Most Illinois workers’ compensation cases involve physical injuries. You slip on a wet floor and tear your ACL. You do a lot of typing and get carpal tunnel syndrome.

Occasionally people have mental injuries like PTSD. That can happen from being robbed at gun point or seeing a co-worker get killed.

And at times people have a physical injury that leads to a mental injury too. Here is a scenario from someone who contacted us recently:

I tore my labrum in my left shoulder moving a patient. I have been on worker’s compensation since. I had surgery three weeks ago. This has taken a toll on my mental health to the point of having to start taking medications for it.

It’s a tough situation. This worker just wants to work and be healthy. She never wanted this to happen. Her recovery process is taking longer than expected and it’s starting to take a toll. She’s worried about her job, her future, paying bills and so much more.

This type of mental stress can happen. The good news is that she’s not ignoring it. The better news is that it’s an additional part of her workers’ compensation case. She has no history of mental health issues or treatment so it’s rather clear that her need for psychological care stems from the work injury.

Because this treatment traces itself back to a compensable work accident, she has two injuries instead of one and on top of having all of her medical bills and time off paid, she’s entitled to a settlement for two body parts.

What this additional injury is worth depends on her treatment and recovery, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it added $15,000-$20,000 more to her ultimate settlement. Most importantly, she will get the care she needs. Psychologists are expensive, especially if you have to pay out of pocket. She shouldn’t have to spend a penny.

I want you to know that this is not a unique case. It happens all of the time when someone has a serious, longer term injury. I will often advise injured workers to at least meet with someone to see if it helps. You shouldn’t feel alone or that there’s nothing you can do about feeling overwhelmed. Illinois workers comp law is on your side and can protect you and help you in a situation like this.

As always, if you have any questions or want a FREE, confidential consultation, please call us at 312-346-5578.