Madison County Police Officer Injury Lawyer

Madison County Police Officer Injury Attorney

When police officers are injured on the job, most are covered by workers’ compensation laws, like any employee who was hurt while working. If you work in law enforcement and were injured, consulting a Madison County police officer injury attorney can help you obtain the benefits you need to recover. They can also help you explore other avenues to obtain further benefits.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act covers nearly all employees, providing them with the right to receive coverage for medical costs and lost income from a work-related injury, regardless of whether another party was to blame for the accident. These laws cover many professions, including the most dangerous, like agricultural work, and jobs where employees typically assume no risk at work.

First responders, including police officers, assume high risks as they complete their duties, particularly when arriving first at the scene of an accident or disaster. The daily work of these professions can also cause injury in non-emergency situations. Due to this higher risk, state laws provide additional benefits for police officers and other public servants.

If you are a police officer injured in the line of duty, you may be able to earn more than one type of compensation. The state may also be able to help if you were injured while not on the job. The system of applying for benefits can frequently be complex, and it’s useful to work with a Madison County police officer injury attorney to get the maximum benefits you need.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation for Police Officer Injuries

Throughout most of Illinois, police officers are covered under the state’s workers’ compensation laws. The only exceptions are public servants, including law enforcement officers, who work in cities with populations over 500,000, which includes Chicago employees. Officers in any other location in the state, including Madison County, have coverage under workers’ comp laws. Workers’ compensation benefits depend on the type and severity of the injury an employee sustains, and they may include:

• All medical costs associated with the injury
• A portion of lost wages during recovery
• A portion of lost earning capacity
• Vocational retraining
• Rehabilitative and long-term care

Workers’ compensation benefits also provide death benefits for the families of employees who are killed during their job duties.

Police officers and their families may also receive other benefits through state programs. An attorney can review your unique injury and situation to determine what benefits you are eligible for as a public servant and first responder.

Other Benefits Available for Madison County Police Officers

State laws give additional protections for first responders and public service employees. These benefits were created in response to the mental and physical requirements of those professions.

These benefits include:

The Illinois Pension Code

Under the Illinois Pension Code, first responders have specific protections if they are disabled or injured. If the employee is unable to return to work due to their injury or disability, they receive a percentage of their salary. A first responder does not have to prove that the injury was caused by their job duties to receive these pension benefits.

The Public Employee Disability Act

The Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA) provides non-Chicago public service employees with substantial financial protection. Qualifying employees can receive their full salary for up to 1 year. PEDA benefits also include protection against losing sick leave, paid time off, and other accrued benefits.

Workers’ compensation benefits typically provide ⅔ wages for employees, making PEDA benefits significant financial protection. These benefits extend to:

• Police officers
• Firefighters
• Corrections officers
• Department of Human Services employees
• Staff at state mental health facilities

To qualify for PEDA benefits, a public service employee must be injured in the line of duty. They must also not return to work while they receive these benefits, and they cannot apply for other benefits.

The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act

The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA) provides employer-funded healthcare insurance for first responders and their families if the employee suffers a catastrophic injury or fatality in certain situations. The employee’s children receive these benefits until they turn 18 or until they turn 25 if they are still dependents or in school until that age. If the first responder dies, their surviving spouse retains healthcare coverage until they remarry.

The employee must have incurred the catastrophic injury on the job, caused by one of these circumstances:

1. In response to fresh pursuit
2. In response to a reasonably assumed emergency
3. An unlawful action by another individual
4. During the investigation of criminal activity

Police officers, firefighters, and correctional probation officers may qualify for PSEBA benefits. The sustained injury must be so catastrophic that it prevents the employee from seeking gainful employment or engaging in typical daily tasks and functions.

How Can a Police Officer Injury Attorney Help?

Due to the many benefits available to first responders and public employees, it can be confusing for injured officers to determine what they should apply for. A seasoned attorney has experience with the state and federal laws and how they apply to your unique situation. They can review your injury and employment to determine which benefits maximize the compensation you deserve.

You may be able to file a personal injury claim or workers’ compensation claim, depending on the circumstances of your injury. An experienced attorney can help calculate the damages you should be awarded in a claim and negotiate for fair and complete coverage of your damages.

Whether you are filing a claim or applying for benefits, an attorney can help you compile evidence, structure your filing, and meet essential legal deadlines. If you are denied, an attorney can manage the appeals process or find another route for compensation. The process can be more efficient and more likely to succeed with a qualified Madison County attorney.

Contact a Qualified Madison County Police Injury Lawyer

When you are injured as a law enforcement officer, you need to work with an attorney who has experience with personal injury claims, workers’ compensation, and the benefits relevant to first responders. Law enforcement officers take on significant risks at their work, and Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, wants to provide officers with the legal support they need when injured.

Our team provides you with the respect you deserve, and we are ready to review your situation. We can then determine the benefits you need to apply for and how to effectively maximize your compensation. Contact our firm today.