High blood pressure or hypertension affects millions of Americans each year and can lead to heart attacks and other serious medical conditions. While many factors contribute to hypertension, one of the many causes is stress, including anxiety caused by high-pressure jobs and dangerous working conditions.
Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits for high blood pressure or hypertension can be challenging. Even in the most stressful work environments, workers often find it difficult to prove their health condition is work-related on their own. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are ready to assist you if your claim for worker’s compensation benefits has been disputed or denied.
If you are suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure caused by a stressful work environment, don’t give up if your claim has been turned down. Our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys can help give you the Kentucky Courage to fight for full benefits. We’ve helped hardworking Kentuckians just like you secure the full benefits available by law. Check out our reviews from past clients.
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we tackle cases from all angles, which means we will carefully evaluate your circumstance and determine the best path to pursue the assistance you need – whether through an appeal for workers’ comp benefits or another approach. Many workers’ compensation disputes are resolved through a compromise settlement.
If you are struggling with high blood pressure or hypertension that you think is work-related, contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer right away. Our dedicated, compassionate, and experienced legal team is available 24/7 to serve you through our seven office locations across Kentucky. To set up your free consultation, call us today at (877) 809-5352 or chat with us online.
Visit one of our offices located across Kentucky in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, North London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Princeton.
Types of Accidents That Lead to High Blood Pressure or Hypertension
Many factors can contribute to a person developing high blood pressure or hypertension. Some people have a genetic predisposition to hypertension. Other elements may contribute, as well. For example, a person’s diet, lack of physical activity, drinking, obesity, smoking, and chronic stress are also common causes of hypertension.
Unfortunately, these factors are often interrelated. For instance, many people in high-stress jobs work long hours each day and have little time to exercise or cook healthy food. Additionally, someone who is stressed out at work might try to cope with their stress by smoking or drinking when they get home.
While anyone can be exposed to stress at work and possibly develop high blood pressure or hypertension, some of the workers that are most commonly exposed to this risk include:
- First responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.
- Workers that help keep others’ safe, including air traffic controllers, military service members, and medical professionals.
- People with high-profile responsibilities, such as senior corporate executives or commercial airline pilots.
- Workers in high-risk or hazardous environments, including corrections officers, miners, roofers, lumberjacks, painters, and ironworkers.
- People who are often under tight deadlines and quotas like taxi drivers, public relations executives, newspaper reporters, or photojournalists.
Some workers also face additional risks that can contribute to the development of hypertension or high blood pressure. For example, working regularly with radiation, such as from a CT scanner or X-ray machine, can increase the risk of developing hypertension, according to the American Heart Association.
Additionally, workers might develop high blood pressure as a byproduct of some other work-related injury. For instance, if an employee suffers a workplace injury like a broken bone or muscle tear, the worker may experience excruciating pain, which can increase the worker’s anxiety levels and lead to spikes in blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension Complications
When high blood pressure and hypertension go untreated, it can lead to serious and even deadly complications, such as:
- Stroke or heart attack
- Heart failure
- Aneurysm
- Cognitive issues, such as memory problems or trouble understanding concepts
- Vision loss
- Kidney disfunction
- Metabolic syndrome
Kentucky Injury Laws
Kentucky law requires most employers to have workers’ comp insurance to cover employees who are injured on the job. This compensation is meant to help cover the worker’s medical treatment, as well as other expenses such as wages lost due to any injury or future expenses arising from employment.
The workers’ compensation law applies to work-related injuries that are easy to see such as cuts and burns and, psychiatric conditions related to physical injuries. A claim also may involve an occupational disease or condition that is not readily viewed as being caused by work. A doctor’s opinion is typically needed to establish that the disease or health condition is job-related. Workers can even file for workers’ comp benefits if they were injured in another state, but their work is principally located in Kentucky.
In order for an employee to access workers’ comp benefits, he or she typically must notify their employer as soon as possible after learning that the health condition is work-related. The worker must file a claim within two years of the date of onset of the condition or injury. However, this time period might be extended or shortened in special circumstances. If the claim is denied, the worker can appeal the decision and fight for compensation through a hearing or alternative dispute resolution.
Can You Get Workers Compensation Due to High Blood Pressure?
Medical studies have proven that hypertension and high blood pressure can be linked to work-related stress. Many workers have valid claims. However, it can be difficult to prove that your hypertension or high blood pressure is job-related because people can develop this condition gradually over many years without showing any symptoms.
To prove your case and successfully get workers’ comp for your injuries, you’ll need to prove that your high blood pressure or hypertension was work-related. To do so, make sure to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, as this will help prove the link between your injury and work.
Upon this report, your employer should provide you with a number of forms that you’ll need to officially file for workers’ compensation, such as forms on medical history and employment history.
Additionally, if you haven’t gotten a full medical evaluation, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If your employer has a managed care health insurance plan, you will need to select from the listed health care providers. You must notify your employer and insurance provider of your choice of doctors. The physician can help evaluate and treat your condition. The health care provider’s medical report will be valuable in proving when your high blood pressure began. The report also may help connect your condition to work-related circumstances. Often, it is the doctor who tells the worker that their health condition is work-related. You’ll need this form, along with documentation of your wages, when you file with the Department of Workers’ Claims.
If your disputed workers’ compensation claim cannot be resolved and goes to a hearing, and the administrative law judge determines that you are eligible for workers’ comp for high blood pressure, then the types of compensation that should be available to you include coverage for lost wages, medical treatment, and related expenses.
Can I File a Lawsuit for High Blood Pressure or Hypertension at Work?
Under Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws, you are generally not permitted to file a lawsuit against your employer or a fellow employee for a work-related injury or condition. However, other options remain.
Depending on your circumstances, you might have other options available to you, such as government benefits like Social Security Disability insurance.
Get Help from a Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you are seeking workers’ compensation benefits after a diagnosis of high blood pressure, you may face considerable challenges in getting the full benefits on your own from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to access the workers’ compensation benefits. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure and you believe it is related to your work, call Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today to schedule your free consultation. We have recovered more than $157 million in workers’ compensation settlements for our clients.
Our skilled Kentucky workers’ comp and personal injury attorneys will leave no stone unturned in helping you pursue the best outcome. Contact us today at (877) 809-5352 or online. We’re here for you 24/7.
