Emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, ambulance drivers, and other emergency personnel work every day to help others. They save lives, but in doing so are often put in dangerous situations. EMTs may be injured in traffic accidents on their way to or from the scene of an injury, or they may suffer harm if assaulted by a patient they are trying to help. The circumstances may vary, but the result is the same: the EMT is now injured and facing an uncertain, unstable future.
EMTs and other first responders may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for on-the-job injuries, but recovering such benefits is far from easy. Claims may be undervalued, delayed, or denied. Workers’ comp may also not provide full coverage for lost wages, and it typically does not cover emotional trauma. A skilled Maryland EMT injury attorney can offer guidance in navigating the workers’ compensation system and looking for other sources of compensation, such as a personal injury lawsuit.
Find out more about your right to compensation – contact us at (301) 932-9997 for a free consultation with a skilled professional at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers.
Leading Causes of EMT Injuries
According to the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, nearly 10% of EMTs and paramedics in the U.S. are absent from work at any given time due to work-related injuries or illnesses. For the general public, this rate is typically around 1.3%. Safety measures are in place to prevent such injuries, but they are not infallible and are sometimes ignored or improperly implemented.
Common causes of EMT and paramedic injuries and illnesses include:
- Exposure to blood-borne pathogens
- Lifting/moving patients
- Aggressive and violent patients
- Ambulance accidents
If you are experiencing an illness or injury as a result of your work as a paramedic or EMT, you and your family deserve to receive fair compensation. Let the Maryland injury lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers fight for your rights. We know the law and how it applies to emergency personnel, and we will take all appropriate actions to maximize your recovery.