Managing Workplace Stress – What Are Your Rights After a Mental Health Injury?

Everyone lives with stress, but if experienced for prolonged periods of time, it can have a tremendously negative impact your health. Mental health experts say you can remedy the problem and thereby diminish its effects (or possibly eliminate them completely) if you deal with the source of your stress. What happens though when that source is your job, and what rights might you have to compensation? The following information can help you better understand your rights in a workplace stress injury case.

In a survey from the American Psychological Association, mental health experts found that some 75 percent of Americans had experienced at least one symptom of stress in the past month. Approximately 45 percent had admitted to losing sleep over stress during that same time-period. There is no way to know how many of them deal with chronic stress, but those that do are at risk for some serious physical and mental health complications. In fact, stress can cause everything from headaches and body aches to insomnia, irritability, and sluggishness.

In cases of extreme or prolonged stress, individuals may become at risk for major depressive episodes, ulcers, insomnia, or panic attacks. Chronic stress is also thought to trigger or exacerbate conditions like heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorders, and other brain imbalances in those that already have such conditions or are otherwise predisposed to developing them.

Stress can come from anywhere – finances, grades, relationships, or concerns over your future – but some sources are more common than others. If that source is work and there is a legitimate injury, the victim may be entitled to compensation. However, victims in such cases must bear the burden of proof, meaning they must prove their job is the source or cause of their mental health injury. Even in industries where such matters are common (i.e. posttraumatic stress disorder in law enforcement officers and emergency responders), this burden should not be borne alone. Instead, victims are encouraged to seek legal help.

At Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP, we understand the impact that a mental health injury can have on your life and we are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation that you deserve. Learn more about how our San Jose work injury lawyers can assist with your case by scheduling a free and personalized consultation. Call (408) 289-1417 today.

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