The Importance of Mental Health After Serious Workplace Accidents
For many years, medical professionals assumed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was an issue reserved for combat veterans. However, we now know that virtually any type of near-death experience (NDE) or traumatic event can lead to serious mental disorders – including PTSD. This includes work-related accidents. If you have survived a serious accident at a Chicago workplace, your mental health could be more important than you realize.
Why You Should Seek Mental Health Treatment After a Serious Accident
Although minor accidents might not require mental health treatment, you should not hesitate to seek help if you’re having trouble processing what happened. Mental health issues are particularly common after near-death experiences. You might also need treatment if you witness a co-worker suffer a serious or fatal injury. Workplace violence can also be extremely traumatizing, especially in regards to shootings.
Although it might be tempting to simply “tough it out,” proper mental health treatment can help you return to work as soon as possible. It might be difficult to focus if you’re still processing what happened, and this might even make additional accidents more likely. If you’re feeling pressured to return to work, speak with an experienced lawyer who can help you fight for your rights. In Illinois, the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) allows workers to use paid leave after 90 days of employment. You can use your paid leave to deal with mental health issues, and your employer cannot fire you or retaliate against you.
Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim For Psychological Trauma in Illinois?
Generally speaking, the workers’ compensation program in Illinois is geared toward physical injuries. However, you may be able to seek compensation for all medically necessary treatments that stem from physical injuries. In many cases, you might encounter psychological issues or disorders that stem from traumatic accidents and physical injuries.
For example, one of your limbs might have been amputated after a machinery accident. In this situation, you might encounter psychological issues including depression, the loss of self-esteem, or even suicidal ideations. Your workers’ comp claim may cover some or all of your psychological treatments.
It may even be possible to pursue compensation for a psychological injury in the absence of a physical injury. However, you will need to prove that your psychological issues are directly related to work, and this is not always easy. Speak with a workers’ comp lawyer today to learn more about your options.
Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help After a Chicago Workplace Accident?
While a workers’ compensation lawyer is not a medical professional, they may be able to help you access important treatment after a severe workplace accident in Chicago. In some situations, mental health disorders stemming from workplace accidents can qualify as “injuries” – and they may lead to additional compensation. You can use this compensation to cover mental health treatment. To learn more about your options, consider a consultation with the Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Connolly Injury Law today.
Sources:
https://labor.illinois.gov/laws-rules/paidleave.html
iwcc.illinois.gov/
