Depression Claims

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As a result of work related accidents that have a negative or traumatic effect on an individuals life, psychological injuries, clinical depression and even suicides are not uncommon. It has been estimated that up to 25% of people who experience a traumatic event will end up suffering from a psychological illness of one form or another. These psychological injuries can result from almost any physical injury, but are more likely to occur if the injury is serious. Injuries that are physically disfiguring, or those which stop you from carrying out day-to-day tasks are most likely to result in long-term psychological trauma.

Typical Causes Of Work Related Depression

Psychological injuries and work related depression can also result from factors in the workplace other than physical injury. Psychological injuries can be caused or made worse by the pressure of excessive workloads, time pressures, unreasonable expectations among management, bullying and any other type of exposure to traumatic circumstances in the workplace, such as an assault. Claims for work related depression have risen sharply since the 1990's, as pressures in the workplace have increased. An HSE Labour Force Survey in 2007/8 found that 415,000 British workers believed that work related stress was currently making them ill. Though stress alone does not create liability for an employer, it should alert them to the possibility that a psychological injury such as clinical depression may develop in the future from current working conditions.

Symptoms Of Work Related Depression

Many people who find themselves unable to work for some period of time as a result of an accident at work will find themselves suffering from some level of psychological injury or work related depression as a result. Individuals may not immediately recognise the symptoms of a psychological injury, and may fail to identify it as such for a long time. Certain early symptoms of a psychological injury such as nightmares, irritability, loss of concentration and sleep disturbance can quite easily be ascribed to other factors. In the longer term psychological trauma may result in post traumatic stress, and can also cause clinical depression, agoraphobia, general anxiety, loss of memory functions, cognitive disorders, decreased spatial awareness, amnesia, dissociation and psychosis. There is also a direct correlation between psychological injury and drugs and alcohol dependence, which in turn can lead to a host of ancillary social and personal problems.

Who Is Affected By Work Related Depression?

Surveys have found that professions most at risk from psychological injury and work related depression include social services workers, teachers, firemen, police & prison officers, ambulance workers, nurses, armed forces, vets, lecturers, clerical staff, private sector managers and research academics. In reality psychological injuries and depression can effect any profession or industry depending on individual circumstances. The majority of people with work related psychological injuries or depression are treated successfully with medication by their GP and are capable of returning to work with no long-term repercussions. This does not however affect their right to bring a depression claim for compensation against their employer.

Employers Must Take Steps To Prevent Illnesses At Work

Employers have a responsibility to assess and protect both the physical and mental health and safety of their employees in the workplace. Your employer's duties are governed by a number of workplace regulations and in particular:

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992

Depression Claims And Compensation Awards

As part of this legislation employers are required protect the mental welfare of their employees and minimise the possibility of employees suffering a psychological injury. If these responsibilities have not been fulfilled, the employer may be found negligent before a court, and be ordered to pay often substantial damages reflecting a variety of factors such as the severity of the psychological condition, the cost of medical care, loss of earnings, pain and suffering.

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