Compensation for emergency services workers
Emergency Services Injury Compensation Claims
Police officers, paramedics and firefighters spend their days keeping people safe, catching criminals and patrolling the streets to prevent crime. These professionals play an extremely important role in society. They also put themselves at risk every day because of the inherently dangerous nature of their jobs.
If you work in the police, ambulance or fir services and you sustain injury on the job, you may have costly medical expenses and be unable to return to your work. In the event that a tragic death occurs, family members left behind may face financial and emotional challenges.
Common types of emergency services accidents and injuries include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Emergency service professionals often face traumatic situations where they are exposed to natural disasters, accidents, sexual and physical assaults, shootings, death, or face threats to their own life. As a result, police and emergency services workers have elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts and actions.
Injuries related to being assaulted
Police officers and paramedics can come under attack in many situations while working to protect the community.
Car accidents on the job
Excessive travel is a reality when you're a police officer or paramedic. Whether travelling to and from work, or on-patrol during duty - the longer you're in a car, the more likely you are to be injured in an accident.
Lifting or carrying people
Being a paramedic, police office or fire fighter may involve removing, lifting or carrying people from precauoius positions. This can lead to back and other related injuries.
NSW Emergency Services Workers Entitlements
Emergency workers including Police Officers, Fire Fighters and Paramedics are exempt from the workers compensation changes made in NSW during July 2012 and are still able to gain generous payouts.
Their entitlements generally include the following:
- Payments of reasonable medical expenses incurred as a result of the work-related injury;
- Weekly compensation payments during any periods of partial or total incapacity;
- Lump sum claims for impairment and in some circumstances, a further lump sum for pain and suffering.
Medical Expenses
Obligation of the worker include the following:
- Seek appropriate medical treatment through guidance of a nominated treating doctor usually a General Practitioner;
- Treatment required should be included in the ongoing medical certificates;
- Any specialised treatment should be requested from the insurer for pre-approval for example, physiotherapy, specialist consultation, radiology. The GP to provide a written reference for this;
- Seek pre-approval from the insurer for any additional proposals made by the physiotherapist or specialist.
Weekly Compensation
Obligation of the worker include the following:
- Obtain ongoing medical certificates from your nominated treating doctor supporting incapacity. The medical certificates are to be obtained on an ongoing basis.
- If you are partially incapacitated other criteria apply.
Lump Sum Benefits
- A worker is entitled to lump sum benefits depending on the level of impairment.
- If the impairment is agreed by the insurer or determined by an Approved Medical Specialist to be 10% whole person impairment or more, a further lump sum benefit for pain and suffering is also payable.
Firths specialise Emergency Services workers' compensation claims, so call us now on 1800 631 888 for a free workers' compensation claim assessment.
