Citation

Wise EA. Psychol. Inj. Law 2016; 9(4): 283-297.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12207-016-9274-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A selected review of workers' compensation (WC) statutes reveals significant discrepancies between and within state coverage of job-related psychological injuries. Examples of the different rules on compensability of different types of injuries, across various state jurisdictions, are provided using specific case examples to demonstrate some of the more pronounced idiosyncrasies within and between the state statutes. PTSD and depression are frequent WC claims, and examples of how these injuries are treated within the WC systems, between states, are offered. In addition to an overview of various psychological injuries, attention is also provided to more specific qualifying issues, including extraordinary or unusual circumstances and occupational comparison groups (e.g., similarly situated). Examples of the omission of large bodies of scientific evidence related to the epidemiology, assessment, and failure to treat workplace psychological injuries are highlighted. Individual, employee, employer, and societal costs further demonstrate the implications of untreated psychological injuries. Given the disparity between the states and the lack of parity for mental health-related injuries, recommendations are offered to begin a move towards the parity of mental and medical benefits in WC.

Language: en