Can You Get Workers’ Comp Benefits for Sleep Problems?

In California, covered employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for illness or injury caused by work-related duties. Workers’ comp coverage is available for physical injuries, illnesses, and even mental illnesses caused by work. Are sleep disorders covered? Are there sleep disorders that can be connected to the office or the performance of job duties?

Read on to learn about how California’s workers’ compensation law addresses sleep problems. If you have a work-related mental health concern, or if you’ve otherwise suffered an injury or illness in the workplace, call our seasoned California workers’ comp attorney for help building your case.

Coverage for Sleep Disorders

In California, employees can obtain workers’ comp benefits for sleep disorders. Claiming workers’ comp for a sleep disorder is not an easy task, however, and there are significant limitations.

As of 2013, California law does not permit workers to claim permanent disability as a result of a sleep disorder. Workers can, however, claim other workers’ comp benefits if they experience insomnia or other sleep disorders.

The employee must demonstrate that they suffer from a sleep issue as a result of their job. If they suffer from sleep dysfunction because of their job, they can seek workers’ comp coverage for any medical treatments associated with that sleep issue. An employee may need to seek meditation, therapy, or medical devices such as a CPAP machine; these treatments may be compensable under workers’ comp.

Workplace Conditions That Can Lead to Sleep Disorders

To obtain workers’ compensation for sleep issues, an employee must demonstrate that the disorder was caused by their job. The worker does not need to prove that the employer committed some safety violation, abused the worker, or was otherwise at fault. There are many workplace conditions, however, that are known to cause sleep disorders, and an employee can strengthen their case by showing that they experienced these issues.

Common workplace conditions that can cause sleep disorders include:

• Long hours
• Inconsistent schedules and shift changes
• Working at night
• Long commutes
• Working multiple shifts in a day or having limited time between shifts
• Stressful or strenuous work
• Workplace harassment and hostile work environment
• Being required to respond to workplace concerns at all hours
• Workplace injury causing chronic pain, respiratory issue, or another malady that makes sleeping difficult
• Mental health issues caused by workplace stress, such as anxiety or depression

If you have trouble sleeping because of an illness, injury, or mental state that was caused by your work, you might be entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Discuss your situation with a qualified workers’ comp attorney to find out how you can obtain benefits and coverage.

If you suffer a work-related sleep disorder, mental illness, or physical injury, you need dedicated, diligent legal help to prove your claims. The experienced California workers’ comp legal team at Invictus Law is ready to help. We’re board-certified specialists in workers’ compensation. You don’t have to pay unless we recover on your behalf. Call us today for a consultation.