Police Officer in on-duty Crash May Need Workers’ Compensation

Workplace accidents with injuries can happen to Arizona residents in any kind of job. Some jobs require people to place themselves in situations that are considered dangerous as part of their duties. This can result in accidents with long-term ramifications. Among the most treacherous jobs are those done by first responders. When these individuals are injured in an accident, it is important to understand how to get workers’ compensation benefits.

Police officer hurt in car accident while on duty

A veteran police officer was hit by a car and critically injured when he stopped his vehicle to remove a ladder from the roadway. The accident happened in the mid-morning at around 11 a.m. When he saw the ladder, he activated the lights on his patrol vehicle and was exiting when an SUV rear-ended his. The patrol car was sent across the lanes and the SUV flipped. The female driver of the SUV was also seriously injured. The officer was brought to the hospital here he was said to be in critical condition. The investigation into the circumstances of the accidents are continuing.

Workers’ compensation can cover for wages and more

If any worker is injured on the job, there can be medical expenses and lost income from being unable to work. People who rely on their paychecks can find themselves facing immense challenges if their injuries prevent them from doing their jobs. Even if they are covered for a certain amount of time, that might be limited and they will be confronted with an uncertain future. Medical costs are also a problem. Often, those who are hurt on the job end up disagreeing with the employer or the insurer as to how severe their injuries are and the length of time they will be off the job. This can be true even with major injuries like broken bones, head trauma, back injuries and more.

First responders should be cognizant of how to get workers’ compensation

Given the apparent severity of the injuries suffered by the police officer in this accident, it may take a significant amount of time before he can consider getting back to work even if he makes a remarkable recovery. If he is unable to return to the condition he was in before and is needed to perform the duties of being a law enforcement officer, making ends meet and covering for the medical expenses for treatment and aftercare will be difficult. To maximize benefits, it may be imperative to consult with a law firm experienced in all types of workers’ compensation cases. This is the first step to take to get an approval.