Work related injuries can bring about extensive collateral damage. The feelings that come with having physical pain, financial stress, loss of income, and a potential life-long disability can be overwhelming and leave an individual feeling isolated and alone. Injured employees frequently develop depression or anxiety. So now, you have a physical injury compounded by emotional suffering, which leads to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and a loss of work.

Why Psychological Wellness Matters in Workers’ Compensation

16 million adults in the United States suffer from Depression. That is 6.9% of the total adult population—and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It is also one of the top reasons for short term disability absences with both white-collar and blue-collar workers.

It is becoming clear to employers that not having psychological services available for employees in need can significantly affect their productivity level. People with untreated mental issues are also more likely to turn to unhealthy habits like smoking cigarettes, abusing substances, keeping a poor diet, and being inactive. These unhealthy habits account for the largest percent of chronic illness globally. Employers would serve well to recognize the devastating affect stress can have on an employee and their family.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Psychological Issue

Workers’ compensation claims are divided into three categories nationally with each state having their own variations.

Physical-Mental Claim: Where a psychological issue develops after a physical injury was sustained.

Mental-Physical Claim: Where a physical injury occurred because of something going on mentally, such as an employee suffering a massive stroke after witnessing a traumatic workplace robbery.

Mental-Mental Claim: Mental disability with no physical injury.

In Georgia, they only psychological injuries covered under workers’ compensation laws are those that developed after sustaining a physical injury. Individuals who develop mental issues without having sustained a physical injury generally will not be recognized by workers’ compensation.

Pursing Mental Illness Claim Without Physical Injury

Pursuing a mental illness claim for workers’ compensation is complex, as the claimant must be able to show a link between the workplace and the mental illness—and demonstrate the cause was not personal, but because of factors in the workplace. In other words, the claimant would need to prove that the cause of the stress was primarily related to work. And then show that stress has resulted in a permanent impairment and with levels above normal for the position. Trying to establish a causal link between the workplace and psychological symptoms is extremely difficult and individuals pursing such a claim would be wise to retain a lawyer.

There needs to be a shift in attitudes. Mental health issues allowed to go on untreated (and possibly unrecognized) will eventually destroy the employee’s productivity, damage their career, and negatively affect their physical recovery and ability to ever return to work normally. Workers should be able to rest assured that their mental health is being considered as much as their physical health is and employers must realize that the financial implications are significant. Investing in keeping employees mentally healthy will have a positive effect on their bottom line. If there is ever going to be improved outcomes in the workplace, then both physical and mental components of a person should be assessed and treated.