Columnist Weighs In on Teacher Mental Injuries

Monday, May 20, 2019 | 0

Although a North Dakota lawmaker has suggested that teachers in the state sue their school districts over mental health conditions that arise from work, an opinion column published last week disagrees with that approach.

“The problem is, teachers who take on their employers to get compensated for something like anxiety or PTSD might end up worsening their symptoms just by the stress of having to battle it out in court,” Larry Alton wrote in the American Thinker. “Worse, they could be retaliated against pending the outcome of the case, and that possibility will deter many from initiating a claim.”

Incidents of students attacking school staff are reportedly becoming more frequent, causing anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder among some teachers.

In light of the trend, state Rep. Marvin Nelson, D-Rolla, suggested that teachers sue their school districts because the North Dakota workers’ comp system covers only physical injuries.

Alton said in his opinion column that more lawsuits would simply clog the court system.

“If anyone can get emotional injuries recognized as valid injuries deserving of compensation, it's going to be schoolteachers,” he wrote.