From accidents, medical emergencies, and structure fires to terrorist attacks, crimes, and disasters, California’s first responders are among the first individuals to arrive at the scene of an emergency and assist those who need help. First responders typically include law enforcement officials, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Unfortunately, those who work as first responders are repeatedly exposed to serious on-the-job risks that most other Americans don’t. As a result, we treat our first responders as heroes who risk their own lives to protect the rest of us.
The work-related injuries that California first responders sustain can result in expensive medical bills lost wages, and, in many cases, end the first responder’s career as they know it. When a first responder is killed on the job, family members left behind often face many emotional and financial challenges.
Thankfully, California workers’ compensation law gives certain additional protections to first responders and other public safety employees who are killed or injured on the job. This post will outline the most common risks faced by California’s first responders based on their job duties.
Injury Risks Faced by California Law Enforcement Officials
California law enforcement officials, including sheriff’s deputies, police officers, and others, face the risk of severe injury and death at work. Some of the most common workplace injuries that California law enforcement officials face include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Injuries from firearms and other weapons
- Slip and fall accidents
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Burns
- Overexertion
Injury Risks Faced by California Firefighters
Just like police officers, firefighters in California are putting their own lives in jeopardy every time they respond to an emergency. From California wildfires, structure fires, and hazardous spill responses to disaster relief and search-rescue operations, firefighters have many duties that put them at risk of injury.
Common work-related injuries faced by California firefighters include:
- Burns
- Smoke inhalation
- Falls
- Explosions
- Chemical Exposure
- Lacerations
- Extreme Weather
- Cuts
- Thermal Stress
- Animal attacks
Injury Risks Faced by EMTs and Paramedics
Paramedics and EMTs are specially-trained professionals who provide critical emergency medical care to individuals in an emergency. In addition, EMTs provide lifelines to injured people on their way to the hospital.
At work, EMTs and paramedics are faced with a variety of injury risks, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Air accidents
- Disease exposure
- Slip and fall accidents
- Overexertion
Available Options for Injured First Responders in California
Even knowing that they face a severe threat of injury or death while on the clock, California first responders continue to serve the community daily. When a California first responder gets injured or dies in the line of duty, they have a right to workers’ comp benefits.
Navigating the California workers’ comp claims process isn’t easy. If you or a loved one has been injured while working as a first responder in California, let the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys from Aoudi Law help. Our team has the experience necessary to ensure that first responders injured on the job get the compensation they deserve.
From police officers and firefighters to EMTs and paramedics, the California workers’ compensation specialists from the team at Aoudi Law have extensive experience representing the state’s first responders. Whether you are just starting the workers’ compensation claims process or if your employer’s insurance company has denied your workers’ compensation claim, the professional staff at Aoudi Law are here to help. We are experts in California workers’ compensation law. We can help you and your family understand what options might be available to seek compensation for an on-the-job injury.
Call or text 714-769-8706 today for a free consultation.
