Police officers are first responders with jobs that expose them to many hazards. They may spend most of their day in a patrol vehicle, putting them at elevated risk of a car crash. They have to deal with individuals in the middle of criminal activity or mental health challenges, which can lead to volatile conduct. They may find themselves in unsafe scenarios and may need to act for the safety of others.
Injuries can be the fault of another party or even a result of being in an unsafe environment. If a police officer gets hurt on the job, they may have to take time away from work. In fact, they may sometimes become incapable of continuing their law enforcement career.
Can a police officer who gets hurt on the job secure workers’ compensation benefits to cover their injury-related losses?
First responders have essential protection
Workers’ compensation coverage rules apply to employees in both the private and public sectors. Technically, police officers work for and represent the state. They are still eligible for workers’ compensation benefits even though they don’t work in the private sector.
To obtain benefits, a police officer has to establish that their medical condition directly relates to their job responsibilities. An officer injured in the car crash or hurt by a criminal fleeing the scene of a crime can potentially qualify for benefits to cover their medical care costs and replace their lost wages until they can return to work.
Even mental health conditions could qualify for workers’ compensation coverage. State courts have ruled in favor of first responders in need of coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder. The need for a qualifying injury was the basis of the rejected claim, but the courts found that a severe, traumatizing incident on the job could allow a professional to qualify for workers’ compensation.
In some cases, such as scenarios involving repetitive strain disorders developed due to driving all day, workers may have a more challenging claims process ahead of them. Mental health claims after witnessing a tragedy or experiencing a trauma can also be more difficult to navigate.
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits is a reasonable reaction to an on-the-job injury. Police officers, like other first responders, are typically eligible for benefits if they get hurt at work.