First Responders
First responders are comprised of EMTs, fire fighters and police officers. These are the ones entrusted to help save lives and maintain order. However, the job comes with inherent risks and could lead to injuries sustained while in the line of duty. LEIP Law represents first responders who have been injured on the job and are pursuing worker’s compensation benefits.
Workers’ Comp Benefits
There is a broad range of injuries that could impact first responders. That includes everything from burns, to slip and falls to the contraction of an illness. While the risk is high with these important jobs, workers’ compensation benefits are readily available. But getting those benefits often requires the assistance of a lawyer to ensure the utmost compensation is paid out. Here is a look at some of the benefits first responders can expect to receive:
- Lost wages
- Paid medical bills
- Disfigurement and loss of limbs
- Permanent disability
- Death benefits and funeral costs
- Transportation costs for medical visits
First responder duties expose workers to all types of dangerous situations. Some injuries may not be severe right away, but intensify over the course of time. That is why any type of injury should be checked out by a health care professional. Documenting every injury, even minor ones, helps a great deal when filing a first responder workers’ compensation claim, in Columbia, SC.
When it comes to mental health issues resulting from job-related stress in South Carolina, those conditions need to accompany a physical injury in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, efforts are being made to change that in favor of first responders who suffer from PTSD and ongoing trauma not related to a physical injury.
Common Claims Mistakes
It is important to know how to file a first responder worker compensation claim, although it is equally important to know what not to do. There are several types of mistakes that can prove to be a hindrance in receiving workers’ compensation in Columbia, SC. Here is a look at some of the common mistakes that are made when filing a workers’ compensation claim:
- Failing to report an accident
- Not hiring a workers’ compensation attorney
- Disregarding doctor’s orders
- Rushing return to work
- Agreeing to inaccurate disability rating
- Waiting to submit a claim
If you are a first responder in Columbia, SC that Has been injured on the job, the team at LEIP Law will be proud to represent you on your way to getting the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
First Responders Job Risks
Those who work as first responders head to work facing risks that not many jobs entail. There is a known risk and the physical dangers alone are not the only challenge on a typical workday. There is a plethora of issues that could face first responders as their work life is unlike many others. Here is a look at some of the conditions that are common in first responders.
- Trouble sleeping and recurring nightmares
- Emotional detachment
- Continued irritability and shortness of temper
- Proclivity to use substances as coping mechanism
- Bouts of depression and anxiety
- Behavior that is considered self-destructive
All of these conditions can be a direct result of what first responders experience in their daily work routines. A buildup of these events can render first responders unable to perform their duties. That could lead to time off and when that occurs, it is important to get workers’ compensation benefits. Since first responders take on dangerous and troubling job duties, they are treated with a certain level of care. They should also be afforded the proper treatment when needed. That could also mean psychological treatment to deal with the rigors of their daily regimen.
Physical Injury Workers’ Comp Claims
The dangers of working as a first responder present the chance for physical injuries during every shift. Firefighters are subject to burns, falls, and other injuries sustained in a fire. Police officers are always at risk of attack at the hands of a criminal. They run the risk of getting shot, stabbed, and beaten on a regular basis. EMTs also run great risk as they are in close quarters with people suffering from all types of ailments. These first responders could conceivably end their shift with a vast array of physical injuries. These injuries could prevent them from returning to work and that would call for the filing of a worker’s compensation claim.
First responders should also realize that there is always a chance their claim could be denied. But they are allowed to appeal and having a workers’ compensation lawyer by their side can help this process along. LEIP Law can handle all the specifics of a first responder claim and make sure that every step is followed accordingly. There is a lot of paperwork involved and our lawyers can ease the burden of first responders by handling all the nuances of those claims.
