There are strong links between heart attacks and work. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has an excellent page with many links to various articles on this topic. (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heartdisease/)
The American Institute for Stress states that “Numerous studies show that job stress is far and away the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades.” (https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress/)
In fact, in California, some jobs are considered to be so stressful that any type of heart trouble is presumed to be work related. (See Labor Code 3212.)
Considering the fact that stress is a major factor in heart attacks and other heart trouble, a workers’ compensation claim should always be considered when an employee suffers a heart attack.
Workers’ Compensation benefits can provide you with many things that normal health insurance can not, including temporary disability, permanent disability and vocational retraining. In addition, expanded health benefits can include transportation, home health care and other benefits that are not covered by normal health insurance.
If you or a loved one has had a heart attack and is employed, contact Silberman & Lam, LLP to determine if you have a potential workers’ compensation case.