Harrisburg Police Officer Injury Lawyer
Police officers face a number of hazards on the job. From violence and traffic collisions, to overuse injuries and trip and fall accidents during foot chases, cops have one of the most dangerous occupations. In fact, the rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 police officers is 13.7. Just to get an idea of just how much more dangerous working as a police officer is than the average job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate for all occupations is just 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers. If you suffered a workplace injury as a police officer, you may be entitled to a number of different types of compensation, and our Harrisburg police officer injury lawyers at Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. are here to help ensure that your compensation is maximized.
Common Types of Injuries Police Officers Face
Injuries sustained from violence and injuries during arrests:
- Gunshot wounds;
- Stab or laceration wounds from a blade;
- Concussions;
- Neck and back injuries;
- Contusions; and
- Fractures.
Injuries sustained from motor vehicle collisions, including injuries sustained by police officers as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist:
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Whiplash;
- Fractures;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Lacerations, contusions, and permanent scarring; and
- More.
Injuries sustained from other types of accidents and overuse incidents:
- Ankle sprains and fractures from slip and falls;
- Wrists fractures;
- Heat exhaustion;
- Hypothermia;
- Burns;
- Chronic back and/or neck pain;
- Carpal tunnel syndrome;
- Runner’s knee;
- Tennis elbow;
- Torn rotator cuff; and
- Bulging or herniated disc.
Medical and Wage Replacement Benefits
As an officer injured on the job, or if you become sick or injured over time due to your line of work, you are entitled to full medical expenses and partial wage replacement of up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages. This financial wage replacement can be in the form of:
- Temporary partial wage replacement (you are able to do some work and the injury is temporary);
- Temporary total wage replacement (you are temporarily unable to perform any work);
- Permanent partial wage replacement (you are permanently disabled but can complete some of your duties); and
- Permanent total wage replacement (you are permanently disabled and cannot perform any of your job duties).
Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act
Pennsylvania’s Heart and Lung Act makes it possible for police officers to receive full compensation for certain short-term injuries and illnesses that were caused on the job. Under the Act, an injured officer can be compensated for their full salary, as opposed to partial wage replacement, if they are unable to perform their job.
Contact a Harrisburg Police Officer Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Even public servants, including police officers, are not automatically approved for benefits following a workplace injury or illness. To ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages, you must file a personal injury claim with the help of an experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorney. To get started today, call Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. at 717-238-1657 to schedule a free consultation.