New Jersey police officers injured at station

Some jobs are just innately more risky than others. Police work is clearly a job which a high risk level. Although both the employee and employer are aware of the risks, this does not alter the right of employees to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Such benefits are crucial not only for the recovery of the injured worker but also for the employer, who has an interest in keeping all employees healthy, working and productive.

A recent incident at a New Jersey police station wounded three officers. A man who had been arrested overpowered an officer when his handcuffs were released for processing.

All three officers were wounded and transported to the hospital for treatment after the man successfully discharged the officer’s gun multiple times. One officer was shot in the foot, another officer was shot in his duty belt and the third officer was shot multiple times and underwent emergency surgery for a gunshot wound to the abdomen; the bulletproof vest he was wearing saved his life.

The three injured officers will be out of work while they recover. Costs such as medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation and pain and suffering should be paid by workers’ compensation. The benefits paid will not only assist the injured officers with bills that have accumulated from the incident but also help them with a speedy recovery so they can return to work. Since the officers are government workers and are likely a part of a union, they may be entitled to other benefits as well depending on their employment contracts.

It is always important to implement health and safety procedures in the workplace, but it is just important to make the employees aware of the heightened risks of their career. Proper training and education can lower the risk of workplace injury, but sometimes the risk of injury is just a part of the job and cannot always be avoided.

Source: Associated Press, “3 officers injured, gunman dead after NJ police station shooting” Dec 29, 2013