Massachusetts Injury Lawyers Blog
In Massachusetts, emotional and psychological injuries are compensable under workers’ compensation law when they arise from identifiable workplace events or conditions. However, when such injuries stem from internal conflicts, professional feedback, or typical employment actions, the law imposes limits. A recent decision by the Massachusetts Reviewing Board illustrates the strict standards applied to claims for mental injuries allegedly caused by workplace stress or supervisory decisions. If you are experiencing emotional harm related to your job, a Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine whether your injury meets the legal requirements for compensation.
Factual Background and Procedural History
It is alleged that the employee, a longtime case specialist at a Massachusetts Trial Court, filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits based on psychological harm she attributed to persistent bullying by her supervisor. The employee stated that beginning in early 2016, she experienced episodes of anxiety and panic attacks at work. According to her testimony, her supervisor singled her out for criticism, micromanaged her tasks, and excluded her from professional opportunities. The employee asserted that this pattern of conduct resulted in depression and anxiety, for which she sought medical treatment and eventually took a leave of absence.
It is reported that the employee presented medical evidence in support of her claim, including records from her treating physician and a Section 11A impartial examiner. Both sets of medical opinions diagnosed her with an anxiety disorder and depressive symptoms. However, the impartial examiner opined that the employee’s symptoms were largely attributable to preexisting factors, including a personal history of trauma and longstanding anxiety, rather than specific incidents at work.
It is further reported that the employee’s claim proceeded to a hearing before an administrative judge. The judge denied the claim, finding that while the employee genuinely experienced psychological distress, the alleged conduct by her supervisor did not rise to the level of compensable workplace harm. The judge noted that ordinary supervisory actions, such as performance reviews and workload monitoring, were insufficient to establish liability under G.L. c. 152. The employee appealed to the Reviewing Board, arguing that the judge failed to give appropriate weight to her testimony and misapplied the legal standard for mental injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Psychological Injuries
The Reviewing Board affirmed the administrative judge’s decision, emphasizing that Massachusetts workers’ compensation law does not provide benefits for every instance of workplace-related emotional distress. Psychological injuries must be shown to arise from “a series of work-related events” that are “peculiar” to the employment and not common to all workplaces. The Board reiterated that criticism from a supervisor, strained interpersonal dynamics, or the denial of promotions generally do not qualify unless they are so egregious as to be outside the scope of reasonable managerial conduct.
The Reviewing Board found that the administrative judge appropriately credited the impartial medical examiner’s opinion that the employee’s emotional condition was rooted in longstanding personal issues rather than specific work-related events. Furthermore, the Board held that even if the employee’s perception of being mistreated was sincere, the conduct described did not meet the threshold of an identifiable workplace injury under the statute.
Talk to a Seasoned Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Claims involving mental or emotional harm in the workplace must meet strict legal standards in Massachusetts. If you are struggling with psychological injuries you believe were caused by your job, Attorney James K. Meehan can help you assess the viability of a workers’ compensation claim. Contact the Law Office of James K. Meehan at 508-822-6600 or reach out through our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.
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