If you work as a police officer, it's always possible that you could suffer from an injury while performing your standard job duties.
When this occurs, you’ll likely have the ability to file a claim related to your workers’ compensation policy. While these policies are similar to the ones that civilians are provided with, there are some key differences that you should be aware of before filing a claim.
What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is designed to provide compensation for police officers who have been injured while on duty. While most workers’ compensation claims that are filed pertain to injuries, they also extend to any illness that developed while at work. The main types of compensation that are provided with a successful claim include compensation for medical bills and compensation for any lost wages. In return for being able to obtain compensation for your work injuries, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit against your employer. If you want to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve, it’s highly recommended that you retain the services of a workers’ compensation lawyer. An attorney in this field will be able to help you effectively navigate the claims process.
Common Injuries
While police officers can suffer from a wide array of injuries and illnesses while on the job, likely the most common injury is hypertension, which typically occurs due to the buildup of stress and is commonly referred to as high blood pressure. While this injury isn’t covered by standard workers’ compensation policies, it is often covered in the policies that are provided to police officers since being a police officer is considered to be a high stress job.
Some of the other risks that police officers face on a regular basis include physical attacks, car accidents, exposure to harmful chemicals, and overexertion injuries, all of which are covered by workers’ compensation. If a police officer has died because of their injuries, the immediate family of the officer may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim as a means of obtaining compensation for funeral costs and similar expenses.
Unique Aspects of Workers' Compensation for Police Officers
Workers’ compensation policies for police officers differ substantially from the ones provided to civilians. Police officers may be able to receive full wages when out of work because of their injuries. On the other hand, civilians are only able to receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage. You should also know that law enforcement officers have access to second-tier rates for any disabilities that occur while on duty. These higher rates allow you as an officer to receive higher amounts of compensation for certain injuries. To avoid any issues when filing your workers’ compensation claim, you should seek advice from a workers’ compensation attorney who knows what they’re doing and can help you fill out your claim.
