Working a high-pressure job is well known to correlate to high levels of stress, which are becoming more and more linked to numerous physical ailments. If you have experienced one or more ailment associated with stress on the human body, you may qualify for workers’ compensation for a work-related illness.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining whether your stress-related ailment may qualify for workers’ compensation. If you believe that you may be suffering from excessive work-related stress, it is vital to consult with an experienced attorney who understands the nuances of workers’ compensation, especially as it operates in your industry. For instance, some places like New York City treat any heart attack suffered by a police officer as a work-related event, regardless of when or where it occurred.
There are many factors that may affect how your ailment may be categorized — not only your line of work and your duties there, but also how long you have been serving in that capacity and where your job is located. It is a reasonable distinction, for example, to say that a firefighter in a dry region prone to fire outbreaks experiences different levels of stress than an accountant in a suburban town. However, each case has details that must be considered on its own merits. If you have suffered a stress-related illness, do not hesitate to consult with an attorney who can help you determine what options you may have for recovery.
Determining what is a work-related injury is not always as simple as it seems, especially considering how much or jobs affect our entire lives. With proper legal guidance, you can evaluate the the specifics of your situation and chart a path forward, while ensuring that your rights remain protected in the pursuit of justice.
Source: Law Office of Rockwell Kelly & Duarte LLP, “Workers’ Compensation,” accessed March 03, 2017