PTSD and Worker's Comp

Research has consistently shown that trauma causes physical changes to the human brain. (See the PTSD News archive for several examples.) But if you are traumatized by your job, can you claim worker's comp?

In Wyoming, the answer is no. That state's Supreme Court ruled in December that the biological changes to the brain are not the same as physical injuries and are therefore not eligible for worker's comp.

The case came up when a volunteer firefighter experienced PTSD after seeing two of his coworkers burned and killed during a fire. The court called these "mental injuries" and said the law did not offer compensation for these types of wounds.

Read more: Risk & Insurance Online - Biological roots of PTSD don't trigger comp for physical injuries

What do you think? Should firefighters, police personnel, rescue workers and others be eligible for worker's comp due to PTSD? How about victims of workplace bullying or sexual harassment? Should PTSD be considered a physical injury? Let us know your thoughts.

Eastwood's 'Gran Torino': A Portrait of PTSD

While it doesn't look like Clint Eastwood's new movie, "Gran Torino", actually spells out that his character has PTSD, veterans who saw the film at a recent screening said it was all too obvious.

As Dr. Phillip Leveque writes for Salem-News.com, "Clint shows survivor guilt, paranoia, total irascibility, hate of all enemies and even a death wish which are all symptoms of PTSD."

(Be careful reading the full article if you don't want the ending of the movie spoiled for you!)

Two veterans share their stories

"Army veteran speaks about struggle with PTSD, long road to recovery"

Afghanistan vet Rob Kislow got so low, he tried to commit suicide, only to have his gun jam at the last minute. He talked about his experiences with PTSD publicly for the first time last month.

"My battle with post traumatic stress"

Chanice Ward of the UK's Royal Medical Corps also tried to kill herself, twice, but "her bosses would not accept she was suffering from an illness and her complaints fell on deaf ears."