PTSD Compensation Lawyers

You can claim workers comp for PTSD if your condition developed at (or because of) work. Generally speaking, there are three kinds of compensation that you could receive:

Basic workers compensation benefits

Most workers diagnosed with PTSD are automatically eligible for standard workers compensation benefits, which typically include:

• Weekly payments: up to 95% of your pre-injury income.
• Coverage for medical expenses.
• Access to rehab and support services.
• Travel costs to and from medical appointments.

Lump sum PTSD payments

In addition to your weekly payments, you may also be entitled to a lump sum compensation for PTSD at work if your condition is permanent.

To qualify, you’ll need a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment, which measures how much your condition has impacted your life. In some states, you’ll need to meet a minimum WPI before you’re eligible for a lump sum:

It’s important to note that the WPI thresholds above relate specifically to psychological injuries like PTSD — the requirements are different for physical injuries.

To learn more about getting a lump sum for PTSD, check out our guide to workers compensation claims for permanent impairment.

Common law damages claims

If your PTSD was the result of employer negligence, you might be eligible to pursue a common law damages claim.

Unlike standard workers compensation, a common law claim can lead to a significantly larger payout — sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions if your condition is severe.

In addition to your regular workers comp entitlements, your compensation could also cover:

• Future loss of income and super.
• Ongoing medical and rehab expenses.
• Pain and suffering (depending on your state).

The amount of PTSD compensation you can claim after a car accident depends on your state and whether you were at fault.

You may be eligible for:

• Lost income: any wages you’ve lost (as well as future earnings if you weren’t at fault).
• Pain and suffering: for the emotional and physical toll of PTSD.
• Care and support: including help from professionals or family, especially if you can’t care for a dependent.
• Out-of-pocket costs: like medical bills and travel to appointments.

If you’ve developed PTSD from a car accident, see our complete guide to motor accident settlements or speak to our PTSD lawyers for tailored advice.

If your PTSD has left you permanently unable to work, you may be eligible to make a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation. Unlike weekly workers comp payments, a successful TPD claim provides a one-off lump sum to help support your long-term financial future. The exact payout depends on your super fund and the terms of your policy.

The good news? Many super funds automatically include TPD cover, meaning you could qualify without even realising it. If you’re not sure what you’re entitled to, reach out — our lawyers for PTSD can review your policy and check your eligibility at no cost to you.

Depending on your situation, PTSD compensation under a public liability claim could cover:

• Past and future lost income, including superannuation.
• Care and support for you and any dependents.
• Pain and suffering — the emotional and psychological toll of your PTSD.
• Medical expenses, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.

To better understand what you might be entitled to, explore our full guide on public liability compensation or chat with one of our specialist PTSD and injury lawyers today.

Before you begin your PTSD claim, it’s important to speak with a lawyer who specialises in this area. During a free consultation, we’ll walk you through the process and make sure you understand exactly what you’re entitled to.

Your PTSD lawyer will also look into every possible option for compensation, making sure you get the maximum payout you’re eligible for.

Solid expert evidence is key to winning a PTSD claim — especially if you need to prove someone else was at fault. You’ll need to show not only how deeply PTSD has affected your life, but also clearly link it to the actions or negligence of the other party.

That’s where our experienced PTSD lawyers come in. We work closely with top medical and liability experts who help build strong, well-rounded evidence to support your case. And the best part? We cover all expert costs upfront, so you won’t pay anything unless we win your claim.

Once your case is ready, your PTSD compensation lawyer will take care of lodging your claim:

• Workers compensation or car accident claims: we’ll submit your claim to the insurer, complete with all the supporting evidence.
• Public liability claims: your lawyer will initiate court proceedings on your behalf.
• TPD claims: we’ll manage the full submission to your super fund or TPD insurer, ensuring everything is in order.

No matter what kind of claim you’re making, we’ll handle the entire process from start to finish — making it as smooth and stress-free for you as possible.

After your claim is lodged, you’ll need to wait for the fund or insurer’s decision:

• Workers compensation and car accident claims: the insurer will notify you if your claim is approved. If approved, you’ll start receiving weekly payments. If your claim is denied or the payout is lower than expected, your lawyer will step in to challenge the decision and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• TPD claims: you can expect to hear back from the super fund or insurer within a few months. Thanks to our experience and expertise, we’re confident your claim will be approved. Once approved, we’ll help you decide how you’d like to receive your benefit and ensure it gets paid out as quickly as possible.

If your claim goes to court, you’ll be required to attend a mandatory pre-court mediation with the insurer. Your PTSD claim lawyer will manage all the negotiations, ensuring the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Thanks to our experience and careful case preparation, your claim is likely to settle during this stage. However, if the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can show up in many ways, but most symptoms tend to fall into four key areas:

1. Re-living the trauma: this could mean flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts triggered by reminders of the event.
2. Avoidance: you might steer clear of places, people, or situations that bring the trauma back to mind.
3. Mood and belief changes: feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or emotional numbness can take hold, making it hard to connect with others.
4. Hyperarousal: feeling constantly alert, jumpy, or having trouble sleeping is common. You may feel like you’re always ‘on edge’.

If you’ve been through a traumatic event and these symptoms sound familiar, you might be living with PTSD. Reaching out for professional support is an important first step — and there’s real strength in doing so. If you’re concerned about the cost of psychiatric treatment or feeling the financial pressure from your PTSD, reach out to us today. Our lawyers can help you get a PTSD payout to ease the burden and support your financial future.

