Not all work injuries are physical. Some of the most devastating harm occurs in the mind — and California workers’ compensation law recognizes that.
If you’ve experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or emotional trauma as a result of your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care, wage replacement, and permanent disability payments.
At Employees First Labor Law, we fight for injured workers whose mental health has been damaged by unsafe, violent, or toxic work environments. Whether your trauma stems from a single traumatic event or long-term exposure to stress or abuse, we’re here to help you recover — legally and emotionally.
🔹 What Is PTSD in the Workplace?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. In the workplace, common triggers include:
- Workplace violence or physical assault
- Serious or fatal accidents
- Repeated exposure to trauma (e.g., first responders, nurses, security personnel)
- Sexual assault or harassment
- Bullying, intimidation, or racial trauma
- Sudden, catastrophic incidents like explosions or machinery malfunctions
Symptoms of PTSD may include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Panic attacks or heightened anxiety
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Irritability, sleep disturbances, or depression
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations connected to the trauma
🔹 Can You Get Workers’ Comp for PTSD in California?
Yes — under California Labor Code § 3208.3, psychiatric injuries like PTSD may be covered if:
- You were employed for at least six months (unless the injury resulted from a sudden and extraordinary event)
- The injury was predominantly caused by work (51% or more)
- The diagnosis is made by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist
- The condition is not caused solely by a “good faith personnel action” (e.g., termination or demotion)
✅ First responders — including police, firefighters, and EMTs — receive special protections under Labor Code § 3212.15, which provides a presumption that PTSD is work-related.
🔹 What Benefits Are Available for PTSD?
If your PTSD claim is accepted under workers’ comp, you may receive:
🧠 Medical Treatment
- Psychotherapy or counseling
- Psychiatric medications
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment
💸 Temporary Disability Benefits
Wage replacement during your recovery if you’re unable to work.
📉 Permanent Disability Benefits
If PTSD causes lasting impairment or prevents you from returning to work.
🎓 Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
$6,000 retraining voucher if you can’t return to your prior job due to mental limitations.
🔹 Challenges in PTSD Claims
PTSD and psychological injury claims are often denied or minimized. Insurance companies may argue that:
- The trauma was unrelated to your job
- Your symptoms are exaggerated or personal in origin
- A “personnel action” like termination caused your stress
- You’re not credible due to lack of physical injury
These defenses can be defeated with strong legal strategy and medical support.
At EFLL, we help by:
- Referring you to unbiased psychiatric experts
- Gathering witness testimony and workplace documentation
- Demonstrating objective symptoms and patterns consistent with PTSD
- Identifying additional claims, like harassment, discrimination, or third-party liability
🔹 PTSD From Retaliation, Harassment, or Violence
Many PTSD claims arise in the context of workplace misconduct, such as:
- Racial trauma
- Sexual harassment or assault
- Retaliation after whistleblowing or reporting safety violations
- Hostile work environments
In those cases, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a civil lawsuit under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) or other labor protections. EFLL handles both tracks — to make sure you’re compensated fully.
🔹 Why Choose Employees First Labor Law?
At EFLL, we specialize in the toughest cases — including workers suffering from PTSD and psychological trauma. We don’t let insurers dismiss mental injuries or treat emotional harm as “less serious.”
We know how to:
- Prove work-related causes for PTSD
- Fight back against biased psychiatric opinions
- Secure maximum medical and disability benefits
- Pursue civil damages for emotional distress where applicable
Your trauma is real — and we make sure the system recognizes it.
✅ Get a Free, Confidential Case Review
If you’re suffering from PTSD or trauma due to work, we’re here to help. Contact Employees First Labor Law for a free consultation — we’ll listen, advise, and fight for your full recovery.
📞 Call Now
📩 Submit Your Case Here
You don’t have to go through this alone — and you don’t have to pay a dime unless we win for you.
