Disability Retirement for PTSD

Collecting Disability Retirement in California for PTSD

If you are a public employee, when service takes a toll your retirement system offers disability retirement benefits that can help. And public employee disability retirement benefits are not just limited to workers who cannot perform their job due to accident, illness, or injury.

Whether you belong to CalPERS, CalSTRS, OCERS, LACERA, SBcera, VCERA, SDCERA or another public employee retirement system, you are also entitled to disability retirement benefits under the terms of your agreement if a psychological condition or mental illness renders you unable to perform your job.

One of the most common psychological illnesses experienced by public employees is post-traumatic stress disorder – more commonly referred to as “PTSD”. In this article, the specialized disability retirement attorneys at Cantrell Green explore the issues surrounding disability retirement for PTSD.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) isn’t just a soldier’s burden. Public employees, from firefighters and police officers to correction officers, social workers, teachers, and paramedics, often face similar dangers and traumas. The invisible wounds of PTSD can leave them deeply affected, potentially even leading to a need to apply for disability retirement.

PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying, traumatic, or life-threatening event. Reliving flashbacks, being haunted by nightmares, or feeling constantly on edge and in fear is the reality for many with PTSD.

The mind stays trapped in the traumatic situation, which can cause causing hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, and emotional detachment. It can manifest in physical symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, and fatigue, impacting every facet of the employee’s life.

Other common symptoms of PTSD include:

Intrusive thoughts and memories, including vivid recollections of the trauma, often accompanied by physical sensations like racing heart or sweating.
Avoidance behaviors to help one escape anything that reminds them of the trauma – which can lead to isolation and social withdrawal.
Hypervigilance or “hair trigger” reactions can result in constantly scanning for danger, being easily startled, insomnia, and being unable to ever relax fully.
Negative changes in mood and thinking are also common in sufferers of PTSD. They may feel numb, hopeless, or guilty, with difficulty concentrating or experiencing emotional outbursts.

Why Public Employees are Susceptible to PTSD

Public servants often face situations in their line of work that can trigger PTSD. First responders can witness violence and/or death as part of their job. They see accidents, crime scenes, and human suffering firsthand. Police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and others face physical danger in the line of duty and may even be subject to direct threats and attacks.

Chronic stress and burnout can also lead to PTSD. Dealing with constant emergencies, demanding workloads, and emotional scenarios can take a severe toll. And with violence escalating in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and other places of public employment, teachers, healthcare workers and many others may suffer traumatic experiences that lead to PTSD. Witnessing injustice, tragedy, and limited ability to control outcomes can lead to guilt and despair.

Disability Retirement for PTSD: A Lifeline for Recovery

If PTSD significantly impairs your ability to perform your job duties, you may be eligible for disability retirement under your public employee retirement system agreement. If you are eligible for disability retirement under your retirement system’s agreement, you will be entitled to:

Monthly financial support: Replacing a portion of your lost income, allowing you to focus on healing without financial worries.
Access to healthcare: Coverage for mental health treatment, including therapy, medication, and specialized programs.
Time to recover: A chance to prioritize your well-being and rebuild your mental health without the pressure of work demands.

Proving Disability Due to PTSD

If you are suffering from PTSD, do not delay seeking help. The longer you wait to get treatment, the worse your psychological condition can get and the longer your illness is likely to last. PTSD is not your fault, and you need and deserve proper treatment – as well as disability benefits so that you can focus on recovering without the burden of work.

If you are having thoughts or feelings of suicide, call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Available 24/7

PTSD is just as “real” as physical injuries and illnesses. However, “proving” a psychological condition like PTSD can sometimes be very difficult since there is not a physical test – like an x-ray or MRI – that can show a mental injury. And, as with any claim for disability retirement benefits, a worker must “prove” that they suffer from PTSD.

If you are suffering from PTSD, you should see a mental health professional immediately – and get the help that you need and deserve. Most importantly, this will help you begin the road to recovery. But seeing a psychiatrist, psychologists, neurologist, or other mental health doctor will also provide the medical documentation that you will need in order to get your disability claim approved more quickly.

Disability Retirement Attorneys for PTSD

Navigating the intricacies of public employee disability retirement, especially for PTSD claims, can be daunting. But you don’t have to go it alone. The disability retirement attorneys at Cantrell Green have extensive experience helping public employees secure disability benefits for all medical conditions – including PTSD and other psychological illnesses.

Our disability retirement attorneys will evaluate your case, compile your medical records, collect supporting documentation (including witness statements and expert evaluations), and document your work limitations – to build a strong claim.

Then we will negotiate with the retirement board, and aggressively advocate on your behalf, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. PTSD is a treatable condition, and disability retirement can be a crucial stepping stone on your road to recovery.

The disability retirement attorneys at Cantrell Green, understand the unique challenges of public service PTSD and are dedicated to helping you collect the benefits you deserve. Contact the disability retirement attorneys at Cantrell Green today, and we will help you obtain the benefits you deserve so you can rebuild a life beyond the trauma.

Disability Retirement Attorneys for PTSD: 562-622-4800

The rules, terms, regulations, and agreement of your Employees’ Retirement System will affect your eligibility and how your unique disability retirement benefits are administered. If you have question about your public employee retirement system, find your system, below – or call our attorneys at: 562-622-4800

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Our highly specialized disability retirement attorneys are committed to ensuring that every injured or disabled public employee obtains the disability retirement benefits he or she has earned.

We have successfully filed hundreds of disability retirement applications and appeals – obtaining millions of dollars in disability retirement benefits in our four decades of legal service.

In our Disability Retirement Blog, our attorneys keep you updated on the latest, news and information pertaining to CalPERS, CalSTRS, OCERS, LACERA. SBcera, VCERA & SDCERA disability retirement.