides benefits to assist you during your recovery. Speak with our Appleton workers’ compensation attorneys at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers to understand what’s covered and secure the benefits you’re entitled to.

When Can You Get Workers’ Compensation for Psychological Injuries?

In Wisconsin, if you’re injured or become ill because of your job, you’re covered by workers’ compensation. This means you can receive benefits if your injury or illness is linked to your work duties.

Many workers’ compensation claims are filed to help pay for medical costs for physical injuries at work, but you can also file for benefits for psychological injuries or illness. This applies if you suffered an injury at your job and the impairment makes it difficult or impossible to perform your duties.

What Mental Injuries Can You Seek Benefits For?

Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation benefits extend to various mental health issues connected to your employment. Covered conditions include:

• Anxiety: You can receive benefits if your job exposes you to unusually high stress levels, leading to a diagnosable anxiety disorder. For example, you are a first responder and routinely encounter traumatic or life-threatening situations.

• Depression: You are eligible for benefits if work conditions, such as harassment or unreasonably high demands, result in clinical depression.

• PTSD: If you develop PTSD following traumatic incidents in the workplace, such as witnessing a fatal accident or being a victim of violence, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits.

What Benefits Can You Receive?

If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for a psychological injury in Wisconsin, you can receive financial assistance during your time away from work.  These benefits include:

• Medical Expenses: Workers’ compensation typically covers the cost of medical treatment, therapy, and medication related to your psychological injury. This can include visits to therapists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals.

• Wage Replacement: Workers’ compensation provides partial wage replacement while you cannot work due to your psychological injury. This is typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage, helping you cover essential living expenses.

Wisconsin’s maximum weekly wage replacement in January 2024 was $1,944 for temporary and permanent injuries.

• Vocational Rehabilitation: If your psychological injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, workers’ compensation can pay for vocational rehabilitation services to help you develop new skills or find different employment.

• Permanent Disability Benefits: If your psychological injury results in a permanent disability affecting your work ability, you may be eligible for long-term benefits. These benefits are determined based on the severity of the disability and its impact on your earning capacity, offering continued financial support.

What Qualifies Your Psychological Injuries for Workers’ Compensation?

To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for a psychological injury in Wisconsin, you need to demonstrate that your employment caused your condition. This involves proving the presence of extraordinary stressors beyond the normal emotional strain and tension typically encountered by employees.

You must document your condition and establish a clear connection between your job and the psychological injury. Our attorneys at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help you gather support for your claim, including:

• Medical evaluations and reports that confirm your psychological condition
• Evidence of workplace conditions or incidents that led to your injury
• Witness statements supporting your claim of unusual stressors at work
• Documentation of previous complaints or reports made regarding workplace stress
• Expert testimony from mental health professionals linking your condition to workplace stressors

Get the Benefits You Deserve After a Psychological Injury at Work

Psychological injuries at work can be just as devastating as accidents that cause physical harm. If you suffer psychological injuries due to your employment, our workers’ compensation attorneys at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help with your claim.

We’ll review the circumstances that caused your injury, help you gather documentation, and file a well-supported claim. If you’ve already filed and were denied, we can also help you file an appeal to get the benefits you are entitled to.

Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your workers’ compensation case.