Workplace accidents can affect more than just your physical health. Suffering injuries or witnessing a severe accident can leave mental and emotional scars. These invisible injuries, just like physical ones, can affect your ability to work and live your day-to-day life.
Fortunately, Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation offers coverage for work-related mental and emotional disabilities. Here is everything you need to know.
The relationship between workplace accidents and mental health
Workplace accidents can have significant impacts on your mental health. This is especially true if they also cause physical injuries. Here are common examples:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Experiencing or witnessing a severe accident can lead to PTSD. This condition can cause flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and other debilitating symptoms.
- Depression: An injury can cause physical limitations, pain or lifestyle changes. In turn, these can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest in activities—all classic symptoms of depression.
- Anxiety: Concerns about returning to work, financial security or fear of another accident can lead to increased anxiety.
- Stress: Stress is a normal part of every job. However, it can become severe when an injured worker has to deal with medical appointments, insurance claims and legal proceedings after an accident.
A mental health condition may qualify for workers’ comp if it prevents you from working. That said, it must be severe or unusual given your line of work. This means general work stress would not count.
How to cope with accident-related mental struggles
Experiencing mental and emotional distress is perfectly normal after an accident. Even if the physical injuries heal, the mental health struggles may remain. Here a several ways that might help you cope:
- Reach out to your support system, such as family, friends and coworkers
- Connect with others who have experienced similar situations
- Take a break from work to heal
- Consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor
Injured workers deserve both mental and physical support. If you need help filing a workers’ comp claim, it is advisable to consult an attorney who can guide you through the process.