How to Make a Claim for Work-Related Stress Injuries

Workplace stress can cause a string of physical injuries which is a result of repetitive movements. Repetitive movements for a prolonged period of time cause several types of injuries such as muscle strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. There are rare instances where work related stress has caused emotional distress and mental trauma. Both these types of injuries are compensable according to workers’ compensation lawyers.

Physical – Stress Injuries

Injuries that are caused by excessive physical stress are easily identifiable. For example, someone who has a typing job can suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome while others who lift heavy objects can suffer from back injuries. Constructions workers who use jack hammers constantly can suffer from nerve damage. Employees who are engaged in repetitive work for extended periods of time can suffer from stress-related injuries and have the right to claim worker’s comp insurance benefits.

Drillbit Taylor was employed in repetitive work in the eponymous movie. In that movie, he was hired by some young teenagers who were victims of a bully. Drillbit Taylor keeps getting punched by this guy named Filkins who is in high school who is the same bully these young high school kids need help with. Now Drillbit Taylor could not claim worker’s comp since his employers were not legal employers and they were not paying worker’s comp payment on the behalf of Drillbit Taylor anyhow so Drillbit Taylor would not be able to make any claims.

Drillbit Taylor’s job was not real or even legal. Your job is, right? You have the right to make a claim if you are actually injured on the job. Drillbit Taylor could not use this website (Workers-Comp.USAttorneys) to find worker’s comp legal counselor. You can. Legal help is right around the virtual corner.

Moreover and generally you are not allowed to file a lawsuit against your employer and you will have to claim benefits from your worker’s comp. Worker’s compensation attorneys point out that you are entitled to receive compensation for all your medical bills and a portion of your weekly wage which will be paid while you were unable to work and were recovering from the ailment.

Worker’s compensation lawyers express the point that it is vital to report the injury to the Human Resource department. Sometimes you are required to inform your employer’s insurer simultaneously to get the claim’s process started. You must start your treatment at this point.

It is extremely vital that your physician is able to determine whether your injury is work-related or not. In many states you will have to get yourself evaluated by an independent physician under the worker’s compensation laws. This physician is usually appointed by the insurer. Even though this examination is termed as independent remember it is anything but so. Therefore, it is prudent to involve a legal counselor before agreeing to a medical examination.

If your employer and his insurer believes that you have suffered an injury due to work-related stress then you will be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Wage loss
• Permanent impairment
• Vocational rehabilitation

Emotional Trauma or Mental Stress

Compensation for emotional injuries is harder to obtain because these injuries are difficult to prove. In some states workers compensation does not cover emotional stress. This is because it is difficult to establish that the emotional stress is linked to the job and not to any other extraneous factors unrelated to work.

There are certain other means of receiving compensation if the mental trauma is egregious in nature and if your worker’s comp does not provide coverage. You can file a personal injury lawsuit but you must be able to prove extremely outlandish conduct on the part of your employer.

In some states you can get compensation through a social security disability claim. However to attain such a benefit you have to meet a very high bar.

If you have suffered work related injuries make sure to consult an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer before you start the process of claiming benefits. Your legal counselor will make sure that the paperwork is in order and in accordance with state regulations and that the filing procedures are duly met to eliminate any scope or opportunity for denial.