Injury Type
Psychological & Stress Injury Workers' Comp Claims
Psychological injuries are real injuries under California workers' compensation. If your job caused a diagnosable mental-health condition — PTSD, severe anxiety, or depression — you may be entitled to treatment and benefits, just as you would for a physical injury.
The bar is higher than for a broken bone. California generally requires you to show that actual events of employment were the predominant cause (51%+) of the condition, and there are timing and good-faith-personnel-action rules. These claims are winnable, but they need careful proof.
Psychological injuries we handle
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a violent or traumatic event at work
- Severe anxiety and depression caused by job conditions
- Psychological injuries that accompany a serious physical injury
- Trauma from workplace violence, robbery, or witnessing a serious accident
- Stress conditions in high-exposure jobs (healthcare, first response, security)
What a psychological claim can recover
- Treatment with a psychologist or psychiatrist
- Temporary disability while you're unable to work
- Permanent disability for lasting psychological impairment
- Future mental-health care for the condition
How WCLG handles psychological claims
- Meet the predominant-cause standard with the right medical evaluation
- Navigate the six-month-employment and good-faith-personnel-action rules
- Protect your privacy throughout a sensitive claim
- Connect physical and psychological injuries into one cohesive case
Our practice area
Workplace Injuries
Hurt on the job? We help protect your medical treatment, wage benefits, and claim record.
See how we handle these claimsCommon Questions
Can I file a workers' comp claim for stress alone, with no physical injury?+
Sometimes. California allows purely psychological ('psych') claims, but they carry a higher proof standard — generally that work events were the predominant cause. A 'stand-alone stress' claim is harder than one tied to a physical injury, but not impossible.
Will my employer find out the details of my mental-health treatment?+
Your medical privacy is protected, and the claim process is designed to limit disclosure to what's relevant. We work to keep sensitive details contained while still proving your case.
Attorney Advertising.This page is general information about California workers' compensation, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every claim is different — talk to an attorney about your specific situation.
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