A serious injury from a warehouse or construction accident involves much more than just physical pain. Beyond the immediate injury, the challenges of recovery, lost wages and uncertainty about your future can take a significant toll.
If you are dealing with anxiety, depression or even flashbacks, know that these feelings are more than just stress. What many injured workers in Virginia do not realize is that the mental health consequences of a physical work injury can be part of your workers’ compensation claim. These are diagnosable medical conditions that deserve treatment.
Is mental health covered by workers’ comp?
Under Virginia law, worker’s comp often covers a psychological condition if it is a direct result of a physical work injury. This is known as a “compensable consequence.”
For example, if a severe back injury from a fall leads to diagnosed depression, the treatment for that depression may be included in your benefits. This is different from a mental health condition that develops slowly over time from general job stress, which is much a different claim.
Why medical documentation is crucial
Discussing your symptoms with your doctor is a critical first step. To have a mental health condition considered part of your workers’ compensation case, you must seek professional medical treatment.
Be specific about how your anxiety or depression affects your daily life, your sleep and your relationships. A formal diagnosis from a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist creates the official evidence needed to connect your mental condition directly to your physical work accident. Without these records, it is difficult to establish the link.
Protecting your total well being
An untreated psychological health condition can hinder your physical recovery, and proving the link to your workplace injury adds legal complexity to the claim.
You may consider speaking with an experienced attorney who can help you understand how to protect your rights and pursue the comprehensive care you need to heal fully.