Mental health symptoms can start on the job. Whether triggered by a serious physical injury or intense work-related stress, they can make it difficult to concentrate, handle daily tasks, or feel ready to return.
If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD after an incident on the job, you may be wondering if workers’ compensation covers it. Will it help pay for treatment or medication? What about missed wages while you’re unable to work?
Ohio’s workers’ compensation system allows mental health claims, but only under specific circumstances. These claims can be challenging to substantiate, and insurance carriers may attempt to deny or downplay them.
Learn when mental health conditions qualify, what kind of documentation you need, and how a skilled Cleveland workers’ compensation lawyer can help you secure the benefits you’re entitled to after a job-related injury.
When Mental Health Conditions Are Covered
In Ohio, mental health conditions may be covered under workers’ compensation, but only when they result from a physical injury that happened on the job. These claims are called “physical-mental” and must meet several requirements:
- Approved Physical Injury: The mental health condition must follow a workplace injury already accepted under the claim.
- Direct Connection: The psychological condition must be caused by the injury, not general job stress or personal issues.
- Medical Diagnosis: A licensed mental health professional must diagnose the condition and explain how it relates to the injury.
If your mental health condition meets these criteria, you can include it in an existing claim. However, there are a few exceptions.
Special Exceptions in Ohio
Most workers’ comp claims involving mental health require a physical injury, but Ohio law makes two limited exceptions:
- Forced Sexual Conduct: Mental health conditions may be covered when a worker is forced into sexual conduct through threats of physical harm. The assault must have occurred in the workplace or during work-related duties.
- PTSD for First Responders: Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs can qualify for PTSD-related benefits after a traumatic event at work. However, these claims are processed through a separate state fund, not the regular workers’ compensation system.
These exceptions are limited but important for workers facing trauma in high-risk environments.
What’s Not Covered Under Ohio Workers’ Compensation
Some mental health conditions feel work-related but still don’t qualify for coverage. Workers’ compensation won’t apply for:
- Conditions caused by general work stress, like long hours, management issues, or deadline pressure
- Emotional responses to being fired, demoted, or disciplined
- Distress from conflicts with coworkers or supervisors
- Trauma from witnessing a disturbing event at work, unless you were physically injured
- Pre-existing mental health conditions that didn’t clearly worsen because of a workplace injury
If you’re dealing with mental health symptoms and aren’t sure if they’re covered, speak to a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. They can assess your condition and help you understand your options.
How To Document a Mental Health Condition for Workers’ Comp
To include a mental health condition in your workers’ compensation claim, you need records that show how it’s connected to your injury.
Here’s what to gather:
- Formal Medical Diagnosis: An official diagnosis from a licensed mental health provider that explains the condition and connects it to your work-related injury. This shows the condition is medically recognized and job-related.
- Provider Notes and Reports: Treatment summaries, progress notes, and written observations about how the condition affects your daily life or ability to work. These help document severity and impact over time.
- Referral or Evaluation Records: Supporting records from doctors who referred you for mental health care or performed psychological assessments. These support the diagnosis and provide a clear treatment path.
- Personal Symptom Log: A record of changes in mood, sleep, focus, or other daily challenges. These notes provide additional context to support your medical records and illustrate how the condition affects you beyond clinical visits.
A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help you organize these documents and submit them properly with your claim.
Facing Mental Struggles After a Workplace Injury? Contact an Attorney Today
Dealing with anxiety, PTSD, or depression after a work injury is hard enough; filing a claim shouldn’t make it harder. Speak with Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy for trusted legal support.
Our Cleveland workers’ compensation lawyers understand Ohio’s system and know what it takes to build a strong case. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
