Work-Related Stress Claim Lawyers

Experienced Stress Claim Attorneys in Santa Ana, CA

Chronic overwork, verbal abuse, harassment, exposure to traumatic events, or a consistently toxic work environment can cause lasting harm. When that happens, you have the right to seek protection and benefits. Employers and insurance companies may try to minimize or dismiss what you’re experiencing, but the law does not.

In Santa Ana, California workers’ compensation law recognizes workplace stress as a legitimate psychiatric injury when it is caused by job-related pressures, conditions, or traumatic events.

These claims can cover serious mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, and emotional breakdowns when work is the primary cause.

This is not about everyday stress or having a bad week at work. Under California Labor Code § 3208.3, psychiatric injuries are recognized medical conditions when they are properly diagnosed and supported by evidence showing a clear connection to your job.

At Fontes Law Group, we take stress claims seriously. We work closely with qualified mental health professionals to document your condition, establish a clear diagnosis, and show how your work environment contributed to your injury. Our attorneys know how to push back when employers or insurers try to deny, delay, or downplay mental health claims.

If your mental health is suffering because of your job, you don’t have to handle it alone. We’re here to protect your rights and help you pursue the benefits and care you deserve under California law.

Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group

Experience. Compassion. Results.

Psychological injury claims are some of the hardest to prove in California’s workers’ compensation system, which is why having an experienced legal team with the resources to build a strong, well-documented case matters.

• • We’ve won compensation in complex stress-related claims and psychiatric injury cases
  • All team members speak Spanish
  • Offices in Santa Ana and Riverside
  • No fees unless we win your case
  • Trusted by California workers and their families

We don’t treat stress claims like an afterthought. We build real cases for real injuries.

Scope of Stress Claim Cases in California

California law allows workers to file a workers’ compensation claim for a psychiatric injury, including stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, when work is the primary cause. These claims are governed by California Labor Code § 3208.3 and are taken seriously when supported by proper medical and factual evidence.

To qualify for a work-related stress claim, you generally must show:

• You were employed for at least six months, unless the injury resulted from a sudden and extraordinary event (Labor Code § 3208.3(d))

• Your condition was diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist (California Code of Regulations § 9795.3)

• Your job was the predominant cause, meaning work contributed more than 50 percent to your psychological injury (Labor Code § 3208.3(b)(1))

These claims are closely examined. In Santa Ana and across California, employers and insurance companies often argue that stress comes from personal life issues rather than the workplace. Building a strong case means clearly documenting how your job caused or worsened your condition.

Common Causes of Work-Related Stress Injuries

Not all stress qualifies for workers’ compensation. But when stress is tied directly to your job duties or employer conduct, you may have a valid claim.

We represent workers dealing with:

• Chronic overwork, unrealistic expectations, or mandatory overtime

• Harassment, bullying, or verbal abuse from supervisors or coworkers

• Repeated exposure to traumatic events, especially in health care, emergency response, or public safety

• Unsafe or chaotic working conditions that trigger panic or anxiety

• Hostile work environments or workplace retaliation

• Threats of termination or job loss leading to emotional breakdowns

Common Symptoms of Work-Related Stress

Stress injuries can affect both mental and physical health. Symptoms may include:

• Anxiety, depression, or panic attacks

• Sleep disruption or chronic insomnia

• Trouble concentrating, focusing, or remembering

• Withdrawal, isolation, or thoughts of self-harm

• Physical symptoms such as migraines, chest pain, or digestive problems

When your job becomes a threat to your mental health, California law provides the right to medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits. You don’t have to accept being dismissed or ignored, and you don’t have to go through the process alone.

Work-Related Injury Timeline

Stress-related workers’ compensation claims often move slowly, especially when employers or insurers push back.

• Diagnosis and reporting: about 1 to 3 months

• Insurance response: roughly 60 to 90 days

• Negotiation or hearing: 4 to 6 months or longer

We keep you informed at every stage and work to limit unnecessary delays.

Employer Duties and Common Failures

California employers are required to provide a safe workplace, including protecting employees’ mental well-being. This includes addressing harassment, keeping workloads reasonable, providing mental health accommodations when needed, and avoiding retaliation.

When employers ignore complaints or warning signs, preventable stress injuries can occur.

At Fontes Law Group, we hold employers accountable when they fail to meet these obligations and fight for fair treatment and compensation.

What Compensation Can Cover in Stress Claims

A successful stress-related workers’ compensation claim can provide more than short-term help. The goal is to support your mental health, protect your income, and give you options to move forward, whether that means returning to work or transitioning to something new.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation covers the mental health treatment you need, which may include:

• Psychiatric evaluations by licensed mental health professionals

• Ongoing therapy or counseling, including trauma-focused treatment

• Prescription medication for anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders

• Inpatient or hospital care for severe psychiatric conditions

• Follow-up care to monitor progress and adjust treatment

Under California law, all reasonable and necessary medical treatment must be paid for by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Wage Support and Job Protection

If your condition prevents you from working, benefits may include:

• Temporary disability payments to replace lost wages during treatment

• Permanent disability benefits if your condition causes lasting impairment

• Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (SJDB), a job retraining voucher worth up to $6,000 if you can’t return to your prior position

These benefits are administered through the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Additional Compensation Outside Workers’ Comp

When a stress injury results from unlawful conduct such as harassment, retaliation, or a hostile work environment, workers’ compensation may not be the only option. In some cases, a separate civil claim may allow recovery for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and broader income losses.

At Fontes Law Group, we evaluate every stress claim carefully to make sure no form of compensation is overlooked.

FAQs About Stress Claims

Helpful Resources for California Residents

California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
California Department of Industrial Relations
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
National Alliance on Mental Illness – California

Start Your Path to Recovery Today

If your job has broken down your mental health, you don’t have to prove you’re “tough enough” to keep going. You need support, and the law is on your side.

Let Fontes Law Group fight for the treatment, time, and compensation you need to heal.

Request a free case review today.