Can I sue my employer for giving me PTSD?

Asked by: Dr. Kayden Altenwerth  |  Last update: May 28, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (60 votes)

If you become involved in or witness a horrifying accident at work due to your employer's negligence and you develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you can bring a PTSD compensation claim against your employer.

Can you sue your employer for psychological abuse?

Yes, you can file an emotional distress lawsuit. If a supervisor caused emotional distress or a co-worker recklessly or intentionally inflicted emotional distress, you may have a case. Some workplaces are more stressful than others.

How to prove workplace PTSD?

However, there are specific criteria that must be met for a PTSD claim to be valid:
  1. The Traumatic Event. The event that led to the PTSD must be work-related. ...
  2. Direct Cause. ...
  3. Medical Evidence. ...
  4. Follow Proper Reporting Procedures. ...
  5. Seek Professional Help. ...
  6. Document the Incidents. ...
  7. Review Workplace Policies. ...
  8. Obtain Witness Statements.

Can I sue my employer for PTSD?

A California employer can be sued for harmful conduct for any job related stress they caused that may have caused emotional distress or emotional injuries in employees.

How much is a PTSD lawsuit worth?

The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000. Factors that influence the amount include injury severity, loss of income, how fault is determined, and the impact of injuries on everyday life.

What is Involved in Suing for Emotional Distress

42 related questions found

Is PTSD hard to claim?

In conclusion, winning a claim for PTSD can be complicated with many challenging legal issues. It is also worth pointing out that according to the VA's own Board of Veterans' Appeals, veterans who are unrepresented are more than twice as likely to get denied than those who have an advocate.

How to prove PTSD in court?

A PTSD diagnosis requires the following: a traumatic event, flashbacks, avoidance, arousal and reactivity symptoms, and cognition and mood symptoms. 5Id. at 393. The evidence in a case involving claims of PTSD must demonstrate that the victim experienced an event that threatened death or serious injury.

Can I lose my job if I have PTSD?

Ultimately, it is for the employee to notify you, the employer, of their problem. Some may be signed off from work long term, while others will want to keep working and retain a sense of 'normality'.

What are the 7 symptoms of PTSD?

Arousal and reactivity symptoms
  • Being easily startled.
  • Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge.
  • Having difficulty concentrating.
  • Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
  • Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts.
  • Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior.

Can I sue my employer for a toxic work environment?

Employees who experience a hostile work environment in California have options for seeking redress. They can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or file a lawsuit in court.

How do you show proof of PTSD?

Evidence of an In-Service Stressor

Documentation or credible evidence that a traumatic event occurred during service, capable of causing PTSD. For combat veterans, personal statements may suffice. Non-combat veterans need corroborative evidence such as buddy statements or service records.

Can PTSD disqualify you from a job?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those with PTSD. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees to perform their job duties effectively.

Can I lose my job due to mental illness?

Under federal law, workers with mental health conditions may be protected against discrimination and harassment at work related to their condition, have workplace confidentiality rights, and have a legal right to reasonable accommodations that can help them perform and keep their job.

When can an employer sue an employee?

If an employee breaches a contract or fails to fulfill legal obligations, the employer usually has grounds to bring a lawsuit. An example is when an employee shares confidential trade secrets in violation of an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), causing financial damage to the company.

How hard is it to prove emotional distress?

Proving a claim for emotional distress can be intricate due to the subjective nature of emotional experiences and the lack of tangible evidence. However, several key considerations increase the likelihood of a successful claim: Severity.

What is considered a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment is one where the words and actions of a supervisor, manager or coworker negatively or severely impacts another employee's ability to complete their work. Any employee can be responsible for creating a hostile work environment.

What are the 5 stages of PTSD?

What are the five stages of PTSD?
  • Impact or Emergency Stage. ...
  • Denial/ Numbing Stage. ...
  • Rescue Stage (including Intrusive or Repetitive stage) ...
  • Short-term Recovery or Intermediate Stage. ...
  • Long-term reconstruction or recovery stage.

What is the best medication for PTSD?

The 3 recommended medications for PTSD are paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine. If you decide to try a medication, you will work with your provider to check on your response, side effects, and to change your dose, if needed.

How does a person with PTSD behave?

People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people.

What is the average payout for PTSD?

Average PTSD Settlement Expectations

Most cases, however, fall between $50,000 and $100,000, reflecting the significant impact PTSD has on individuals' lives and the long-term care many require.

What is the most PTSD prone job?

  • Police Officers.
  • Firefighters.
  • First Responders/Ambulance Personnel.
  • Other Healthcare Professionals.
  • Photojournalists.
  • War Correspondents.
  • PTSD and Substance Abuse.
  • References:

How to terminate an employee with mental health issues?

Terminating Employees With Mental Health Conditions

Companies do not have have legal grounds to terminate employees or deny them promotions because of mental health conditions. Also, companies cannot make an employee take leave because of a mental health condition.

Can you sue for workplace PTSD?

In California, individuals who develop PTSD due to the actions or negligence of another party can file a claim to seek compensation for their damages.

Can I get compensation for PTSD?

Can I claim compensation for PTSD? You might be able to do so, yes. To be able to make a PTSD claim, you need to be suffering PTSD due to someone else's negligence. You must also show that you have incurred financial loss as a direct result of this.

What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD?

What Are the 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD?
  • Flashbacks.
  • Memory lapses.
  • Distorted sense of self.
  • Inability to control your emotions.
  • Hyperarousal.
  • Unexplained upset stomach.
  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Challenged interpersonal relationships.