Can I Get Workers' Compensation for PTSD in Illinois?

 Posted on July 30, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Most employees in most fields are entitled to workers’ compensation if they get injured while doing their job. Some conditions can be seen on the outside, but issues that affect your mental health can go undetected. However, PTSD can impair job productivity, emotional and physical health, and quality of life just as much as a physical injury. Illinois workers’ comp laws recognize PTSD as a condition entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD due to something that happened at work, speak with a compassionate Schaumburg, IL workers’ comp attorney who can help you understand your rights and navigate the claims process.

What Does PTSD Feel Like?

PTSD is a mental health disorder associated with going through a traumatic incident. It can present itself through various symptoms in varying degrees, but there are four main categories of how people experience it:

• Intrusive symptoms: Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts about the trauma, and emotional distress when reminded of it.
• Avoidance symptoms: Being emotionally detached or numb, avoiding conversations about the trauma or other related topics, and avoiding people, places, or activities that might make you think about what happened.

• Negative mood: Feeling detached from others, being unable to experience positive emotions, and having persistent negative feelings and beliefs.

• Reactivity: Hypervigilance, inability to focus, exaggerated startle response, outbursts or irritability, difficulty sleeping, and other stress responses.

Who Is Eligible for PTSD-Related Workers’ Comp?

To receive workers’ comp benefits for PTSD in Illinois, your condition needs to meet various conditions, including:

• Work-related: You have to prove that your PTSD was the result of something that happened while you were at work. 
• Medically proven: You need an authorized medical professional to give you a diagnosis of PTSD. The diagnosis should show a direct link between the traumatic event at work and your symptoms.
• Promptly reported: You need to inform your employer of the traumatic event and your PTSD symptoms as soon as possible so your case can get started.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Arlington Heights, IL Workers’ Comp Lawyer

As a worker in Illinois, you are entitled to workers' comp benefits for PTSD if it resulted from something that happened while you were doing your job. While it can be hard to prove that your symptoms meet the conditions for coverage, a skilled Rolling Meadows, IL workers’ comp attorney can help you gather all the necessary evidence, navigate the bureaucratic procedures, and negotiate with insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve. Call Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000 to schedule a free consultation.