Every day, firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to help protect the safety and property of the general public. We rely on them to rescue us from burning buildings, put out dangerous grass fires, provide emergency medical care and rescue efforts at scenes of car accidents, and perform a huge variety of various other public service functions. In doing these things, firefighters encounter a vast number of occupational risks. Unfortunately, when a firefighter falls victim to one of these dangers, they sometimes have difficulty receiving the workers’ compensation that is necessary for them to make a full recovery from their injuries.

Firefighting is generally placed on lists of the most dangerous careers one can pursue. The list of possible sources of injury to firefighters is even longer than the list of jobs they are expected to perform in their line of work. The obvious dangers of burns and smoke inhalation suffered while fighting the flames of fires are only the beginning. When entering a burning building with sacrificed structural integrity, firefighters can easily fall victim to collapsing roofs or walls. The responsibilities away from fires also bring potential for serious injury. When a firefighter is on the side of the road tending to a car accident, they may be hit and gravely hurt by a distracted motorist.

The issue of workers’ compensation for firefighters can sometimes be confused by the fact that many areas have a force of volunteer firefighters. This means things can be unclear when a volunteer is missed and must take time to recuperate from injuries, but does not have a regular wage for which to be compensated. Different fire departments have differing workers’ compensation plans in general, so it can be difficult to find specific and valid information if the department is being uncooperative in informing an injured worker of their options.

When a firefighter suffers a serious injury, they will likely rely on workers’ compensation to help their family get by in the time they are required to miss from work. If adequate compensation does not come, the missed income and high costs of medical bills and medication can easily land a person’s family in a financial crisis. If a firefighter is having trouble getting the compensation their employer is responsible for providing, an experienced attorney may be able to help the victim explore their legal options.

For more information about workers’ compensation issues, visit the website of Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams. P.C.