Michigan Workers' Comp Defense Blog
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to provide general legal information. This article does not provide mental health or medical advice and is NOT a substitute for professional therapy or mental health services. If you or someone you know is expecting suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please seek immediate help by contacting the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
In recent years, mental health issues and suicide have become increasingly prevalent among Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis. According to a CDC survey from June 2020, the pandemic has “considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions” in U.S adults. Data from the survey indicates that 42 percent of essential workers reported struggling with anxiety and/or depression. Most notably, 11 percent of all respondents seriously considered suicide within the preceding 30 days.
Overall, studies have shown that suicides related to workplace issues are on the rise, and the cause is often increased workplace stress and excessive workloads. Under what circumstances should the family of a worker who takes his or her own life be awarded workers’ compensation benefits? Below, we discuss a recent instructive case from Pennsylvania followed by an overview of how Michigan law handles this increasingly important issue.
