Workplace accidents are more common than you may think. And a more surprising fact is that such injuries go beyond physical problems, rather they affect the victims psychologically as well. To make things worse, these psychological effects tend to go unnoticed and untreated. As a result, victims are left in a state of frustration, uncertainty and oftentimes depression. The psychological effects of physical injury come ahead in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and other types of mental stress.
When it comes to injury at the workplace, victims are most likely to suffer from financial stress too. The fear of looming disability and job loss can be traumatic. Fortunately, you may be eligible to get workers’ compensation benefits for such mental injuries if you have a workplace accident. Being aware of the psychological impact of these injuries, therefore, becomes essential if you seek to claim compensation for them. Let us explain them in detail.
Occupational injuries can cause depression
Research indicates that the rates of depression are higher in people who suffer from workplace injury. When coupled with physical injuries, depression can have a serious impact on the victim. It is, therefore, vital to recognize depression in time so that you can get financial compensation and therapeutic aid for the problem. Not aiding victims can be detrimental for the business as well because they are as responsible for psychological impact of workplace injuries as for the physical and financial impacts.
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There are other serious implications of workplace injuries
In addition to depression, there are several other serious implications that injured employees may have to deal with. These can range from anxiety to mood disorders, adjustment disorders, and substance abuse. Further, the stress of impending unemployment can just aggravate the problem. Daniel Gordon of the Gordon & Gordon Law Firm explains that you might be eligible for income replacement benefits if you aren’t able to return to work immediately after an accident or injury. While this will put your finances back on track, it can alleviate the psychological impact of the injury as well.
Psychological injuries can delay recovery too
Another aspect that every workplace injury victim needs to understand about the psychological injuries at workplace is that they can delay recovery as well. Obviously, the longer you take to recover, the later you will be able to resume normal activities. This can have a far-reaching effect on your well being and quality of life and social interactions. The risk of trauma is even greater in some specific cases such as divorced and widowed workers, those with low income and lack of access to healthcare.
The laws related to mental stress workers’ compensation claims differ by state. Moreover, such cases are difficult to handle as proving psychological impact is seldom easy. Prevailing on such a claim requires the worker to prove that a mental injury occurred as the result of a work-related psychological stimulus. Hence, it becomes important to have a seasoned attorney handling your case to ensure that you get the compensation you rightfully deserve.
