The California Division of Workers’ Compensation has specific requirements for what constitutes a workers’ comp claim related to mental health problems. The state requires medical evidence of “injury” to a worker’s mental health (for example, symptoms or a diagnosis of a mental health disorder verified by a psychologist), as well as evidence to support that the injury was caused by events that happened at work, which can be gathered through interviews, depositions, work records, or medical records.
As a psychologist and Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in Los Angeles and Orange County, Dr. Reger often assesses workers with mental health stress claims. This is not legal advice, but from a mental health perspective, here are a few warning signs that stress is becoming unmanageable. If you notice these symptoms after a stressful event or series of events at work, and you are having difficulty recovering, it might be appropriate for you to file a stress claim.
Physical Symptoms of Occupational Stress
Because our minds and bodies are connected, stress can have a major impact on physical health. It can affect every body system and can cause:
Headaches
Muscle tension
Gastrointestinal/stomach problems
Chest pain
Fatigue
Poor sleep
Emotional Stress Symptoms Related to Workplace Stress
Workplace stressors, such as a traumatic event at work, or sometimes lower severity, but chronic, stress can also cause emotional symptoms. For example:
Anxiety and worry
Irritability
Anger or a short fuse
Sadness
Hopelessness
Difficulty concentrating
Stress-Related Behavior and Performance Changes
When workers experience chronic stress at work, it can cause problems with work responsibilities, which may seem obvious, but it can also cause other unhealthy changes in behavior.
Impact on appetite
Increased use of alcohol or other substances
Lower productivity at work
More frequent errors in work
Difficulty meeting deadlines
Possible Relationship Impacts of Stress
It may seem obvious that chronic stress at work would impact professional relationships. In fact, conflict in an important work relationship, like with a supervisor, can sometimes be the reason an employee files a workers’ comp stress claim in the first place. But stress can impact relationships across a person’s life, potentially leading to:
Conflict or withdrawal from co-workers
Problems interacting with supervisors
Irritability or withdrawal from partner and other family members
Social isolation or withdrawal from friends
What You Can Do if You Are Experiencing Significant Workplace Stress
If you have experienced mental health symptoms related to something that occurred at work, you can:
Seek mental health support. Many workplaces have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a benefit, and you can get a few covered sessions of supportive psychotherapy through that program. You can also seek therapy through your insurance, or private pay.
Inform your supervisor (or if that person is not safe for you, their supervisor or HR). Often, a supervisor or HR staff at work can help you with the steps of filing an initial workers’ comp stress claim, if you decide to do that.
Decide whether you want to file a workers’ comp claim for psychological injury.
Consult with a workers’ compensation applicant attorney if you want legal advice.
Where a Psychological Qme Evaluation Comes Into a Stress Claim
If you have psychological symptoms that interfere with your life after a stressful workplace event (or series of events), and you decide to file a workers’ comp claim, it’s likely you will need to have a psychological evaluation with a psychologist, like Dr. Reger, who is available as a QME or AME (Agreed Medical Evaluator). This evaluation is designed to be neutral - not biased for or against either side of the claim - and based on medical evidence. It will involve:
An interview with a psychologist about yourself and what happened at work.
Psychological testing, either on a computer or on paper, to evaluate symptoms.
The psychologist’s review of medical records provided by the attorneys involved. These could be related to an incident that happened at work, a visit to occupational health where you reported stress or other symptoms related to work, or even your regular medical records prior to the workplace stress.
A report that will go to the attorneys (if there are attorneys for both the worker and the company) and the Workers’ Comp judge evaluating the case. The report will document the results of the evaluation and the psychologist will provide an opinion about any mental health diagnosis or injury, what factor or factors caused that injury, and any recommended treatments (like psychotherapy).
Start Your Claim for Workers Comp Stress in Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Reger can offer QME reports in Los Angeles, CA, and other services to support you at and beyond the workplace. As a therapist, I would be happy to support you from my LA-based practice. You can start receiving the support you deserve by following these steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with a Los Angeles Psychologist for your QME psychological evaluation
Get answers that you need to continue with your work comp claim
OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES, CA
There are multiple neuropsychological and psychological assessments that you can receive from Dr. Reger. Other assessments include cognitive and dementia testing, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. In addition to evaluations, she also provides individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and provides mental health consultations and presentations.