If you have one or more employees and your company operates in Ohio, you’re required to purchase OH Workers’ Compensation. That way, if your employees get hurt on the job, you have an insurance policy ready to cover their expenses. Your new employees always want to hear your full Workers’ Comp plan and understand what issues are covered. Here’s what you need to know about Workers’ Comp coverage and mental illness before your next hiring appointment.
Can You Receive Workers’ Comp for Anxiety or Stress?
Workers’ Comp plans cover costs associated with workplace injuries or damages, so most plans must cover mental illnesses that directly arise from the work environment. Even if your plan includes anxiety and stress, it’s hard for your employees to prove that they have workplace-induced mental illnesses. When they’re injured through another employee’s recklessness or a broken piece of equipment, the proof is easy to see. With mental illnesses, the situation is much more complicated.
Some states require employees to meet certain conditions that they spell out in their Workers’ Comp requirements, such as requiring medication or hospitalization. Others, such as Ohio, only include mental illness in Workers’ Comp programs if the mental illness is related to a physical injury. For example, if one of your employees loses a limb and has post-traumatic stress disorder because of the accident, his or her bills would probably be covered by Workers’ Comp.
Why Do Employees Apply for Stress-Related OH Workers’ Compensation?
Your employees could file for Workers’ Comp related to mental health complaints for a variety of reasons. If your work is inherently dangerous, they could develop anxiety or PTSD from regularly putting their lives in danger. These complaints are common among first responders and other people with hazardous careers.
On the other hand, if your workplace is known for its toxicity, your employees might develop mental health issues that are not related to their physical wellbeing. For example, if racial discrimination or sexual harassment is common, your targeted employees could develop depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Under Ohio law, these types of mental health issues are not covered with Workers’ Comp plans because no physical injuries are involved.
How Can You Support Your Employees?
You cannot control what’s covered in your state’s Workers’ Comp laws, but you can support your employees in other ways. Whenever you’re rethinking your health insurance plans, make sure that mental health services such as therapy and medication are covered. Additionally, if your employees tell you that they’re filing for OH Workers’ Comp to cover their mental health bills, be as understanding and supportive as possible.
Work with your employees to create a healthy environment that does not threaten anyone’s mental health, whether it’s through fear of injury or harassment.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
