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Workplace injury can cause psychological damage in California

On Behalf of | Apr 15, 2021 | Firm News

The human mind is deeply connected to the body. This means a physical workplace injury in California can sometimes affect a person’s psychological health. In some cases, the mental effect of a workplace injury can become just as detrimental as the physical injury.

One of the most common mental issues that occurs following a workplace injury is depression. Unfortunately, like many psychological issues, depression is often ignored by medical professionals when assessing workplace injuries. This can be detrimental to many workers who have been injured on the job.

Approximately 45 percent of workers injured in the workplace are more likely to need treatment for depression, according to a study released by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, which was performed in 2005, examined almost 368,000 workers. In order to be counted as experiencing depression in the study, a subject was required to have been diagnosed with depression within three months following a workplace injury.

Many mental health experts cite lack of acceptance and acknowledgment of issues such as depression, which can result in a worker not receiving treatment for psychological issues. Two core reasons for this are social acceptance and cost. The study revealed that injured workers paid 63 percent more for outpatient treatment for depression.

Depression, when not treated, can result in serious consequences. Part of the mental strain a person feels after a workplace injury may stem from financial challenges resulting from not being able to earn money while injured. Luckily, injured workers may be able to obtain some financial relief by filing a workers’ compensation insurance claim in California. Sometimes, financial stability can provide some psychological relief while a worker is recovering from an injury.

Source: lajollalight.com, “Work-Related Injuries Cause More Than Physical Harm“, Stephen M. Pfeiffer, Jan. 28, 2015