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MEN, DEPRESSION, SUICIDE, AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Stress impacts Men and Women differently.   Studies show there are differences in the workplace.  The findings are both significant and complicated.

This article will discuss depression, suicide, the differences between men and women, and the implications with respect to workers’ compensation cases.

What Is the Psychological Diagnosis of Depression?  

 Per the American Psychiatric Association, Depression (major depressive disorder) is an illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

”Depression symptoms can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood, Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, Loss of energy or increased fatigue, Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others), Feeling worthless or guilty, Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions, Thoughts of death or suicide.” APA

A depression diagnosis requires these symptoms last for an extended period of time. “Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression.” APA

Which Sex Is Diagnosed Most with Depression?

 Studies show that women are diagnosed at twice the rate as men. “[c]omparatively, in Western countries, men are formally diagnosed with depression at approximately half the rate of women” (Kessler et al., 2005Wilhelm, Parker, Geerligs, & Wedgwood, 2008).” 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

Note: These findings raise questions.  There is the issue of “men’s reluctance to express concerns about their mental health and reticence to seek professional health care (Emslie, Ridge, Ziebland, & Hunt, 2006Sharpe & Heppner, 1991Winkler et al., 2006).” 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

In other words, men may not seek mental health treatment. Thus, there would be fewer depression diagnosis for men.

Is There a Connection Between Depression and Suicide?

Severe depression can … significantly increase the risk for suicide.  (Emslie et al., 2006Kessler et al., 2005Wilhelm et al., 2008World Health Organization, n.d.), 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

Which Sex is at Most Risk of Suicide?

Men have been found to have higher rates of suicide. “[S]uicide rates are approximately four times higher in Western men than in women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012Hawton & van Heeringen, 2009Levi et al., 2003Moller-Leimkuhler, 2003Rihmer, Belso, & Kiss, 2002Statistics Canada, 2012a2012bWasserman, 2000Wolfgang & Zoltan, 2007).” 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

Thus, there is the question as to why men’s suicide rates are higher when their depression rates are lower.

Are There Suicidal Issues Related to Occupation?

The issue of suicide has multiple issues.  There is suicidal thought or ideation.  There is the act of suicide.

Studies have found high suicide rates in male-dominated workgroups. This included manual workers, farming, military and nursing.” 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

Suicidal ideation is also an issue for men. Being a failed breadwinner can have an impact on suicidal thoughts. “Linkages between men’s work, depression, and suicide have also been described. Self-perceptions of being a “failed breadwinner” led older men with a history of depression to think about suicide (Oliffe, Han, Ogrodniczuk, Phillips, & Roy, 2011), whereas some middle-aged men countered suicidal ideations by focusing on work as a means of providing for their family (Oliffe, Ogrodniczuk, Bottorff, Johnson, & Hoyak, 2012. 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/1557988313490786

Is There a Connection Between Depression and Retirement?

Depressed workers are more likely to retire than nondepressed workers (Doshi, Cen, & Polsky, 2008) 1. Oliffe JL, Han CSE. Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Men’s Mental Health In and Out of Work. American Journal of Men’s Health. January 2014:45-53. doi:10.1177/155798831349078

What Does This Information Mean with Respect to Workers’ Compensation Claims?

These studies impact workers’ compensation cases in that they provide insight into the injured worker.

There studies show that there is some uniqueness for a man to file a claim for depression. These studies provide “red flags” as to certain occupations that men perform and their risk for suicide.  These studies may give some insight to employers as to whether depressed male  injured workers are going retire or return to work.  These studies show that working may assist a man’s mental state.

What If I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

 

JANITORS AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A large part of the labor market is the occupation of Professional Cleaners.  They are also referred to as Commercial Janitors.  The Janitorial Occupation is susceptible for a variety of work injuries and occupational illnesses. Janitorial work presents unique risks for work injuries for those within the field.

This article will discuss Janitors, Janitorial Tasks, Industrial injuries and Occupational Illnesses that are prevalent within the Occupation, and the barriers that Janitors have with respect to filing claims.

What are Janitors?

Janitors perform a variety of maintenance tasks a variety of facilities. They use a multitude of tools and chemicals to perform their jobs.  They can engage in a large variety of repetitive physical tasks, ie. sweeping or mopping.

Janitors can work at institutions such as schools, hospitals, parks, and prisons.

Janitors can work in commercial buildings such as shopping malls, and they can work in residential properties.

What Are Janitor’s Risks of Industrial Injury?

Each type of facility can present unique risks of work injury for Janitors.

For example, hospitals and medical facilities can have significant amounts of potentially infectious biological material present.  Schools can have issues relating to mold exposure.

Further, the physical activities of being a Janitor may cause work injury.

What Types of Injuries Do Janitors Sustain?

There are a variety of work-related orthopedic injuries. These injuries relate, in part, due to the fact that “Janitorial work is repetitive and requires bending, twisting, and other motions that can lead to or exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis” Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

Also, Janitors may sustain respiratory injuries relating to the cleaning chemicals that they use.  Further, they may sustain dermatological injuries due to wet work.

What Are the Injury Rates for Janitors?

In a Washington State Study, it was noted that “[t]he prevalence of self-reported work-related injuries in the past year was higher than that of all others …. Analyses of WC data indicate that work-related injury risk may be higher for the industry group containing Janitors than other industries2 overall and in several injury types, with women at particularly high risk.” Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

Thus, the workers’ compensation industry both has a concern over janitorial injuries as well as an understanding that work injuries are common.  Thus, Risk Management handling Janitorial claims will work hard to manage these claims.  This can be done with respect to reporting requirements.  It can also be done with respect to return to work issues which can include modified work.

Do Janitors Have Emotional Issues?

Yes. Janitors, in the study, reported “being diagnosed with a depressive disorder ..significantly higher and has been reported previously.    Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

While this finding did not address work-relatedness, it is possible that the depressive disorder may be in party work-related in nature and give rise to a workers’ compensation claim.

Can Shift Work Impact Janitors?

Yes. Shiftwork has been connected to various medical conditions.

Shiftwork can cause issues of inadequate sleep.  Inadequate sleep can lead to other health issues.

Do Janitors Have Barriers in Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Yes. There is some concern as to whether all janitor work injury claims are filed.  As noted in the study, “[l]ow-wage, immigrant, and/or Hispanic worker populations, including many Janitors, may also not be aware of the WC system (or how to navigate the system, if they lack internet access) or of their right to seek medical care for an occupational injury or illness. Janitors may also face barriers to reporting an injury to their employer, such as fear of consequences.    Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

If a Janitor is concerned about their employment situation if they claim a work injury, it is important for them to seek legal counsel to discuss their concerns to make a determination as to whether they should file the claim.

What if I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

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