Feeling stress from your job is a common complaint across many industries. There are several situations that can cause mental strain at work such as a high amount of responsibilities, managing difficult personnel issues, meeting short deadlines, or working alongside unpleasant colleagues or a difficult boss. The stress one feels from these situations and others like them are issues that can come along with employment. According to the Pew Research Center, the country is pretty divided on how they feel about their jobs. Approximately 49% of people feel satisfied with their professions while 51% say they fall somewhere between feeling somewhat satisfied to very dissatisfied. Also, 51% of Americans say their job is a part of their personal identity while 49% say that their job is just something that they do to make a living.

The stress one feels from their job may feel overwhelming at times and even make a person feel physically ill to the point they need to take time off to get readjusted. Even though this may be true, a person who is experiencing significant mental exhaustion isn’t going to be able to secure Florida workers’ compensation benefits for the pain they are suffering. Florida workers’ compensation law doesn’t recognize stress from work as legitimate damage that is eligible for benefits.

Are There Exceptions for Stress and Florida Workers’ Compensation?

If the only suffering you are experiencing is coming from stress you feel from your job, you aren’t going to be successful in filing a Florida workers’ compensation claim. There are some exceptions though, and that is why it gets a bit complicated when stress is involved in a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on what you do for a living, you may be able to qualify for benefits if you are found to legitimately have PTSD from the responsibilities of your job. 

In the state of Florida, first responders are able to file for benefits to help them manage their PTSD. First, a first responder who is suffering from mental trauma would need to see a licensed psychiatrist that is approved by their employer or their employer's Florida workers’ compensation insurance. When PTSD is determined to exist, it must be shown that the condition was a result of the responsibilities of the job. Any of the following examples that a first responder experiences qualify as leading to PTSD:

• Witnessing a deceased minor
• Witnessing the death of a minor
• Witnessing a deceased individual whose body is mutilated and appalling

These aren’t the only situations that can qualify, but they illustrate the types of circumstances that would make obtaining Florida workers’ compensation benefits for mental anguish a reality. If you want to understand what your rights are and if your situation warrants Florida workers’ compensation benefits, speak with Stephen M. Andrews. Stephen M. Andrews is a Tallahassee workers’ compensation attorney with more than 35 years of experience helping injured employees.

Speak with a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Stephen M. Andrews can help you with your Florida workers’ compensation claim and increase your ability to obtain the highest amount of compensation from all of the benefits you are entitled to receive. To schedule your free consultation with Stephen M. Andrews call (850) 906-9599.