Signs That You Have Work-Related Stress (And Can Get Workers Comp Benefits For It)

We all have experienced stress multiple times in our lives. Even the toughest of us have. Some have to cope with stress only a few times throughout their lives, while others have to deal with it on a daily basis. Work as well as commuting may be the most common stressors in Los Angeles and all across California.

Luckily for you, you can get compensation for your work-related stress, and our Los Angeles stress-related injury attorney is going to explain how.

What is work-related stress?

Stress-related injuries have become a growing problem in California and all across the United States. Not only does work-related stress – or any other type of stress, for that matter – negatively affect health and well-being, but also your productivity at work and earning capacity.

Generally, in order for your stress-related injuries to qualify as “work-related stress” and entitle you to workers compensation benefits, you have to prove that the stress was caused by unbearable work demands, stressful work environment, or a combination of factors that exceed your capacity and capability to cope.

Experts estimate that work-related stress may be the most common reason why workers sustain both physical and psychological trauma in the workplace. Causes of work-related stress vary from one case to another, but the most common are long hours, heavy workload, tight deadlines, and over-supervision.

Signs of work-related stress

But do you really have work-related stress? This is the question we asked our Los Angeles stress-related injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach. Symptoms of workplace-related stress fall into three main categories: physical, psychological, and behavioral.

Physical symptoms of work-related stress:

• Fatigue and exhaustion;
• Lack of energy;
• Frequent headaches;
• Tense muscles, aches, and pain;
• Upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation;
• Chest pain;
• Rapid heartbeat or frequent changes in heartbeat;
• Insomnia and sleeping difficulties;
• Dermatological disorders;
• Frequent colds and infections.

Psychological signs of workplace stress:

1. Anxiety;
2. Depression;
3. Irritability;
4. Pessimism and lack of interest in life;
5. Discouragement;
6. Suicidal thoughts;
7. Feeling of being overwhelmed;
8. Panic attacks;
9. Difficulties to focus or concentrate;
10. Poor decision-making.

Behavioral symptoms of work-related stress:

• Aggression;
• Diminished productivity and creativity;
• A noticeable drop in work performance;
• Difficulty to communicate with co-workers, supervisors, or employer;
• Increase in sick days;
• Mood swings;
• Frustration and impatience;
• Inability to meet deadlines;
• Disinterest in work;
• Loss of sexual desire;
• Lower tolerance;
• Isolation.

You may be entitled to workers comp benefits for work-related stress

It is important to note that while some workplace stressors may cause work-related stress in some employees, others may be unaffected by the same stressors. For example, if one employee feels that long hours or heavy workload is greater than he/she can cope with, he or she may get stressed out. His or her co-worker, meanwhile, in the same circumstances may not be stressed out. It largely depends on the person as well as the source of work-related stress. Nonetheless, if you can prove that your stress – and all the injuries, losses and damages stemming from it – was caused by your job or workplace environment, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits.

Causes of stress-related injuries at work

Sources of workplace-related stress – or the so-called stressors – may vary from one case to another. However, our Los Angeles stress-related injury attorney have outlined the most common stressors that persist in workplaces in California:

• Long hours;
• Unmanageable demands;
• Heavy workload;
• The pressure in the workplace;
• Sudden, frequent, or major changes within the workplace;
• Tight deadlines;
• Changes to duties;
• Job insecurity;
• Boring work;
• Insufficient skills for the job duties;
• Over-supervision;
• Lack of support;
• Lack of equipment;
• Lack of promotional opportunities;
• Harassment (sexual, race, religion, age, and others);
• Discrimination (gender, age, racial, religious, and others);
• Conflicts with co-workers or bosses;
• Painful experience at work (workplace death, robbery, on-the-job injury);
• Poor organization culture;
• Poor management practices.

This is a non-exhaustive list of stressors that may cause work-related stress. If you believe that you have stress-related injuries are stemming from your job duties or workplace environment, seek legal advice from a workers compensation lawyer.

Contact the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach to get a free consultation today. Call our Los Angeles offices at 818-609-7005 or complete this contact form.