Worker's compensation covers injuries and illness that occur at work. These injuries fall into four basic categories. Traumatic physical injuries, repeated trauma injuries, mental injury and occupational disease. Although employers and insurers try limiting coverage for mental injuries, these injuries are covered in most states but remember state laws vary. Stress associated with work or an injury received at work can lead to mental disease, especially depression. If an employee is injured and becomes disabled for a period of time depression can set in. In other cases, one traumatic event may be enough to cause a mental stress problem. For example, if an employee saw a co-employee loss one of their limbs in a piece of machinery, that shock might cause the employee a great deal of stress about working on that piece of machinery again. Extraordinary stress in the work place resulting in mental injuries may be recoverable depending on the state. If possible speak with a human resources representative where you work to find out what type of stress claims are covered under worker's compensation in your state or consult with a experienced personal attorney in your area.

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