Our Attorneys Help Injured Police and Firefighters Obtain Benefits 

Our police and firefighters play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. Unfortunately, these first responders face a tremendous amount of risk on a daily basis, risks that include severe injuries and serious illnesses. Just like any other worker, a firefighter or police officer who is unable to work is quickly facing a financial crisis. If you’ve found yourself facing that situation, a Columbus police and firefighters workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get the benefits you need to pay your bills and take care of your family. 

Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?

In order to receive benefits, injured police and firefighters need to meet the following criteria:

• You suffered an injury or illness while on the job; and 
• You are not able to work due to your injury or illness.

This sounds very straightforward, but can be complicated depending on the nature of your illness or injury. Proving that your illness or injury is work-related can be difficult in many cases, especially when it comes to illnesses or repetitive use injuries. That said, don’t assume that it will be obvious that your illness or injury prevents you from working – you will need to prove both elements when you submit your claim. A Columbus police and firefighter’s workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the claim process so that you can get your benefits as quickly as possible. 

Common Injuries Among Police and Firefighters

Police and firefighters face the same potential injuries and illnesses that others face. However, given the nature of their professions, police officers and firefighters also face extraordinary risks that many other workers will never face. Here are some of the injuries and illnesses that may qualify for workers’ compensation: 

• Gunshot wounds
• Severe burns
• Lung damage due to smoke inhalation
• Respiratory illness due to exposure to toxic substances
• Musculoskeletal injuries due to violence
• Spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries
• Illness due to exposure to viral pathogens

Any of these injuries can leave you unable to work for an extended period of time and can even result in permanent disabilities. The sooner you contact a Columbus police and firefighters workers’ compensation lawyer, the sooner you can get the benefits you need to pay your bills and take care of your family. 

Special Rules Apply for Police and Firefighters

In most cases, workers’ compensation claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury. While we wouldn’t advise anyone to wait nearly that long, it’s worth noting that under Ohio law, police and firefighters have only one year from the date of their injury to file their claim. 

That said, we should also note that towns and other municipalities must provide workers’ compensation for any volunteer firefighters or auxiliary police. Even if you aren’t getting paid, you may still qualify for workers’ compensation. 

Contact A Columbus Police and Firefighter Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

The workers’ compensation attorneys at Malek & Malek have decades of experience in helping injured workers navigate the workers’ compensation system. If you’re an injured firefighter or police officer, contact a Columbus police and firefighter workers’ compensation lawyer at Malek & Malek today to schedule a free consultation by calling 888-444-7440.