Earlier last month, two fire trucks collided while they were en route to respond to the same fire. Two fire trucks in New Jersey were rushing to put out a fire at an electronics store when the collision occurred. As a result of the crash, one fire truck ran into a tree, while the other ran into a grocery store. No bystanders or shoppers were injured in the crash, but eight firefighters were injured, and one remains in the hospital receiving treatment for injuries. It is unknown how or why exactly the collision occurred. Nearby fire departments pitched in to clear debris from the accident. The fire department has sent wishes for recovery to all affected officers but has not yet commented on the possible cause of the crash. It is not yet known if negligence or a possible vehicle malfunction could be responsible for having caused the accident.
Compensation for Injured Firefighters
If you are a firefighter who has been injured on the job or in an accident such as the one above, you may be wondering what steps to take to ensure that you can get the care and compensation that you need. Any firefighter who is an employee of the fire department is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits provide medical care and full or partial wage replacement in the event of a work-related illness or injury. However, this can be complicated because many firefighters are volunteers.
Does that mean that volunteer firefighters have to go without coverage? Thankfully, no. The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act extends the maximum amount of temporary benefits available through workers’ compensation to volunteer firefighters who are injured in the line of duty. That means that any firefighter injured in the accident above, or in any capacity related to their job, is eligible for workers’ compensation coverage.
To be injured in the line of duty means that you were injured while operating within the scope of your employment. This means that whatever you were doing was a job duty or for the benefit of your employer. If a firefighter was goofing off with a firehose against their supervisor’s orders and injured themselves, this may not fall within the scope of employment since it was not a job duty or for the benefit of the firefighter’s employer.
If you are a firefighter who was injured in the line of duty and you are struggling to get the compensation that you are entitled to, contact a New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney to get help obtaining the benefits that you are legally entitled to. While workers’ compensation does preclude employees from bringing lawsuits against their employers for work-related injuries, it does not stop you from getting an attorney to help you get the best possible workers’ compensation settlement. The workers’ compensation insurance process can be difficult to navigate, particularly when you are not classified as an employee, so having a lawyer to help you navigate the process can be a huge advantage when it comes to getting the coverage you need.
Bystander Injuries
If you are a bystander or passenger in another vehicle involved in a collision with a firetruck or other vehicles, you may be wondering who to turn to for help. A personal injury attorney can help you bring a claim to recover for injuries suffered in vehicle-fire truck collisions. If you were not at fault for the accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for it, but that does not always mean it is a straightforward process to determine who should.
A personal injury attorney will review the facts of the case, determine who is liable for causing the accident, and help you to pursue compensation from the responsible party and their insurance provider. Often you will not even have to bring the matter to court and will be able to settle it through insurance. However, we will proceed to court if necessary to get you the compensation that you need to be made whole again following the accident. If you have been injured as the result of a multi-vehicle accident or fire truck accident, contact a New Jersey personal injury lawyer today to learn more about your options.
Contact Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC, Located in Westfield, New Jersey
If you are a firefighter who has suffered an injury in the line of duty, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The experienced personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm in Westfield, New Jersey, are ready to fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
