Image Licensing Protections: An Introduction

Image Licensing Protections: An Introduction

Workers' Comp And PTSD

Judy Alexander

If you are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome as a result of a work-related psychologically stressful event, you may be able to collect benefits from your employer's workers' compensation insurance company. You should know that PTSD is often more difficult to prove than most workplace conditions, but if your illness is caused by your work, you may be able to get compensation. You may be eligible for lost wages and medical expenses as a result of your PTSD, so read below for more information about how to get your claim approved.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as a mental disorder that is caused by witnessing a horrifying or especially brutal event. The "post" refers to a delay in symptoms of days, weeks or months. The most common and well-publicized symptom is a "flashback," where you seem to re-live the event. Other symptoms include problems with sleep, eating disturbances, anxiety, depression and more.

Workers' Comp and PTSD

Since workers' comp only covers work-related conditions, there must be a direct link between your job and your condition. While PTSD is most often associated with soldiers returning from war, many civilian jobs put people in situations that could result in PTSD, such as:

  • You are the victim of a robbery while working as a bank teller.
  • You are a law enforcement officer who responded to a mass-casualty event.
  • You are a commercial fisherman and witness the death of a co-worker.

How to prove your PTSD case

PTSD can be more challenging to prove, so if you are the victim of a work-related traumatic event, you must take steps to ensure your claim is accepted.

  • You must seek mental health care from a psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, certified mental health counselor, or other state-approved counselors for your condition. Finding and proving a link between your illness, your job and your inability to continue working at your job, is vital. A qualified mental health professional should be able to not only help you cope with your illness, but also testify to your condition.
  • Let your supervisor know about your issue as soon as you become aware of it and file the proper workers' compensation reports.
  • Show proof of the impact of the event on your day-to-day life by procuring witness statements from co-workers, friends and family.

The services of a workers' compensation attorney are vital when claiming PTSD for workers' compensation benefits. Don't waste time attempting to go it alone, you will need the help and support from a legal professional to help you build your case right from the start. You can get fairly compensated with good representation, so seek out legal assistance as soon as possible through a site like http://www.ieworkerscompattorney.com.


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2024© Image Licensing Protections: An Introduction
About Me
Image Licensing Protections: An Introduction

When you sell stock photography, there is always a risk that someone may use your image in a way that you didn't permit in the licensing agreement. When that happens, you need to protect your licensing rights. The best way to do that is to work with a copyright and licensing attorney. I've spent a lot of time researching fair use and licensing restrictions. I hope that the information here helps you to not only understand your rights as the creator but also to learn how to document and enforce those rights and seek legal resolutions when they are violated.

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