What Benefits Can You Get If You Have PTSD?
Corbin Sutter
Personal Injury
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that affects about 8 million adults in the US every year. If you recently developed PTSD, and are suffering because of this condition, you are eligible for either workers’ compensation or disability benefits.What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur among individuals who experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Traumatic events may include wars, a terrorist act, a natural disaster, a serious accident or serious injury, sexual assault, or rape. People with PTSD experience disturbing thoughts and feelings or they may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares long after the event occurred. This may lead to extreme sadness, anger, and detachment from families and friends. Indeed, this condition is extremely debilitating, and people with PTSD should get all the support they can from friends, families, and the government.
Difference Between Workers Comp And SSDI
Worker’s compensation benefits are reserved for individuals who were injured on the job. Worker’s comp is paid by your employer through their workers’ comp insurance. This payment should cover your medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages for the duration of your recovery from an injury or disability.
SSDI, on the other hand, is a disability benefit for everyone. You don’t have to have been injured at work to be eligible. However, you have to be able to prove that you can no longer do any work for your employer or any other type of work because of your disability. You should know that SSDI will not cover lost wages nor medical bills. Like workers’ comp, you can receive disability benefits while you recover, or if the disability is life-long, until you reach retirement age.
Does PTSD Qualify For Workers Comp Or SSDI?
PTSD is a disability or medical condition considered in both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, you need to consider the circumstances that led to your PTSD before applying for either benefit.
If you witnessed or experienced a traumatic event while at work, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation. However, proving this and getting approved may be challenging. In Florida, mental conditions not accompanied by physical injuries need to be proven with clear and convincing evidence, and benefits may be limited only to medical benefits. Unless you are a first responder, you may not get payment for loss wages. The good news is if you developed PTSD from work, you may apply for both workers’ comp and SSDI.
If, however, you developed PTSD outside of your work, you may be eligible for SSDI if you have unequivocal proof of your condition. You need to present documentation for the following:
• Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence
• Involuntary reliving of re-experiencing of the traumatic event (i.e., flashbacks, nightmares, etc.)
• Avoidance of external triggers
• Disturbance in mood and behavior
• Increased reaction (i.e., sleep disturbance, exaggerated startle response, etc.)
Why You Need A Lawyer
PTSD is a serious mental condition that is, unfortunately, a little difficult to prove when applying for workers’ compensation and SSDI. A social security lawyer can help you prepare all the necessary documentation to increase your chances of getting approved for workers’ comp, SSDI, or both. We can also help protect you from any potential retaliation from your employer so you can focus on recovery. Contact All Injuries Law Firm to learn more.
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