One of the most overlooked contributors to on-the-job harm is chronic work-related stress. While stress may seem like an emotional or psychological issue, it can directly lead to physical injuries and health conditions that qualify affected employees for workers’ compensation in many cases.
Stress at work can manifest in a variety of ways, including long hours, unrealistic expectations, understaffing, lack of support or a toxic work environment. Over time, these pressures can wear down a worker’s mental and physical resilience. As stress builds, concentration suffers, reaction time decreases and decision-making often becomes impaired. This creates the perfect conditions for accidents to happen—especially in physically demanding or high-risk occupations.
For example, a worker who is mentally drained from long shifts and high demands may forget a crucial safety step, misjudge the weight of an object or fail to notice a hazard on the floor. These kinds of lapses are not simply “mistakes”; they can be directly linked to workplace stress and fatigue. In more severe cases, stress can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure or gastrointestinal issues that worsen over time and may require medical intervention.
Additional forms of stress-related fallout
Stress can also worsen existing injuries or delay healing. Someone recovering from a back injury, for instance, may find that stress-induced muscle tension intensifies their pain or makes them more vulnerable to re-injury. For employees dealing with repetitive stress injuries—like carpal tunnel syndrome—stress can cause them to overcompensate physically or push through pain, further damaging the affected area.
In addition, stress can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which may affect a worker’s ability to function safely and effectively. In many states, including those with more progressive workers’ compensation laws, mental health conditions caused by work may be compensable, especially when they are clearly linked to a specific work-related event or a toxic work environment.
Stress is not just a feeling—it’s a workplace hazard. If your job has caused or contributed to a serious injury or illness, you may have the right to compensation. Workers’ compensation claims involving stress-related injuries can be complex, and proving the connection between stress and physical harm isn’t always easy. Thankfully, seeking personalized legal guidance is always an option.