Workers’ compensation helps employees who suffer injuries or illnesses because of their jobs. While physical injuries are commonly recognized, mental health claims are equally important but often misunderstood. In Connecticut, understanding how mental health claims work under workers’ compensation can help employees get the support they need.
What qualifies as a mental health claim?
Mental health claims can come from different workplace situations. These include high-pressure environments or heavy workloads leading to stress. Workers may also experience persistent harassment or bullying at work.
Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, such as an accident or violence, could also lead to mental health issues.
Steps to prove a mental health claim
Proving a mental health claim can be harder than proving a physical injury.
- Keep detailed records of symptoms, treatments, and any workplace incidents that contributed to the condition.
- Get a diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional. Make sure they can connect the condition to work-related factors.
- Ask colleagues to testify about workplace conditions that may have contributed to the mental health issue.
Employees must show that their mental health condition arose out of and in the course of their job. This means the condition must be directly linked to specific work-related stressors or incidents.
Challenges of filing mental health claims
Mental health issues often carry a stigma, making employees hesitant to report them. Employers might contest the claim, arguing that the mental health condition is not work-related.
Potential benefits
If approved, employees in Connecticut can receive several benefits, such as medical treatment, wage replacement through temporary or permanent disability benefits, and support for vocational rehabilitation to help the employee return to work.
The importance of mental health in the workplace
Mental health claims under workers’ compensation play a vital role in ensuring employee well-being. When employees understand mental health claims and their implications, they can navigate the process more effectively.