Best Mental Stress Injury Lawyers In California
In the case of physical injuries, X-rays, doctor’s reports describing symptoms, and visible signs of the injury are often sufficient evidence. However, injuries that may be caused by mental stress are more difficult to confirm or prove.
In some situations, workers’ compensation laws may not cover mental stress injuries. Other times, it can be difficult to link emotional stress to a job-related source. For this reason, an attorney may recommend exploring options outside of the workers’ compensation system, like filing a personal injury claim against a responsible employer or co-worker.
Top Attorneys For Mental Stress Injury Claims
Sources of mental stress are sometimes subtler in nature. For example, some co-workers may purposely create a tense work environment that results in a feeling of uneasiness. There are also instances when the source of mental stress is more apparent. For instance, a boss may reprimand you in front of others, set unrealistic goals for you or consistently give you excessively high workloads, or purposely place in you in stress-inducing situations. Possible causes of stress and anxiety in the workplace may also include:
- Bullying or harassment
- A “blame culture” where nobody is willing to admit mistakes
- Weak or ineffective management
- A poor physical working environment that affects you mentally (e.g., excessive heat, uncomfortable seating, poor lighting)
Some occupations are inherently stressful and potentially traumatic. Every shift, for instance, police officers, firefighters, trauma surgeons, and paramedics may encounter emotionally challenging situations. Some of these experiences may be difficult to overcome and may even contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder.
California’s Expert Mental Stress Injury Lawyers
Long-term exposure to stress in the workplace can mentally affect your judgment and cause you to make decisions that could cause even more stress at work. This is just one example of how your body and mind may be impacted by mental stress. You may physically experience back as your muscles become tense. Oftentimes, tense muscles affect your spine and the soft tissues that support it, which may contribute to chronic pain that can make your life at work even more stressful. Physical and mental signs associated with mental stress might also result in:
- Changes in appetite and sleep habits
- Irrational fears
- Addictions to food, drugs, or alcohol
- Mood changes
- Issues with personal relationships
- Prolonged periods of depression
Most Trusted Mental Stress Injury Lawyers
Diagnosing mental stress is often done through process of elimination. This may involve ruling out other possible causes of physical symptoms. If mental or emotional stress is believed to be a major contributing factor to the symptoms you’re experiencing, you may be referred to a physiologist for a mental health evaluation. Treatment often involves a combination of medication and various forms of therapy.
Best Psychological Injury Lawyers
Inform someone if you believe you are experiencing mental stress at work. This could be your direct supervisor or a member of your company’s human resources department. Make a formal report so that there is documentation of what you reported and what action was taken or not taken. Ensure that your rights are protected by adhering to your workplace’s rules and procedures for filing complaints, particularly with regard to time limits (e.g., within 60 days of the incident occurring). Consider keeping a journal of specific incidents, complete with dates and descriptions. This information may prove useful in the future if you work with an attorney to pursue compensation or a legal remedy.
Even if you no longer work in a stressful environment, the resulting injuries may continue to have a negative impact on your personal and professional life. Before deciding how to proceed legally, it can be useful to discuss your options with an attorney. A lawyer can also assist with obtaining medical evaluations and interviewing potential witnesses who may have witnessed work-related stress.