North Carolina workers’ compensation law requires three elements to prove that a condition such as PTSD qualifies as a work-related disease or disorder. The three elements are:
- The condition must be characteristic of the type of employment;
- Doing the job exposes the worker to a greater risk of developing the condition or disease than that of a member of the general public;
- There must be proof of a causal link between the job and the condition.
These elements can be complicated to identify in some instances. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney who understands the law will understand the types of medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and other evidence needed to build a strong case for workers’ compensation PTSD benefits or a settlement.
Did Your Job Cause Your Anxiety Disorder?
Most types of work involve some pressure and stress at times. But some jobs involve high levels of stress that are beyond the ordinary stresses of everyday life to which the public is exposed.
Some examples of workplace situations that may lead to post-traumatic stress include:
- An emergency responder, police officer, EMT or emergency room nurse who responds to a motor vehicle crash involving severely injured children or adults or horrific deaths.
- A teacher or guidance counselor who is threatened or attacked by a student.
- A factory worker who witnesses an explosion that causes fatal injuries to others.
- A construction worker who sees another worker’s near fatal work site accident
Do You Qualify for a Workers’ Comp Payout for PTSD?
If you have questions about whether you or your loved one may qualify for workers’ compensation for PTSD in North Carolina, you should schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. We will review the specific details of your situation and explain your legal rights under the North Carolina workers’ compensation system.
If your employer has denied your initial claim for workers’ compensation benefits based on PTSD, we can help you appeal the denial. Most claims for benefits related to PTSD are initially denied.
Our lawyers have decades of experience handling workers’ compensation claims. We have been successful in obtaining workers’ compensation settlements related to PTSD. You will not owe any legal fee unless our attorneys are successful in securing a workers’ comp PTSD payout or settlement for you.
Attorneys Robert C. “Chip” Younce Jr. and David E. Vtipil are board-certified specialists in North Carolina workers’ compensation law. Board certification indicates that a lawyer has had additional education and training and passed a written test in a particular area of law. Only a small percentage of attorneys in North Carolina are certified by the North Carolina State Bar as specialists in workers’ compensation law. At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we are committed to using our knowledge and experience to help injured workers seek the benefits they need to move forward. Contact us for a free workers’ comp claim review and discussion of your legal options.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop as a result of experiencing or seeing a traumatic incident such as a serious or life-threatening workplace accident or violent assault. PTSD is commonly associated with combat veterans, but many jobs can expose workers to terrifying events leading to PTSD. After any highly stressful experience, it is normal to have some unsettled emotions and thoughts. If you continue to have symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares or stressful thoughts after more than a month, you may be experiencing PTSD.
