Mental Health

Mental health injuries in the workplace can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, yet they often go unrecognized or untreated. In Minnesota, workers’ compensation laws provide benefits for employees suffering from work-related psychological injuries. However, proving eligibility for mental health claims can be complex.

This article will explore the different types of work-related mental health injuries, the benefits available to affected employees, and the unique protections for first responders who experience job-related psychological trauma.

Types of Work-Related Mental Health Injuries

Work-related mental health injuries are classified into several categories under Minnesota workers’ compensation law:

1. Mental-Mental Injuries (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD)

Mental-mental injuries occur when an employee suffers a psychological injury due to a work-related mental or emotional stressor, without an accompanying physical injury.

One of the most commonly recognized mental-mental injuries is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can develop due to exposure to traumatic events in the workplace.
Examples include first responders witnessing distressing scenes, healthcare workers dealing with patient deaths, or employees experiencing workplace violence.
PTSD and other mental-mental injuries can lead to anxiety, depression, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and an inability to work.
While mental-mental injuries have historically been difficult to claim, Minnesota law has provided expanded protections, particularly for first responders.

2. Physical-Mental Injuries

A physical-mental injury occurs when an employee experiences a psychological condition as a direct result of a physical workplace injury.

Example: A worker suffers a severe back injury and, due to chronic pain and disability, develops depression or anxiety.
Physical-mental injuries are often easier to establish under workers’ compensation because they stem from a documented physical trauma.
Treatment for physical-mental injuries may include therapy, medication, and other mental health services.

3. Mental-Physical Injuries

Mental-physical injuries occur when a workplace stressor or mental distress leads to a physical ailment.

Example: A worker experiences extreme stress at work, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, ulcers, or other stress-related medical conditions.
Mental-physical claims are more difficult to prove, as insurers may argue that the condition has other contributing factors unrelated to work.

4. Consequential Psychological Injuries

These injuries develop as a secondary result of a primary work injury.

Example: An employee who is permanently disabled due to a work-related injury may later develop depression due to their inability to function as they did before they were injured.
Consequential psychological injuries are generally compensable under Minnesota workers’ compensation laws if they are directly tied to an initial physical injury.

Suicide and Workers’ Compensation Death & Dependency Benefits

Work-related psychological injuries can tragically lead to suicide. Under Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Act, a worker’s suicide may be considered compensable if it is proven that the mental health injury arose from employment and that the suicide was a direct consequence of the work-related condition.

If suicide is deemed compensable, the worker’s surviving dependents may be eligible for death and dependency benefits, which may include:

Compensation for lost wages.
Funeral and burial expenses.
Continued benefits for spouses and dependents.

Due to the complexity and sensitivity of these cases, it is crucial for families to seek legal guidance when pursuing workers’ compensation claims for a work-related suicide.

Special Benefits for First Responders with Mental Health Injuries

First responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), face unique risks in their line of work. Given their high exposure to traumatic incidents, Minnesota has implemented specific protections for first responders suffering from mental health injuries.

1. PTSD Presumption for First Responders

Under Minnesota law, first responders diagnosed with PTSD are presumed to have a work-related injury unless the employer or insurer proves otherwise. This means first responders do not have to demonstrate that their PTSD was caused by a specific workplace incident—making it significantly easier to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

To qualify:

the first responder must be employed on active duty in a qualifying profession;
the first responder must be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
the diagnosis of PTSD must be made by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist; and
the diagnosis of PTSD must be made in accordance with the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (currently, the DSM-5-TR).

2. PERA / MSRS Treatment Benefits

First responders who suffer from mental health conditions (including, but not limited to, PTSD) may be eligible for treatment benefits under the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) or Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).

Provides 24 to 32 weeks of mental health care to help first responders recover.
Covers counseling, therapy, and other necessary mental health treatments.
Ensures wage continuation during treatment.
Includes health insurance benefits to help cover ongoing medical expenses.
Includes ongoing employer contributions to the first responder’s PERA/MSRS account.

3. PERA / MSRS Disability Benefits

If a mental health injury permanently prevents a first responder from returning to duty, they may qualify for PERA or MSRS disability benefits, which provide long-term financial support.

Eligibility for these benefits depends on the severity of the mental health condition and the ability to perform job duties.
Disability benefits can include occupational disability or permanent and total disability compensation, depending on the extent of impairment.

4. Healthcare Continuation

First responders diagnosed with a compensable work-related mental health injury may be entitled to continued healthcare coverage, ensuring they have access to medical treatment even after leaving their job due to their condition.

5. Department of Public Safety Benefits

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides additional benefits for first responders who die from work-related suicide. In certain circumstances, a public safety officer’s suicide is presumed to be work-related and compensable.

Work-related mental health injuries are serious conditions that can have long-lasting effects on employees and their families. In Minnesota, workers’ compensation laws provide support for employees suffering from PTSD, depression, and other work-induced psychological conditions.

If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related mental health injury, it is important to seek experienced legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation and benefits you deserve. A knowledgeable Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can help navigate the claims process, fight against claim denials, and secure the financial support needed for recovery.

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Learn About Other Common Injuries

Read Related Articles

Work-Related Mental Health Injuries in Minnesota

Types of Work-Related Mental Health Injuries

1. Mental-Mental Injuries (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD)

2. Physical-Mental Injuries

3. Mental-Physical Injuries

4. Consequential Psychological Injuries

Suicide and Workers’ Compensation Death & Dependency Benefits

Special Benefits for First Responders with Mental Health Injuries

1. PTSD Presumption for First Responders

2. PERA / MSRS Treatment Benefits

3. PERA / MSRS Disability Benefits

4. Healthcare Continuation

5. Department of Public Safety Benefits

Conclusion

Request a Free Case Evaluation

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Request a free Case Evaluation

Mental Health

Learn About Other Common Injuries

Read Related Articles

Work-Related Mental Health Injuries in Minnesota

Types of Work-Related Mental Health Injuries

1. Mental-Mental Injuries (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD)

2. Physical-Mental Injuries

3. Mental-Physical Injuries

4. Consequential Psychological Injuries

Suicide and Workers’ Compensation Death & Dependency Benefits

Special Benefits for First Responders with Mental Health Injuries

1. PTSD Presumption for First Responders

2. PERA / MSRS Treatment Benefits

3. PERA / MSRS Disability Benefits

4. Healthcare Continuation

5. Department of Public Safety Benefits

Conclusion

Request a Free Case Evaluation

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