Insomnia is a complex issue and you will need to prove that it was caused by your work, and not another thing in your personal life.
Adults need around 7 hours of sleep every night. But when you have to juggle a busy work schedule, and still try to find time for social activities, these sleeping hours can be significantly reduced.
In some cases, irregular sleeping patterns can lead to insomnia, which is a condition that affects roughly 1 in 4 Americans. There are many reasons why some people can experience this sleeping disorder, including shift work. If this happens, you may need some help to get some quality sleep.
How Your Job Can Lead to Insomnia
People tend to think of how insomnia, or lack of sleep in general, can affect their work, but there is also a lot of evidence to suggest the reverse is true as well. For instance, one cause of insomnia can be high levels of stress. This can be either caused by something personal or it can very well be work-related.
Shift work can also sometimes lead to insomnia. It creates an irregular sleeping pattern that, in some cases, can cause difficulties falling asleep. Even if the worker does manage to sleep, it is often done in small episodes 1-2 hours of sleep, followed by waking up and not being able to go back to sleep.
Insomnia is different than not being able to sleep for a few days. If you have trouble sleeping for 2-3 days, but then this goes away, then you have nothing major to worry about. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand generally lasts at least 3 months, and does not go away on its own. If your sleeplessness persists for more than a week, you most likely need to see a doctor to determine what the cause of it is.
Can You Apply for Worker’s Comp?
If the job has lead to insomnia, either because of irregular shifts that have thrown your sleeping routine off balance, or high levels of stress, then it’s possible to cover the cost of treatment through worker’s compensation.
However, insomnia is a complex issue and you will need to prove that it was caused by your work, and not another thing in your personal life. For instance, insomnia can also be caused by changes in the environment, such as moving to a new home, or an emotional event, like the death in the family.
If there is anything in your life to suggest your insomnia may not be caused by your job, then you can expect to have to convince the insurance company that your claim is valid.
St. Louis Workers Comp Lawyer
If you suffer from chronic insomnia and feel that it is work-related, talk to an experienced workers compensation attorney to help you determine if you have a case. Because it is a complex issue, your employer’s insurance company will likely try and deny your claim. Either way the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can help. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 for a free consultation. You may also fill out our online case evaluation form.