Work injury claims are usually based on a physical injury, but many also involve mental harms like PTSD. Whether you faced an injury that led to PTSD or you suffered PTSD directly as part of your job, you may be entitled to benefits.
PTSD can be the injury at the heart of your Workers’ Comp claim, whether you suffered PTSD as a result of a physical injury or you suffered a mental-only injury. These injuries need to be work-related and disabling to get benefits. Additionally, some PTSD effects that are mental only with no physical injury/symptoms might be harder to prove.
For help, call Cardamone Law’s Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at (267) 651-7945 today.
Is PTSD Covered Under Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ Compensation is designed to cover benefits for injured workers with a range of work-related injuries. This includes nearly all physical injuries, plus many physical illnesses and mental/emotional effects.
PTSD from work should be covered, but there are requirements.
Requirements for Covering PTSD
These each must be met before Workers’ Comp can cover your PTSD:
Work-Related
For any benefits to issue for PTSD, it has to be work-related. This means that it stemmed from work tasks or conditions. Most cases involving PTSD from work will stem from a physical injury you sustained in an accident that later caused you PTSD, but this is not required.
Disabling
You can only get wage-loss benefits for an injury – physical or mental – that leaves you unable to return to work at full capacity. If you face lost earning power because of your PTSD, then these benefits can be paid alongside medical benefits.
Medical Evidence
You typically need an actual PTSD diagnosis, with evidence and records from your psychiatrist.
Abnormal Working Conditions (for Mental/Mental Injuries)
If your injury does not involve physical injuries or a physical manifestation of the injury, you need to prove the PTSD happened from abnormal conditions at work. This might include something like witnessing a fatal accident.
First responders no longer need to prove abnormal conditions as of October 29, 2025 due to new legislation.
Do You Need a Physical Injury for PTSD Claims?
For mental harms and conditions like PTSD to be part of a Workers’ Comp claim, they usually need a physical element. Without that, you can still claim benefits, but you need additional proof in some cases.
Physical/Mental Injuries
If you started with a physical injury from a work accident then developed PTSD from that injury experience, it should be covered. As long as the injury was what caused your initial disability, the mental effects are part of that physical disability and can be the basis of your Work Comp claim.
Mental/Physical Injuries
Sometimes your work conditions might involve a traumatic experience that does not injure you, but still causes PTSD. If that PTSD then results in physical symptoms like a heart attack, stress ulcers, or other symptoms that keep you from work, this is also considered a physical injury.
Mental/Mental Injuries
If you suffered PTSD from a work accident but have no physical symptoms whatsoever, then your case might require additional proof. Generally, this needs evidence that you underwent some kind of exceptional, abnormal experience at work, such as witnessing a coworker die.
There are special rules for first responders.
New First Responder Legislation Under SB 365 of 2023/2024 Session
Starting on October 29, 2025, there are special rules for first responders seeking PTSD benefits under Workers’ Comp:
Removal of Abnormal Condition Requirement
Most industries require an abnormal working condition to get benefits for PTSD when there is no physical injury or manifestation related to the PTSD. For a factory worker or a teacher, something like a death at work would be abnormal, but first responders witness terrible things all the time.
As such, this law removes the abnormal working condition requirement for first responders.
It also clarifies that PTSD is not covered if it stems from the stress of facing disciplinary actions or negative employment actions.
104-Week Limit
Benefits for PTSD for first responders cannot go on for more than 104 weeks (around 3 1/2 months).
Time Limit
Usually, claims need to be filed within 3 years of the injury. First responders must file within 3 years of a PTSD diagnosis, and the law only looks back up to 5 years for PTSD injuries that happened before this law took effect.
How to File a Claim
To get your claim filed, take care of the following:
Gather Evidence
You typically need psychiatric evaluations to show your PTSD diagnosis, as well as medical records and doctors’ reports of any other injuries related to your claim. You also need evidence to show your PTSD and related injuries came from work-related tasks or conditions.
Report Your Injury
Injuries typically must be reported to your employer within 21 days, but injuries reported after 120 days are ineligible for benefits.
Call a Lawyer
You should always work with a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation lawyer. Our attorneys can help you file a Claim Petition after your employer denies your claim.
File a Claim Petition
Injury victims have 3 years from their injury to file a petition with the government to seek benefits on a claim their employer denied.
FAQs for Workers’ Comp Claims Covering PTSD
Do You Need a Physical Injury?
PTSD usually stems from a physical accident you were involved in. However, this is not necessary. If your PTSD manifested physical symptoms, you also do not need additional proof of abnormal working conditions, like you would for a mental-only injury.
Do I Need to Show Abnormal Working Conditions for a PTSD Claim?
PTSD claims from a physical injury or PTSD manifesting physical symptoms do not need abnormal working conditions. That additional proof is only required if you have a mental only case of PTSD and you are not a first responder.
What Benefits Can I Receive?
Most claims involve medical benefits and wage-loss benefits. Specific loss benefits may also be available if your PTSD stemmed from an injury that involves amputation, permanent lost function, significant facial scars, lost hearing, or lost vision.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
You should never trust the insurance carrier or your employer to handle your case without having a lawyer on your side. Plus, you may not be able to afford required doctor’s appointments and deposition costs, halting your case if you do not work with a lawyer. Many judges will also refuse to sign off on settlements unless you have consulted with a lawyer first.
Call Our Workers’ Comp Lawyers in Pennsylvania Today
Call (267) 651-7945 for a free case review with Cardamone Law’s Lehigh Valley, PA Workers’ Comp attorneys.
