Columbia Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you have suffered workplace-related depression, anxiety, or stress, contact the workers’ compensation lawyers of Goings Law Firm, LLC at (803) 350-9230 today. When you think of workplace injury, chances are you think of accidents involving large machines, or jobs that involve heavy lifting. But workplace injury is not limited to physical harm. The State of South Carolina recognizes that, in some cases, depression, anxiety, and stress are caused or exacerbated by the work environment. Without a doubt, these mental illnesses threaten job performance and company productivity; however, they can have much more serious and long-lasting impacts on employees.

Though South Carolina recognizes that depression, anxiety, and undue stress can result from the workplace environment, claims for compensation are sometimes challenging to file successfully. So, it is imperative to hire an attorney experienced in workers’ compensation so you can get the compensation you deserve. The Columbia work-related mental illness lawyers from Goings Law Firm, LLC are prepared to get you the maximum compensation possible. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today at (803) 350-9230.

Why Do I Need A Lawyer?

Workers compensation claims for anxiety, depression, or stress are notoriously challenging for several reasons. Psychiatric distress does not generally leave a physical mark, making proof of this “mental injury” very difficult to find. Without proof, employers are not likely to approve the compensation claim. Exacerbation of these conditions is even harder to prove because they were pre-existing, and employers will be less likely to make payouts. Furthermore, the laws surrounding workers’ compensation cases of mental illness-related injury are intricate. There are several types of work-related mental injuries under which your claim can be filed. For each of these types, a lot of paperwork is required to make a strong argument for your compensation. Documentation of the work environment, the condition suffered, and any treatments undergone will be necessary to file a successful claim.

The best way to get the maximum compensation possible is to hire an attorney to manage your case. Experienced attorneys are well-versed in the laws surrounding workers’ compensation for mental illness, and will guide the process of collecting evidence, filing a claim, and ensuring you get the money you deserve. Furthermore, having an attorney to work for you means you won’t be working alone. An attorney will work on your compensation while you focus on your mental health. They will handle complicated questions about liability, payouts, and compensability.

Why Goings Law Firm, LLC?

At Goings Law Firm, LLC, we believe that workers deserve a safe work environment that is conducive to mental health. That is why we will fight to get you the money you deserve for the mental injury you have suffered. Each attorney on our team understands the difficulty you are facing at this moment. And while we are aggressive in our fight to get you the money you deserve, we guide our clients through the often complex legal process with compassion. Each of our attorneys is detail-oriented and works with extreme focus and diligence. Our goal is to demystify the legality of workers’ compensation and guide you step by step through the process in order to win the maximum amount of compensation possible. We are happy to answer any and all of our clients’ questions about their cases. Our team is award-winning, and we have a reputation for consistently getting clients ample compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning potential. With our help, you can return to financial stability, and a better state of mental health.

Cases We Handle

Mental injuries that may arise from the work environment include, but are not limited to the following: anxiety, depression, stress from abuse or harassment, and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). However, a key condition of mental injury related to the workplace is that the condition must arise out of extraordinary circumstances. These extraordinary circumstances must be outside of, or not included in the “job description.” For example, if a police officer shoots a suspect in the line of duty, then experiences PTSD, their claim may not be accepted because –even though using deadly force is not part of a “typical” job – discharging a gun is “included” in their job description. The following are other situations not likely to be accepted as the cause of mental distress:

• Transfers
• Promotions
• Demotions
• Firing
• Reviews of performance
• Reviews of salary

The nuances of workers compensation laws mean it is absolutely necessary to hire an attorney. Without an experienced lawyer, it will be all too easy for your claim to be rejected and for you to not get the money you deserve.

There are three types of mental injury under which your claim might fall:

• Physical-Mental Injuries: When you get physically injured on the job, and this injury leads to a mental illness, you can file for workers’ compensation. The key part of this type of mental injury is its clear connection to an “unusual” event in the workplace. For example, if, in lifting something heavy, you sustain a serious back injury which leads to clinical depression, you can receive compensation.
• Mental-Physical Injures: This type of mental injury is the reverse of the above case. In this case, a mental
  illness, caused by the workplace environment, leads to a physical injury. For example, conditions like depression can lead to other life-threatening conditions, like obesity.
• Mental-Mental Injuries: The final type of mental injury is what’s called “mental-mental” injuries. These injuries are not related to any physical injury. When an event occurs at work and causes a worker to develop a mental illness, the victim can file for financial compensation.

As you can see, workers’ compensation laws are nuanced, particularly as they relate to mental illness. The only way to tackle your compensation claim is with the help of an experienced attorney. Take action today and contact Goings Law Firm, LLC.

Contact Us

Mental illness can be as disruptive to your life as a physical injury, so when you become mentally ill as a result of work-related activities or events, you have the right to file for workers’ compensation. The workers’ compensation team from Goings Law Firm, LLC is ready to help you get all the money you need and deserve when you call us today at (803) 350-9230.