Workers’ Compensation for PTSD

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that as many as 12 million Americans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 6% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lifetime. That means if you have PTSD, you’re not alone.

If you have PTSD, it may be from your work or related to your service in the U.S. armed forces. You may wonder if you can claim workers’ compensation or veteran’s disability benefits. For many workers, the answer is yes.

Lawyers for PTSD Workers Compensation and Veterans Disability

At Moebes Law, we are lawyers for PTSD workers’ compensation and veterans’ disability claims. If you suffer from PTSD because of your work, we invite you for a free initial consultation with our legal team. Learn if you can receive workers’ compensation and how our lawyers and staff can assist you. Contact us today.

Workers’ Compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Workers’ compensation for PTSD may be available to Georgia workers who have also suffered from a physical injury. When a worker has an injury on the job, and they suffer a mental health injury along with their physical injury, they may receive workers’ compensation benefits for both their physical and mental injuries.

GA Code § 34-9-280 (2018) creates the law for claiming workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder:

• Yes, it is possible to receive workers’ compensation for PTSD
• Georgia law requires a physical injury that accompanies the mental distress; occupational disease may qualify
• An occupational disease may not be one resulting from substantial exposure outside the employment; it may not be an ordinary disease of life that the general public is exposed to
• There must be a connection between the harm suffered by the employee and their mental distress
• A psychiatric problem alone is not an occupational disease under Georgia law unless there is an accompanying injury or disease

Georgia’s PTSD workers’ compensation requirements may seem unfair. A worker who has a near miss with heavy equipment may suffer extreme emotional trauma without a physical injury. Even so, they can’t receive compensation under Georgia law.

However, an individual suffering a relatively minor physical injury can claim both the physical injury and the mental distress. Even if the worker with the physical harm has much less total suffering and impact on their ability to work than the individual suffering the near miss, Georgia law gives only the physically injured worker access to benefits.

How our lawyers can help

Our lawyers explore every opportunity for you to receive workers’ compensation for PTSD. If you qualify, you deserve the full benefits available to you under the law. Our lawyers can help you investigate and pursue your claim knowing the requirements to receive compensation. If you are unfairly denied or awarded too little, we can help you challenge the amount.

Our lawyers are dedicated to helping injured workers with PTSD. We invite you to contact us for a confidential consultation about your case.

Veterans Disability Benefits for PTSD

Can I get veterans disability benefits for PTSD?

To get veterans disability benefits for PTSD, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are a veteran
• A stressful event happened, including a serious injury or sexual assault, including a threat of injury or sexual assault
• The stressful event causing the PTSD happened during active service
• You have a PTSD diagnosis from a physician
• Your PTSD inhibits your functioning and life activities

Is PTSD a permanent disability?

Yes, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes PTSD as a permanent life-altering condition that qualifies for benefits. A veteran may receive disability compensation or benefits because of a stress reaction resulting from trauma.

How much disability do veterans get for PTSD?

How much disability you get for PTSD depends on its severity. The rating system considers the degree of occupational and social impairment associated with the disorder. A person may be rated 10% to 100%. Ratings are given in increments of 10%.

What veterans disability benefits can I get for PTSD?

Benefits you may receive for PTSD are:

• Medical care
• Financial compensation payments
• Mental health care and PTSD treatment

Fighting for VA PTSD disability benefits

As lawyers representing veterans seeking PTSD for disability, we often see the VA downplaying the severity of symptoms. They may admit that the person has PTSD but deny it is interfering with their life. The VA should not average or minimize symptoms to award a lower rating. Our lawyers can help you review the rating you have been given and challenge a rating that is too low for your situation.

How our lawyers can help

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows service members suffering from PTSD to access the benefits they need and deserve. However, it isn’t always so easy. To receive the benefits you deserve, you must make a claim properly. You must file a claim and support it with the appropriate Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-0781 or Form 21-0781a). To get the compensation you deserve, you must understand what benefits you deserve. If benefits are not granted, you must challenge the decision in the right way.

The Moebes Law Veterans PTSD disability lawyers can help you with all these steps. We are an experienced legal team committed to helping veterans access the benefits that they deserve. We offer full-service, professional legal representation that honors our nation’s veterans.

Your VA benefits are something you have earned. If you may deserve compensation, we are happy to review your case with you and explain how our representation can help. We invite you to call us today for your free consultation.

Lawyers Representing Workers and Veterans with PTSD

At Moebes Law, we have the honor of representing Georgia workers and veterans. We offer free initial consultations for all new clients, as we are committed to keeping you informed of your case’s progress throughout the attorney-client relationship. If you have PTSD from your work or military service, we invite you to learn more about your right to workers’ compensation or veterans benefits.

Contact our lawyers today to talk about your case and begin.