Does PTSD Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Minnesota?

For countless Minnesota workers, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) transforms familiar workplaces into sources of overwhelming anxiety and fear, leaving them unable to perform their jobs. If you develop PTSD, you may wonder if workers’ compensation benefits can help you recover and rebuild your life following the trauma. The answer depends on several factors, but an attorney can help explain your options and pursue the support that you need during this difficult time.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD develops after exposure to a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. While many associate this condition with military service, it can affect anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, including first responders, healthcare workers, and other professionals exposed to challenging situations at work.

Common symptoms of PTSD often emerge within months of the traumatic event. These may include:

• Intrusive memories and flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Nightmares and disturbing dreams about the incident
• Severe emotional distress when exposed to reminders of the trauma
• Physical reactions like rapid heartbeat or sweating when remembering the event
• Avoiding places, people, or activities that trigger memories
• Emotional numbness and difficulty feeling positive emotions
• Persistent negative thoughts about yourself or others
• Feelings of hopelessness about the future
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Problems with concentration and memory
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
• Irritability and angry outbursts
• Being easily startled or frightened
• Self-destructive behavior, such as excessive drinking
• Constant vigilance for potential dangers

Eligibility for Workers’ Comp and PTSD in Minnesota

Minnesota recognizes PTSD as a compensable condition under workers’ compensation law. However, your case must meet specific criteria in order to be covered. 

The state’s workers’ compensation system recognizes three distinct types of mental injuries. The first category includes physical injuries that lead to mental health conditions, such as developing depression after a severe workplace accident. The second involves mental stress that causes physical injuries, like a heart attack triggered by extraordinary work-related stress. The third category covers purely mental injuries, including PTSD that develops without an accompanying physical injury.

For PTSD cases specifically, the condition must directly result from your work duties or workplace incidents. First responders, healthcare workers, and others who witness traumatic events during their normal work duties may qualify. The state also recognizes PTSD claims from workers who experience sudden, traumatic incidents in otherwise routine jobs, such as witnessing a severe accident or being the victim of workplace violence.

However, certain situations do not qualify for compensation. PTSD that develops from normal employment falls outside coverage, even if these actions cause significant distress. This includes layoffs, terminations, demotions, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, transfers, or promotions.

Discuss Your Claim Eligibility with a Minnesota Workers’ Comp Lawyer

Living with work-related PTSD creates enough challenges without having to navigate a complex workers’ compensation claim. In these situations, an attorney can assess your legal options and determine whether you qualify for a claim. If you do, they can help establish the connection between your work and your PTSD so that your claim meets Minnesota’s specific legal requirements. 

After your diagnosis, contact a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your next steps and plan your journey to recovery.