Can a Stroke Be Work-Related? What California Workers Need to Know

You may not even realize it — but your job could have played a major role in your stroke.

According to a 2023 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability among adults and the second most common cause of death worldwide. And yet, strokes caused by work — especially due to long-term job stress or toxic exposures — are routinely overlooked in California workers’ compensation cases.

At Lee Partners Law, we’ve represented dozens of injured workers who suffered strokes because of cumulative trauma at work — and we’ve fought hard to get them the lifetime medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits they deserve.

How Work Can Cause a Stroke

In California, you don’t need a single event like a fall or collision to file a workers’ comp claim. Under Labor Code §3208.1, cumulative trauma — the result of repetitive stress or harmful exposure over time — qualifies as a work injury.

Here’s how common work conditions contribute to strokes:

• Chronic Job Stress

• Unrelenting pressure, unrealistic deadlines, poor work-life balance

• Linked to high blood pressure, heart strain, and chronic inflammation

Study of 138,782 workers: High-strain jobs increase ischemic stroke risk by 20%

• Long Working Hours

• Ongoing 10+ hour days or overnight shifts

• Leads to hormone disruption, poor sleep, and higher stroke risk

• Shift Work

• Working against your circadian rhythm disrupts hormonal balance and cognitive function

• Contributes to serious cardiovascular and neurological conditions

• Noise and Chemical Exposure

• Long-term exposure to industrial noise or solvents inflames the vascular system

• Increases likelihood of stroke over time

• Extreme Heat or Cold

• Outdoor workers (construction, agriculture, etc.) are at higher risk due to blood pressure spikes and dehydration

• Airborne Dust and Pollutants

• Inhaled particulates trigger systemic inflammation — a known stroke trigger

Types of Strokes

There are several types of strokes that may be caused by work-related conditions:

• Ischemic Stroke – Caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain (most common)

• Hemorrhagic Stroke – Caused by a burst blood vessel resulting in bleeding in the brain

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – A temporary “mini-stroke” that serves as a warning sign

• Intracerebral Hemorrhage – Bleeding directly into brain tissue, often severe

Psychiatric Injuries from Stroke

A stroke isn’t just physical — it can profoundly impact your mental health. Workers may also be entitled to compensation for secondary psychiatric injuries, including:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Post-stroke cognitive impairment

• PTSD

We often request Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) reports from psychologists or psychiatrists to fully document these injuries and secure compensation.

Stroke = Brain Injury: You May Qualify for Permanent Total Disability

Under Labor Code §4662(a)(4), certain injuries — including severe brain injuries — are presumed to result in permanent total disability (PTD).

If your stroke caused:

• Cognitive decline

• Severe communication issues

• Mobility limitations

• Dependence on others for daily care

…then you may qualify for lifetime disability payments. In some cases, we can even fight for 100% disability rating including life pension enhancements.

Benefits You May Be Entitled to After a Stroke at Work

If your stroke is determined to be work-related, you may qualify for:

• ✅ Temporary Disability Payments
  Up to two-thirds of your regular salary while you recover

• ✅ Full Medical Coverage for Life
  Includes hospitalization, rehab, prescriptions, transportation, and home modifications under Labor Code §4600

• ✅ Home Health Care
  If you can no longer care for yourself, you’re entitled to a home health aide or attendant care

• ✅ Permanent Disability Payments
  Based on AMA Guides rating — can be partial or lifetime (100% PTD) in severe cases

• ✅ Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher (SJDB)
  Up to $6,000 for education, retraining, computers, or job placement if you can’t return to your prior work

• ✅ Presumptive Permanent Total Disability
  For catastrophic brain injuries under Labor Code §4662(a)(4) — including stroke-related brain damage

• ✅ Life Pension Add-Ons
  In some cases, disability ratings above 70% can result in ongoing lifetime payments

• ✅ Death Benefits
  If the stroke is fatal, your dependents may receive up to $320,000 + $10,000 burial costs

How We Prove Your Stroke Was Work-Related

Strokes are high-dollar cases, and insurance companies will fight hard to deny them. At Lee Partners Law, we know how to build bulletproof stroke claims. We:

• Collect and review your full medical records and work history

• Retain qualified medical examiners (QMEs) in neurology, internal medicine, and psychology

• Prove cumulative trauma or exposure caused your stroke

• Fight for maximum benefits including lifetime disability

You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone

Even if your stroke didn’t happen at the job site, your job may still be the cause. If you're struggling with the aftermath of a stroke, you need attorneys who specialize in complex catastrophic cases.

David and Michael Lee have spent their entire careers handling stroke, heart attack, and brain injury claims throughout California. We know the law — and we know how to win.

📞 Call Today for a Free Consultation

No fees unless we win. Call or Text (310)295 0822 or CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US.
Serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Riverside, Fresno San Diego, and all of California.

Pain That Built Up Over Time? You May Have a Cumulative Trauma Claim — Lee Partners Law