Home » Memphis Personal Injury Lawyers » Memphis Workers’ Compensation Lawyers » Psychological Trauma
Psychological Trauma
Memphis Attorneys Representing Employees Injured on the Job
Psychological injuries, just like physical injuries, can cause extreme pain, discomfort, and hardship. If you developed psychological trauma on the job, your injuries, medical treatment, any resulting permanency of symptoms can be covered by workers’ compensation. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our Memphis workers’ compensation lawyers have fought for the rights of injured Tennesseans for more than 30 years. We understand the impact psychological trauma can have as well as the delicate nature of the situation. Our lawyers are available 24/7 for a no-cost, confidential case consultation.
Signs of Psychological Trauma
Psychological trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can manifest themselves in different ways among people. In Tennessee, employees suffering from the following symptoms can recover workers’ compensation benefits, as long as their injuries were suffered in the course and scope of employment. As discussed in more detail below, you can qualify for workers’ compensation if you sustain psychological trauma on the job, normally after a traumatic event.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Trouble concentrating
- Fear
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
Can You Get Workers’ Compensation for Psychological Trauma or PTSD?
Under Tennessee law, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits for psychological trauma sustained on the job. Psychological trauma, which includes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, can arise from a traumatic incident that occurred while the employee was performing his or her job duties. An example would be if an employee gets held up at gunpoint, either by a co-worker or someone committing a criminal act. Other examples include being the victim of a shooting, sexual assault, rape, robbery, or another crime. Psychological injuries can also arise after witnessing a traumatic event, such as a fatality.
Workers’ compensation benefits could be obtained following an incident that triggers trauma in the injured worker such that the injured worker requires psychological intervention and pharmacological intervention. You should report your symptoms to your employer immediately, as all workers’ compensation claims must be filed in a timely manner under the law.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Employees Suffering from Psychological Injuries
Per state law, employers with 5 or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Once you establish your psychological injuries occurred in the course and scope of your employment, workers’ compensation should pay for your follow-up medical treatment. For victims of emotional distress and psychological trauma, medical treatment may consist of counseling, therapy, exposure therapy, or psychotherapy. Medication may be prescribed as well. In a workers’ compensation claim involving psychological trauma, proper documentation of symptoms is critically important in terms of making sure the claim is deemed compensable.
Medical treatment can help the individual address their symptoms and any triggers of psychological trauma. If you are temporarily taken off of work while you treat, you can receive wage benefits. However, some people who suffer from conditions such as PTSD may never be the same. When symptoms become permanent, the injured employee may not be able to return to work altogether, or may have to take employment in a different field at a lower rate of pay. Your treating physician, psychiatrist, or counselor can provide a medical opinion as to whether your injuries are permanent in nature and cause permanent restrictions.
If your medical condition is deemed permanent by your treating physician, you could be entitled to a settlement under the workers’ compensation laws. One sign of permanency is when the trauma results in an inability to return to the injured worker’s previous line of work or occupation. The workers’ compensation lawyers of our Memphis firm have experience reviewing medical records, consulting with qualified medical experts, and reviewing impairment ratings assigned by doctors. Our goal is to ensure our clients receive a fair impairment rating given their experiences, medical treatment, and resulting limitations or restrictions, which allows us to fight for maximum benefits and compensation under the law.
Get a Free, Confidential Consultation with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
States like Tennessee have workers’ compensation laws in place to protect injured workers, and our firm takes pride in making sure injured workers receive the benefits to which they are legally entitled. Claims involving psychological trauma can be subjective in nature, making it important to have experienced and knowledgeable legal representation on your side to help you through the process. If you have questions for an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, call us toll-free at 800-529-4004, or complete our confidential contact form. Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims across the Mid-South, including Tennessee and Mississippi cities like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Jackson, Tupelo, and Oxford. Let us show you why NST is the way to go.
By submitting your information, you consent to receive SMS messages, texts, email communication, calls, and/or prerecorded messages from Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC. Message & Data rates may apply. By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.