Minnesota first made post-traumatic stress disorder a compensable condition under the state’s workers’ compensation program back in 2013, and plenty of workers have been getting the mental health counseling and care they need ever since. This is especially beneficial for public safety workers like paramedics, police officers and other first responders who often deal with traumatic experiences on a regular basis. In fact, PTSD claims have become the second biggest source of workers’ compensation claims for public workers in the state. Here’s a little bit more about workers’ compensation-related PTSD benefits in Minnesota.
PTSD Compensation In Minnesota
You might imagine that compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder in a work setting is a common form of compensation, but unfortunately that’s not true everywhere. Minnesota only passed legislation making it compensable back in 2013, and our neighbors to the west in North Dakota have repeatedly voted down resolutions that would make such claims available. So while our first responders are a little more protected, know that it’s not the case across the US.
PTSD also appears to be an escalating trend here in Minnesota. Estimates suggest that PTSD claims will make up about 18 percent of workers’ compensation costs in 2020, which would put it behind only the projections for strains and sprains. A closer look at past PTSD claims reveal that roughly two thirds of PTSD claims are for lost time at work, and about one-third are for medical expenses. Interestingly, this is the opposite of most workers’ compensation claims.
What this shows is that mental injuries can be just as damaging if not more damaging to a person’s ability to return to work in a full capacity after an incident. Moreover, many of these public employees can’t return to work if they are anything less than their best, because their safety, the safety of their coworkers and the health of those they are tasked with protecting are all on the line every single day.
One of the biggest obstacles public workers and anyone filing for work-related PTSD benefits face is the stigma associated with PTSD and mental health. Many people are afraid to seek care and compensation because they are afraid what others might think if they found out that one of their coworkers or friends was receiving mental health or PTSD counseling and care. Simply put, you have to get over this perceived perception because you can’t be at your best in your personal or professional life if you aren’t taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health. If you truly want to help yourself and those around you, put your mental health first. That’s where we come in.
If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping or other mental health issues as a result of your line of work, please contact a workers’ compensation firm like Hey Workers. We’ve helped countless workers get compensation for time away from work and to offset medical bills or mental health counseling sessions. We live in a state that recognizes the risks you take on each day, so if you are dealing with PTSD or similar issues as a result of your line of work, you have the right to fall back on these options that the state provides. We can take care of the entire process, you just need to pick up the phone.
Don’t face your demons alone, because you have allies who want to stand by your side and help you get everything you deserve on your path back to full health. Let the experienced team at Hey Workers manage your claim while you focus on the most important factor – your health. To learn more about the process or to get the ball rolling on a PTSD claim here in Minnesota reach out to our firm today.
