A work-related injury can affect you both physically and psychologically. Also, this can have a serious impact on your family. Because of your disability, you may need help with even simple daily tasks like taking a shower, getting dressed, or preparing your meals. Plus, you will have to live with the stress and worry of not being able to work and the financial effect this could bring. This psychological injury could make you entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Unfortunately, employers and their insurance carriers will usually cut corners and deny claimants the benefits they are owed for their mental health damage. This is where Richmond Workers’ Compensation Lawyers can help. A good attorney will help you get fair compensation for your mental health issues that result from an on-the-job injury.
Suffering From Depression After a Work-Related Injury
A lot of workers who sustain injuries on the job can suffer depression, especially in the months after their injury. This condition will compound the effects of their physical injuries, which makes recovery longer and reduces your chances of returning to normal functioning before you got injured. But, the good news is that you can get workers’ comp benefits for this type of condition.
Depression can develop if an injured worker has been unable to earn an income, does not have access to healthcare, and cannot engage in functional activities. Also, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common in people who got injured at work.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim for a Psychological Disorder
If you suffered significant psychological trauma because of a workplace condition, make sure you explore your options for a compensation claim. Some factors will determine the benefits you may get. First, you will need to go through a psychological exam that will consider your behavior, mood, speech patterns, thoughts, judgment, and psychomotor before and after the injury. Then, your overall history including professional and educational background, any pre-existing medical and psychological condition, as well as family and legal history will be considered. A workers’ comp attorney can get testimony from experts such as NDIS psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and social workers to get testimony that can support your claim.
Because the workers’ comp process is both complicated and daunting, you should not try to handle it on your own. An experienced attorney will handle your case and present all relevant facts, so you can get the full amount of benefits you are entitled to.
