Is A Heart Attack Or Stroke Covered by Workers Comp?

If medical evidence supports that a heart attack or stroke was work-related, it may be covered by workers comp. Call (314) 361-4300 to speak with an attorney.

Workers compensation benefits are meant to provide financial compensation and medical expenses for injuries sustained at work or as a result of their work. Whether or not a heart attack or stroke that occurs at work will be covered under workers’ compensation is a bit of a gray area. First of all, the incident must be related to the work that you do or the working conditions, like heat, physical exertion, or stress. If the medical evidence supports this, you could have a successful claim. This could be true even if a heart attack or stroke occurred at home.

If you file a claim for workers’ compensation for a heart attack or stroke, your employer’s insurance company will look closely at your medical records. They will assume you are predisposed to a heart attack/stroke if they find that you have or have had high blood pressure, are overweight, or have high cholesterol.

The burden of proof will be on you and your attorney to show that your injury is caused by conditions related to your work. These cases can be very complicated, and you should seek the expert advice of a workers’ compensation attorney. It will be the job of your expert workers’ compensation attorney to prove that your condition was caused by your job or working conditions, so they will need to obtain evidence to support this.

A doctor’s medical opinion of what precipitated your injury can be invaluable. Discuss the option of getting a second opinion with your workers’ compensation attorney if the opinion of the doctor your employer requires you to see does not support your case.

To make the chances of success more likely, report your condition to your employer as soon as possible and begin filling out the necessary paperwork. In most cases, you have 30 days to report the injury to your employer before you could lose out on receiving benefits.

It is important that you find an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to evaluate your case because workers’ comp laws differ from state to state. You will need to determine what requirements need to be met in your area and what benefits you are entitled to. Your attorney will evaluate your case, examine your medical history, and investigate your working conditions. Extreme pressure at work and the stress it causes can put you at an increased risk of a heart attack. Research has indicated that people who work at jobs that put them under a lot of stress are five times more likely to experience a heart attack.

Industries Commonly at Risk

Your work environment can have a significant impact on your heart/cardiovascular health. Recent studies have shown that some careers are more vulnerable to on-the-job heart attacks than others. If you’re employed in one of the following professions, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your heart health.

Wholesale Trade

Wholesale trade is a broad category that includes various occupations, from sales representatives and purchasing agents to transportation planners. While the specific duties of each job vary, they all often share one common trait: a high-stress level.

Sales representatives, for example, are under constant pressure to meet quotas, while purchasing agents must juggle a variety of competing demands from both buyers and sellers. And with the ever-changing markets and trends, wholesale buyers must be able to adapt on the fly. This can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks.

Transportation and Warehousing

Transportation and warehousing are other sectors that are rife with stressors. From tight deadlines to long hours on your feet, the pressure is always on in these jobs. And with the added risk of injuries, including back strains and slips, trips, and falls, it’s no wonder that transportation and warehousing workers are more likely to suffer from heart attacks than other occupations.

Public Administration

Public administration covers various occupations, from municipal clerks and tax collectors to city managers and police chiefs. While the work can be rewarding, it’s often high-pressure and fast-paced. Public servants are also often required to work long hours, including nights and weekends. All of these factors can contribute to an increased risk of heart attacks.

Shift Workers

While shift work can offer some benefits, like increased flexibility, it also comes with various risks. For one thing, shift work can disrupt your natural sleep patterns, leading to fatigue. It can also cause gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux and indigestion. But perhaps most importantly, shift work has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. So if you find yourself working odd hours, be sure to take extra care of your heart health.

Community and Social Services

Community and social service occupations encompass various jobs, from counselors and probation officers to social workers and human resources specialists. While these jobs can be fulfilling, they’re also often high-stress—which can take a toll on your heart health. 

For one, community and social service workers are more likely to be exposed to traumatic events, such as violence, abuse, and natural disasters, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They’re also more likely to work long hours and have little control over their work schedules. All of these factors can contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney

If you or a loved one have been injured on the job, get in touch with an experienced St. Louis workers comp attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to learn more about your legal rights and options. We have over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of success in Missouri workers’ compensation cases. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

Work-Related Injuries