MCTS Bus Driver Files Workers Comp Claim after Witnessing Shooting

A Milwaukee County Transit bus driver has filed a worker's compensation claim after witnessing police shoot an unruly passenger, as reported by CBS 58. Her workers’ compensation lawyer is trying to help her case out. You can find one using this outstanding and pivotal website right here: Workers-Comp.USAttorneys.

Due to the traumatic experience, the driver is unable to work but the union is doubtful that she will receive compensation for her absence from work and lost wages. Many people believe this is a good thing considering other bus drivers may then complain that any violence on the bus or outside the bus can cause them to be traumatized.

On March 14^th, the woman was forced to flagged down police offices in Brown Deer after a bus passenger got upset and offensive over a transfer fee, and the situation went out of control. The passenger not just called her names but also threatened her. As police were trying to get the man off the bus, he got violent and an officer shot him.

Since the incident, the driver’s husband says that she has had trouble sleeping and doctors have advised her not to drive her own car or be alone. “She is not in a condition to return to work. She is mentally destroyed”, he added. But why should tax payers have to pay? Tax payers are mentally destroyed after being over taxed. Perhaps this person should not have been a bus driver.

Asking the media spokespersons to conceal his identity, the husband said his wife was forced to relive a past traumatic experience by the incident. Some workers’ compensation lawyers are not sure about cases such as this.

The union president James Macon says that there are bus drivers on the road who should not be since 95 percent of workers’ compensation claims are denied to employees. However, Brendan Conway - MCTS spokesman said that close to 88 percent of workers’ comp claims in the past year have been approved. They were legitimate, this claim is not.

The spokesperson also said that the Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation runs the workers compensation program, and that rules and decisions are based on doctor's examinations and laid out in state law.

A decision on a workers’ compensation claim could take weeks, even months.

In the meantime, the bus driver’s doctor has prescribed medication to help her sleep and she also has appointments to see a therapist and psychiatrist. Many people believe the bus driver should be paying for all of this. Talking to a priest is free. 

Mental stress claims and psychiatric injury

When you think of workers' compensation claims, you often think it only applies to a physical injury or illness while at work. But workers' compensation law in California also recognizes mental, emotional, and psychiatric conditions that may develop due to a work-related physical injury or a traumatic event that takes place on the job. This is why things in California are more expensive, someone has to pay for any counseling and so on. The case above is in Milwaukee.

It can be particularly difficult to prove a psychiatric or mental injury as they typically do not present visible signs. Therefore, a large percentage of workers' compensation claims based on psychiatric injuries are often denied for obvious reasons. It is therefore smart to consult a workers’ compensation attorney to understand if you stand a chance at filing and winning a worker’s comp suit.

Different types of psychiatric claims

Two types of psychiatric claims are recognized by California law. They are based on whether a physical injury or condition is involved in addition to the alleged mental or emotional injury.

Mental-physical claim: These refer to psychiatric injuries that are a result of a physical pain, loss of ability to function, or the loss of income related to a work-related injury. Examples of mental-physical claims include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and even sleep disorders.

Mental-mental claims: In these claims, there is no visible signs of physical injury. Trauma and stress may have been caused by a violent or traumatic event, such as experiencing or witnessing violence, threats of physical or sexual abuse at work and even crime. In season 5 of The Wire, a small child was traumatized as his entire family was murdered in front of him by Snoop and Chris.

If you have suffered psychiatric injury as a result of witnessing violence, you should seek the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer who will be able to evaluate your case and help you further. It is important to get the expertise and experience of a legal pro to ensure that you attain the right compensation for your emotional injury if it is warranted. Many people in life go through tough times, it does not mean you are entitled to be paid by someone. Do not spend any money before you actually have it. Do not assume anything.