Suffering from an accident of any kind can leave people with a significant amount of emotional distress and physical pain. Often when workers are involved in a workplace incident and sustain physical traumas, they can also be subject to developing emotional wounds due to the trauma of the accident.
Workplace PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental condition that can occur when an individual suffers from an overwhelming or stressful event. Although most people are familiar with the term PTSD when it is associated with combat veterans and the military, the reality is that PTSD can impact people who have suffered from a traumatic accident of any kind, including at their place of employment.
Workplace PTSD is classified when workers experience severe cognitive, emotional, and physical obstacles associated with traumatic parts of their job.
Potential Causes of Workplace PTSD
When a life-threatening incident occurs at work, it can be significantly debilitating to perform job duties, let alone return to work. Certain events have the potential to lead to PTSD:
A life-threatening incident such as falling from high elevation or collapse of a building.
If a machine malfunctioned and could cause a severe injury or death.
A workplace accident that left a worker sustaining a traumatic injury.
Symptoms of Workplace Injury PTSD
People who have post-traumatic stress disorder can exhibit different types of effects. A worker’s PTSD can cause various symptoms, demonstrating itself in emotional, mental health issues, and physical symptoms. However, a grave reality of this condition is that it negatively affects a worker’s ability to function at work and leads to difficulty coping with the tragic event.
The main symptoms can include:
Severe anxiety
Intrusive thoughts
Mental anguish and emotional distress
Avoidance
Negative thoughts about self or others
Emotionally numb
Depression
Irritability
Returning to Work After a Workplace Injury and PTSD
Following an accident where you sustained severe injuries and emotional distress can be challenging. The most crucial action you can take is to focus on your healing and help manage your recovery before returning to work. Our Glendale workplace injury lawyer can help you with the next appropriate steps to take following an accident.
Seek medical treatment immediately and get appropriate medical care from your primary health care provider.
Listen to your body; take time to heal your physical and emotional wounds.
Seek a support group, therapy, or psychological evaluation.
Collaborate with your employer about your crisis and navigate how to ensure your safety at work.
The International Labor Organization reports approximately 2.3 million people worldwide experience a work-related accident every year. Although we can’t predict when an accident occurs, we can control how we handle the devastating outcomes. To heal and feel safe again in your workplace, it’s essential to speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer to discuss your options.
Contact a Glendale Workplace Injury Lawyer
California Law permits workers’ compensation for a wide range of disabilities resulting from job-related emotional stress. Therefore, workers who have experienced PTSD from a traumatic incident at work may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. It is essential to discuss your options with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney to assist you with filing a claim, navigating the legal process, and helping discuss what your options are.
Glauber Berenson Vego has over 100 years of collective legal experience representing injured workers from all industries who have suffered a workplace injury. If you or someone you love has sustained an on-the-job injury and is now suffering from PTSD, just know you are not alone, and we will do whatever we can to help. Contact us today at (626) 605-2450 to schedule a free case consultation. No matter your needs, you can rely on Glauber Berenson Vego to take care of you.