Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Mental Illness?

When you think of workers’ compensation, you often picture physical injuries. Sometimes, workers can suffer injuries on the job that aren’t as easy to see.

What if the harm you suffer on the job is mental or emotional? Does workers’ compensation cover mental illness?

If you’re struggling with a work-related mental health issue, here’s what you need to know about your rights and options for workers’ compensation.

Mental Health and Workers’ Compensation

To answer the question, mental illness can be a compensable work injury under Maryland law.

However, unlike physical injuries, these claims have an added layer of complexity. You must meet certain criteria and provide medical documentation that shows the condition is directly related to your job.

Mental health workers’ comp claims fall into two categories:

Mental Claims Related to Physical Injuries

This is the more common type of claim.  In these situations, a mental health condition develops as a result of a physical injury.

For example, if you suffered a serious fall at work and injured your back, that could lead to a mental health issue. As you cope with chronic pain, limited mobility, and lifestyle changes, you begin experiencing depression.

If your doctor can link your depression directly to your physical injury, your mental health treatment may be covered under workers’ comp.

Mental Claims Related to Job Duties

These claims involve psychological injuries. In short, these mental health conditions arise without any physical injury. For example, if a nurse develops PTSD after witnessing a traumatic incident or a first responder suffers from anxiety after repeated exposure to violent scenes, these may fall into this category.

Unfortunately, these claims are harder to win. Maryland courts have recognized that if the mental condition develops from an “unexpected and unforeseen event” or repeated exposure to traumatic experiences inherent in the job, the injury may be compensable.

One example is the case of Means v. Baltimore County. With that, a paramedic developed PTSD due to her exposure to traumatic incidents while on duty. The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled in her favor.

In turn, that sets a precedent that mental health injuries can qualify for workers’ comp benefits.

What You Need to Prove

Proof is essential when you’re dealing with a mental injury. You’ll need documentation showing:

• A clear diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional.
• A direct link between your condition and your job duties or a certain event at work.
• Medical evidence that your condition impairs your ability to work or carry out daily activities.

Many times, this is where many claims fall short. General workplace stress or dissatisfaction with a supervisor won’t be enough to claim benefits.  The mental health condition must stem from something unusual or traumatic in the course of employment.

Certain Professions Are at Higher Risk

While anyone can experience work-related mental illness, some occupations face a higher risk of developing mental health conditions due to the nature of their responsibilities.

These include:

• Paramedics and EMTs
• Police officers and firefighters
• Healthcare workers
• Teachers and school staff
• Correctional officers

The emotional toll of repeated trauma, crisis response, or exposure to violence can result in legitimate psychological injuries.

In many cases, they can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Why These Claims Can Be a Challenge

There’s still a stigma surrounding mental health. These injuries are often invisible, harder to document, and easier for insurance companies to challenge. Employers or insurers may argue that the condition existed before your employment or was caused by personal issues outside of work.

You’ll need the right support to get your benefits. A mental health provider can help document your condition, and a skilled workers’ compensation attorney can present a strong, evidence-based claim.

What to Do in This Situation

If you believe your job has harmed your mental health, here’s what you should do:

• Talk to a medical professional: You will want to get a formal diagnosis and start treatment. This step is important for any workers’ comp claim involving mental health.
• Report the issue to your employer: Even if there’s no physical injury, you must notify your employer about the mental health condition and its connection to your job.
• Document everything: Keep detailed records of work incidents, symptoms, and treatment.
• Consult an attorney: These cases are rarely simple. An experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights and improve your chances of success.

Some work-related mental health issues can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. If you’ve been affected mentally or emotionally by your work, you may have a valid claim.

Our team is here to listen, guide, and advocate for you. If you have questions about a mental health-related workers’ comp claim in Maryland, Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, is here for you.