People who choose careers as first responders often want to have a positive impact on their communities. They start their careers with the hope of fighting criminal activity, protecting people in emergencies and saving lives. Police officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics and firefighters work long hours in demanding circumstances to support the communities where they live.
Unfortunately, their professional calling sometimes has negative personal consequences. Individuals working as first responders are exposed to many types of hazards. They have to deal with people in unstable situations, such as those who have consumed mind-altering drugs. They may have to extricate people from car crashes with traffic flying past them on the freeway. They even run into burning buildings.
First responders are at significant risk of workplace injury and death. What do first responders need to know about workers’ compensation benefits?
First responders are eligible for benefits
Provided that a first responder sustains an injury on the job or has an illness related to their employment, they may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. An injured first responder can receive full medical coverage for any necessary treatment that they have to receive for their injury or illness.
They may also be eligible for disability benefits. If they require a leave of absence while they recover or have to move to a lower-paid job, disability benefits can help. Those benefits are available for both state employees working for government entities and those working for private organizations, as is often the case with paramedics and EMTs.
Trauma-related benefits are available
Florida has actually enacted statutes expanding the protection available to first responders. Given the risk of experiencing a traumatic incident on the job, state statutes help streamline the benefits process for first responders who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If they face an attack by an individual, witness the death of a minor or respond to shocking homicide scenes, then they may be able to pursue workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD symptoms. While other workers may face an uphill battle seeking workers’ compensation for PTSD, first responders may receive more compassionate treatment when they can’t work because of traumatic previous experiences. They can qualify for benefits even if they didn’t sustain a physical injury.
Trying to handle the red tape of a workers’ compensation claim while recovering from injuries or trauma is difficult. Injured first responders may need help filing a claim or overcoming temporary setbacks.