First Responder Injury Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA

Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders in Pittsburgh face extreme dangers every day to protect and serve their communities. Not only are these jobs inherently dangerous, but they also can take a significant cumulative toll. Work-related injuries among first responders can have catastrophic consequences, including substantial lost income, expensive medical bills, and a sharp drop in quality of life.

If you work as a first responder in Pittsburgh and have sustained an on-the-job injury, Ainsman Levine can help. Our Pittsburgh workplace injury lawyers have served the community for over 30 years by providing affordable, high-quality legal representation to all who need it. We’ll handle all the legal work in your case and explore all possible avenues for recovering compensation, including a workers’ compensation claim and any possible personal injury claims against third parties. We offer free consultations to new clients, so call (412) 338-9030 now or complete our contact form to learn more.

Risks First Responders Face in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s first responders put their lives on the line to protect city residents and the communities they live in. Some common dangers that first responders face on the job include:

  • Physical Injuries: First responders frequently face physical risks such as sprains, fractures, and burns. For example, police officers and firefighters often engage in heavy lifting. They may suffer muscle strains or falls while responding to emergencies.
  • Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Firefighters and paramedics frequently encounter toxic chemicals, smoke, and biohazards on the job. Prolonged exposure can cause respiratory problems, chemical burns, or chronic conditions like lung disease and cancer.
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances often move through busy streets at high speeds when responding to emergencies. These situations increase the likelihood of collisions, leading to severe injuries for first responders and others on the road.
  • Violence and Assault: Law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel frequently respond to volatile situations, putting them at risk for physical assaults. Handling domestic violence calls, protests, or unstable individuals can result in severe physical injuries or long-term emotional trauma.
  • Overexertion and Fatigue: Responding to emergencies requires strenuous physical activity, often under high-stress conditions. Long shifts, heavy gear, and adrenaline can cause fatigue, muscle strains, and exhaustion-related mistakes.
  • Fires and Explosions: Firefighters regularly face life-threatening dangers like structural collapses, smoke inhalation, and burns while battling fires. Explosions, chemical leaks, and backdrafts also pose severe hazards in fire rescue situations.
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls: Emergencies often take place in unsafe environments like wet or icy roads or damaged or burning structures. First responders risk joint injuries and severe head trauma in these conditions.
  • Psychological Trauma: First responders regularly witness traumatic events, such as fatalities, severe injuries, and natural disasters. Prolonged exposure to these situations can lead to mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
  • Infectious Disease Exposure: Emergency medical personnel face heightened risks of bloodborne illnesses, viruses, and other infections when providing care. Accidental needle sticks or contact with bodily fluids can pose life-altering health risks.
  • Hearing Loss: Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics often work near loud noises, such as emergency sirens, explosions, or heavy machinery. Over time, prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to significant hearing loss.
  • Equipment-Related Injuries: Malfunctioning tools, faulty ladders, hydraulic equipment, or protective suits may fail during critical rescue operations and harm first responders.

Compensation for Injured First Responders in Pittsburgh

Injured firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and other first responders in Pittsburgh have three main options for recovering compensation. Those three categories are:

Workers’ Compensation Claims

Workers’ compensation is often the first option for injured first responders. Pennsylvania law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to employees hurt while performing their duties.

The injury must have happened on the job or as a direct result of work-related activities. First responders do not need to prove that someone else was at fault to recover these benefits.

Potential compensation in a workers’ comp claim includes:

  • Medical Benefits: Covers necessary medical care related to your injuries, including doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: If the injury prevents you from working, you can receive wage-loss benefits, which are typically set at two-thirds of your average weekly pay (up to state limits).
  • Specific Loss Benefits: Depending on the severity of your injury and whether you have any permanent impairment as a result, you may qualify for specific loss benefits.

Pennsylvania’s Heart and Lung Act

The Heart and Lung Act is a special law that provides additional benefits to certain first responders injured in the line of duty. It primarily applies to police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders working for municipalities or the state. Despite its name, the Heart and Lung Act applies to most work-related injuries first responders sustain, not just heart and lung injuries.

Your injury must be temporary but severe enough to prevent you from performing your job to qualify for compensation under the Heart and Lung Act. Unlike workers’ compensation, the Heart and Lung Act offers full pay during your recovery instead of partial wage benefits. The payments are tax-free, providing significant financial relief while you heal.

In addition to covering your lost wages, the Heart and Lung requires your employer to cover all medical expenses related to your injury. Once you recover and return to work, your Heart and Lung benefits stop. If your injury becomes permanent, you must turn to workers’ compensation or pursue other claims to seek compensation.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

If someone other than your employer caused your injury, you may have a third-party personal injury claim against them. For example, you may have cause for a third-party injury claim if:

  • A negligent driver causes a crash while you’re responding to an emergency.
  • A property owner fails to maintain safe conditions, leading to a fall or other accident while performing your job duties.
  • Defective equipment, such as a faulty ladder or protective gear, causes injuries.

In a third-party claim, you must prove that the other party was negligent and their actions directly caused your injury. Unlike workers’ compensation, these claims allow you to pursue compensation for:

  • Medical Costs: Covers all past and future medical expenses.
  • Lost Wages: Income lost during your recovery and potential future earnings if you can’t return to work.
  • Pain and Suffering: Provides compensation for your physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.

Key Deadlines in First Responder Injury Cases

Pennsylvania law requires that you report your injury to your employer within 21 days to preserve your workers’ compensation benefits and other benefits under the Heart and Lung Act. Note that reporting your injury is separate from submitting a formal workers’ compensation claim. If you don’t file a claim within three years of your injury, you lose your right to compensation.

It’s a similar story for third-party personal injury claims. If you don’t file a lawsuit against a potentially liable party within 2 years of your injury, the courts will most likely dismiss your case regardless of its merits

Talk to a Pittsburgh First Responder Injury Attorney Now

If you work as a first responder and sustained an on-the-job injury, Ainsman Levine is ready to help. Our team can evaluate all your options for recovering compensation, gather evidence to support your case, handle all the legal work, and deal with your employer and the insurance companies for you. We’ll keep you fully informed throughout the process and are always available to answer your questions. Call us now at (412) 338-9030 or complete our contact form for a free consultation.