If you’ve been formally diagnosed with PTSD by a GP or mental health professional, it’s likely your condition is serious enough for a claim. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms but haven’t received a diagnosis yet, these are some signs you could have a PTSD claim:

• Your symptoms have lasted longer than a month and aren’t improving with time.
• You’re unable to work as much as before (or at all).
• Daily life is impacted, such as if you’re having trouble sleeping, maintaining relationships, or doing things you used to enjoy.
• You’ve sought treatment (like counselling, medication or therapy) to manage your condition.
• The PTSD was triggered by a specific incident, like a workplace accident, exposure to trauma, bullying, a car crash, or assault.

If you’re unsure whether your condition qualifies for compensation, get in touch today. Our lawyers have decades of experience in PTSD claims and will confidentially review your situation, get you assessed by our expert psychiatrists, and explain whether you may have a valid claim.

There are time limits for all PTSD claims, but the exact deadline depends on the type of claim and your state.

If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t worry — each state has exceptions, and our expert PTSD claim lawyers can apply for an extension on your behalf. We’ve helped many clients navigate delays and still secure the compensation they deserve.

Not sure which time limits apply to you? Contact us today, and we’ll guide you through your options, free of charge.

Workplace PTSD claims

Inform your employer about your diagnosis as soon as you can. Depending on your state, you’ll typically have between 6 to 12 months to file a PTSD workers compensation claim.
For common law claims, the deadlines also vary by state. Some states give you three years from the date of the incident, while others start the clock when you become aware that your employer’s negligence caused your PTSD.

PTSD car accident compensation claims

In most states, you must report your accident to the state insurer as soon as possible. After that, you’ll need to initiate court proceedings within a specific deadline, which can range from 13 weeks to three years, depending on your state.
To find the exact time limits for your state, check out our complete guide to motor accident time limits.

Total and Permanent Disability claims

Unlike personal injury claims, TPD claims typically don’t have strict time limits unless your policy states otherwise. However, it’s always wise to start your PTSD claim as soon as possible. Delaying can make it harder to gather evidence, and insurers may be more likely to dispute or deny your claim.

Public liability PTSD claims

The deadline for filing a public liability claim varies by state. In some states, you have three years from the date of the incident — while in others, you have three years from when you first become aware that someone else’s negligence caused your PTSD.

Yes, in some cases, PTSD is considered a permanent disability if it causes long-term issues for your work or daily life.

If your PTSD is permanent, there are two types of permanent disability PTSD payouts you may qualify for: a lump sum workers comp payment and a TPD claim. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for both.

If your PTSD is causing your long-term issues, it’s crucial to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. In a free consultation, we’ll listen to your story and fully explain your compensation options.

Lump sum workplace PTSD compensation

If your PTSD is long-term or permanent, you might be eligible for a lump sum payment on top of your weekly workers comp benefits.

To access this, you’ll need to undergo a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment. This evaluation looks at how significantly your PTSD has affected your daily life and overall functioning. In some states, there’s a minimum WPI threshold you’ll need to meet to qualify for a lump sum payout.

TPD compensation

If PTSD has made it impossible for you to return to work, you could be eligible to claim a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation. Unlike regular workers compensation payments, a TPD payout is a one-off lump sum designed to provide financial stability well into the future. The amount you receive will depend on your super fund and the specific terms of your policy.

Beyond a standard workers compensation payout, it’s possible to sue your employer for PTSD if their negligence caused your condition. This is known as making a common law damages claim.

Examples of employer negligence that could lead to PTSD include:

• Ignoring bullying or harassment in the workplace.
• Exposing workers to trauma without proper training or support.
• A lack of safety measures, leading to serious accidents.
• Excessive workloads or unrealistic deadlines.
• Dismissing mental health concerns or signs of stress.
• Creating a toxic or unsafe work culture.

While standard workers comp PTSD settlements offer weekly payments for lost income and medical expenses, common law damages claims can result in significant lump sums — potentially worth hundreds of thousands (or even millions, for severe PTSD).

That’s why it’s crucial to consult with a skilled lawyer before filing a PTSD lawsuit against your employer. With decades of experience and access to a strong network of medical experts, we’ll build a robust case to prove your employer’s negligence and directly link it to your condition.

In Queensland, once your WorkCover claim is lodged and your PTSD has stabilised (meaning it’s unlikely to improve with more treatment), a doctor will assess how serious your injury is. This is called a Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI) assessment.

If your DPI is 1% or more, WorkCover will make you a lump sum offer. If you’ve received a PTSD settlement offer from your workers compensation insurer, don’t rush to accept it.

Once you accept a lump sum offer, your choice is final — so it’s vital to speak with a specialist workers compensation lawyer before making any decisions. In a free consultation, we’ll explain your options clearly and ensure that accepting the insurer’s offer doesn’t extinguish your right to additional compensation claims.

To prove your PTSD claim and get the compensation you deserve, you need strong evidence showing both your condition and its impact on every aspect of your life. This may include:

• Medical records: a complete medical history, including treatment notes, medications, and any diagnostic tests confirming your PTSD.
• Mental health professional reports: documentation from psychologists or psychiatrists outlining your symptoms, how your condition has progressed, and its impact on daily life.
• Personal statement: a thorough account of the traumatic event(s) and how PTSD has affected your life — emotionally, socially, financially, and professionally.
• Witness statements: from other people who witnessed the traumatic event, as well as from family, friends, or colleagues who can attest to the changes in your behaviour and lifestyle.
• Employment records: if your PTSD has impacted your work, include payslips, tax returns, and a statement from your employer about time off or lost income.

Importantly, you’re not expected to gather this evidence on your own. When you work with our expert PTSD lawyers, we’ll collect your records of your treatment, lost income and other expenses on your behalf. Your lawyer will also reach out to any witnesses and use our national network of psychiatrists and vocational experts to bolster your claim.