Physical injuries are often accompanied by emotional injuries in the form of mental health issues. The reason for this is obvious — the experience of becoming injured is often a traumatic event that could have been considered a near-death experience. In addition to the trauma of the initial incident, the pain that is suffered, the stress of medical treatment and operations, and the loss of physical and financial independence can turn a person’s life upside down.
If you have suffered from an event that you believe led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) you may be entitled to benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. This act gives employees the right to sue their employer for benefits. The following is an overview of the symptoms of PTSD as well as how you may be able to gain benefits.
What causes PTSD?
PTSD is often associated with those who have spent time in war zones. It’s true that military service members often suffer from PTSD from traumatic events that they witnessed. However, PTSD does not always stem from something unusual. It’s common for car accident victims to suffer from PTSD, as well as those who witness the death of a loved one.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
The most common symptom of PTSD is flashbacks of the event. You may feel that you are reliving the event at unexpected times in the day, causing you to feel the fear and panic all over again. You may also start to feel numb, avoidant, depressed or anxious. In your daily life, you may have trouble with concentration have constant fears, and be easily startled.
As an employee, you may be able to gain disability benefits through the ERISA act. To do this, you should take action to understand how the law applies to you. By taking early action, you’ll be able to gain the benefits that you deserve more quickly and put those funds toward treatment.