All Shook Up (stress claims)

Stress is being blamed for mental and physical ills that workers are pressing employers to cover financially. While critics say that mental stress rarely meets the criteria of an occupational injury, and employers can face bogus claims, others say increased stress is affecting the workplace.

This year the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a high school teacher was eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after suffering a heart attack and lawyers for the teacher’s family – – the teacher has since died – -– argued the attack was triggered by workplace stress. In another case, a paramedic sought workers’ compensation after doctors said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because of his job experiences. The Virginia Supreme Court determined that he was eligible for the benefits. These claims have broad implications for businesses be-cause in addition to soaring levels of anxiety after 9-11, workers are more sensitive because of job cuts, heavier workloads, the floundering economy and the threat of war – .