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Police officers and firefighters are some of the bravest people among us— regularly putting themselves in harm’s way in order to protect, rescue and serve us. The Chicago work comp attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC believe that their courage and dedication entitles them to receive nothing but the highest quality of care when they are injured on the job. Fortunately, the law also provides special protections to those who put their health, bodies and lives on the line for us. If you are a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or other public worker who has been injured on duty, we can help you with your claim.
Police and Firefighter Claims May be More Complex
Many police officers and firefighters work additional jobs to be able to serve us while still supporting their families and their employers are often aware of these side jobs. If one of these individuals is injured while in the line of duty, it can impact his or her ability to return to either job, jeopardizing their financial health and ability to provide. When filing workers’ compensation claims, some public workers lose out on benefits because their side jobs are not considered at the time of filing.
Working for the city also ensures added bureaucracy and scrutiny from superiors when workers are injured and file claims. They often feel as if they are forced to jump through hoops before they can receive the compensation that they are entitled to. As Chicago faces steeper economic challenges, department heads are being pressured to reduce their departments’ liability and this can result in the unfair and illegal treatment of workers’ compensation claims.
If you or a family member was injured while working as a police or fireman, you are likely entitled to workers compensation benefits. Contact the workers compensation attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC for more information and a free review of your legal rights and options.
What are the Defined Rights of Injured Officers and Firefighters?
Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders were granted additional rights in 2008 when an Illinois Senate amendment to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act expanded the types of injuries that qualify for compensation to include any injury that results from contact with blood borne pathogens, lung and respiratory diseases, heart conditions, hypertension, hearing loss, hernias, tuberculosis and cancer. This is in addition to any other form of injury that can be the direct result of performing one’s duties. If you have suffered an injury on the job as a police officer or firefighter and need to know more about your rights, our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers are happy to answer your questions.
Following are rights that are granted to all workers who have been injured on the job.
- You may seek medical attention from whichever specialist you prefer and your employer must cover the entire cost of your treatment.
- You are entitled to receive two thirds of your wages during your rehabilitation. This also includes the value of the income you’ve lost from side jobs or a part time job.
- If your injury results in a permanent disability, you may receive additional compensation in a lump sum that is meant to provide for the value of your lost opportunities throughout the remainder of your life.
- You have the right to bring a lawsuit against any third parties that may be liable for your injuries. Examples of third party claims are claims filed against a driver who collides with the worker while he or she is on duty or an equipment manufacturer that produced defective machinery or protective equipment.
- The family of a police officer, firefighter or paramedic killed in the line of duty is entitled to receive benefits relative to the financial contribution the deceased made to his or her family.
