As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, Minnesota workers may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation payments if they are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) arising out of their employment. Recently, that benefit was put to the test by a sheriff’s deputy who received plenty of pushback when attempting to collect workers’ compensation after dealing with significant PTSD related to his employment. We take a closer look at the case below.
PTSD Workers’ Compensation Benefits In Minnesota
The case centers around a Carlton County sheriff’s deputy who witnessed a number of deadly incidents during his career. Following the suicide of his partner, the deputy began seeing a clinical counselor and stepped away from his job for nearly two years while he sought counseling.
The deputy was eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. A psychologist stated that he was not fit for duty as a law-enforcement officer and was actually incapable of work in any capacity. The deputy informed his supervisors and was placed on leave. The county filed a report of injury with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, but they denied liability and arranged for a second psychological evaluation to take place. The second psychologist diagnosed the deputy with a major depressive disorder that was unrelated to his employment.
That led to a workers’ compensation judge denying benefits to the deputy, as the judge stated that the second psychologist’s report was “more persuasive.” The deputy filed an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, which ended up taking his side. The case was then appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, who agreed with the Court of Appeals. In their decision, the state Supreme Court stated that despite the opinion of the second psychologist, the deputy met the conditions that have been set in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD. They noted that the initial diagnosis from a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist satisfied the legal requirement for benefits.
“Nothing in the statute suggests that a compensation judge needs to specifically determine that an employee’s PTSD diagnosis is more credible than any competing diagnoses before the presumption applies,” the Minnesota Supreme Court wrote in its opinion.
We’re glad that the deputy was able to get the compensation that he rightfully deserved, and the clarification from the state Supreme Court should only make it easier for first responders and police officers who find themselves in a similar situation to get the compensation they are owed. If you believe that your PTSD diagnosis is related to your work and are wondering if you are eligible for compensation in Minnesota, make sure you reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney. We’ll gladly fight on your behalf to ensure you get any compensation that you’re eligible to receive.
For more information, or to talk to an attorney about the possibility of earning injury compensation, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
