JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

You were injured in a work-place accident. The injuries were quite serious, but you’ve recovered and your doctor has cleared you to work. But, you just can’t make yourself go through the door. Could you have PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) is a emotional disorder that can occur after any type of life-threatening traumatic event. Most people associate PTSD with soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, but PTSD can be triggered by a car accident, a physical assault, a natural disaster, or a workplace injury.

Potential Causes of PTSD

• A life threatening event (building collapse)
• An event that caused traumatic injury (a work-related car accident)
• Any event that had the potential to cause serious injury (machine malfunction)
• Any situation that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror (witnessing a violent crime in the workplace)

Do you have PTSD?

It is normal to feel nervous about returning to the scene of a traumatic injury. It is even normal to have an occasional nightmare in the weeks after the accident. But, it is not normal to have these feelings continue month after month, or for fears and flashbacks to interfere with your daily life. Suspect PTSD if your symptoms last for more than one month after your workplace injury.

Symptoms of Workplace PTSD

• The worker relives the trauma through flashbacks, recurring dreams, or nightmares.
• The worker relives the feelings that he experienced during the accident or acts as if the accident is still happening.
• Any form of anxiety or stress brings on memories of the accident.
• The worker obsesses about the accident.
• The worker avoids situations, people and places that are associated with the accident.
• The worker may dread going back to work.
• The worker has a feeling of impending doom, especially when thinking about work.
• The worker is unable to remember the accident.
• The worker loses interest in favorite activities or withdraws from family and friends.
• The worker feels numb and finds it difficult to experience emotions.
• The worker is hyper vigilant and always on guard.
• The worker is irritable or suffers from emotional outbursts.
• The worker finds it difficult to concentrate.
• The worker has trouble sleeping.

Going Back to Work With PTSD

A worker with PTSD may have physically recovered, but his brain is still healing from the accident. It is important that he seeks medical help. PTSD is treatable. Treatment of work-related PTSD is covered by workers’ compensation, but you must let a doctor know about your symptoms. If you don’t get a doctor’s diagnosis, you may be forced to go back to work before you are mentally ready.

Learn more about workers’ compensation in Your Guide to PA Workers’ Compensation. Request your free copy by clicking the link in the sidebar.