title: Work-related trauma, PTSD, and workers compensation legislation: Implications for practice and policy.
abstract: The current review examines work-related traumatic events, with particular focus on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a potential mental health outcome. Despite considerable empirical knowledge about trauma and PTSD, a gap exists with respect to laws undergirding Workers Compensation (WC) insurance coverage for work-related mental health injuries. In this article, state and federal WC statutes are examined with an eye toward coverage of PTSD following work-related trauma. Examples of differences between states, as well as state-specific idiosyncratic facets of WC laws, are discussed. Federal WC programs are also examined. Two policy issues are highlighted: (a) lack of parity between WC coverage for work-related physical versus mental health injuries and (b) lack of reliance on psychological science in scripting legislation and determining WC benefits. The cost of untreated PTSD following work-related trauma is examined, focusing on costs to the individual, the employer, and society at large. The authors provide 3 recommendations designed to address discrepancies related to compensable psychological injuries following work-related trauma exposure.
authors: Mental Health Resources.
authors: Edward A
authors: EA
authors: Wise
authors: University of Memphis.
authors: J Gayle
authors: JG
authors: Beck
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*