Not only can workers comp be claimed for psychological injuries, such cases might also be more common than you think.
Yes, workers compensation can be claimed for psychological injuries. In fact, such claims are becoming increasingly common and will likely be accepted, as long as there is a clear link between the injury sustained and the employee's workplace.
Below are two examples of psychological workers comp claims we often encounter.
*All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.
Example 1: Work-related stress due to bullying
Sarah*, a marketing manager at a mid-sized company, experiences ongoing bullying from her supervisor for several months. The supervisor would publicly criticise her work, isolate her from team discussions, and repeatedly threaten her job security. Sarah's anxiety levels gradually increase, leading to frequent panic attacks, insomnia, and an inability to focus at work.
She eventually seeks medical help from her GP and is diagnosed with work-related anxiety and depression. Sarah files a workers compensation claim, citing psychological injury caused by the workplace bullying. The claim is accepted, as the psychological injury was a direct result of the work environment. Workers compensation covers her treatment, including counselling sessions and prescribed medication, and she is also eligible for compensation during her time off work while she recovers.
Example 2: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from workplace incident
John*, a construction worker, was involved in a serious on-site accident where a co-worker was severely injured. Although John was not physically harmed, witnessing the accident deeply affected him. In the weeks following the incident, he begins experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme anxiety whenever he returns to the construction site. Eventually, he is diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by a psychologist.
John files a workers compensation claim for psychological injury. As his PTSD is directly linked to the traumatic incident that had occurred at work, his claim is accepted. Workers compensation provides coverage for his psychological treatment, including therapy and medication, as well as partial wage replacement during his recovery period.