An injury does not need to occur “at work” in order for it to be the basis of a compensable Workers’ Compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation benefits are appropriate whenever an injury “arises out of and in the course of” a person’s employment. This does not limit where an compensable injury may occur.
This means that injuries occurring while working from
home can be Workers’ Compensation claims.
This is important to know as many workers transition to
working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss an injury
you have sustained while working from home.
http://www.doddlawfirmct.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/logo.png00matthttp://www.doddlawfirmct.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/logo.pngmatt2020-03-25 21:27:002020-03-25 21:27:02Injuries While Working From Home
The phrase “Workers’ Compensation injury” traditionally
invokes images of sprained backs and carpel tunnel injuries. While physical injuries such as these may be
some of the most commonly occurring types of injuries sustained by workers, they
are not the only type of injury that may be covered by a Workers’ Compensation
claim.
In Connecticut, psychiatric or mental health issues such as
depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also be
compensable if they originate from a physical injury sustained at work. In most circumstances, current law requires
the existence of a physical injury which results a subsequent mental health
issue. There is currently an exception
to this law for police officers who are “subjected to serious physical injury
or death through the use of deadly force”.
Under such circumstances, a police officer would not need to sustain a
physical injury to bring a claim for resulting mental health issues.
While such mental health claims are often overlooked or
unaddressed, they are no less serious or deserving of attention than traditional
physical injuries. Many workers feel
they will be stigmatized by the need to address mental health issues. This certainly should not be the case. Work injuries, especially those that take the
injured individual out of work for an extended period, are stressful. It is easy and common for the uncertainty and
stress of physical injuries and money concerns in a Workers’ Compensation claim
to manifest in the form of depression and anxiety.
If you feel as though you are experiencing mental health
issues related to a work injury, please take comfort in knowing that you can
get medical care through your Workers’ Compensation claim to address your
mental health needs. Please do not
hesitate to discuss your work related mental health issues with your Workers’
Compensation attorney. By doing so, you
will be helping yourself to a more complete medical recovery.
https://www.doddlawfirmct.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/shutterstock_786114658-scaled.jpg14132560matthttp://www.doddlawfirmct.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/logo.pngmatt2020-01-20 21:06:332020-01-20 21:06:34INVISIBLE INJURIES: Mental Health Claims in Workers’ Compensation