Phoenix Firefighter Workers Compensation Lawyer

Phoenix Firefighter Workers Compensation Attorney

Being a firefighter is one of the most noble, respected, and dangerous professions in the world. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save people who are in dire situations. Despite evolutions in safety procedures and protective equipment, firefighting is still quite dangerous, and firefighters are injured all the time. Thankfully, firefighters are still eligible for workers’ compensation in Arizona. Contact a Phoenix firefighter workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more.

The legal team at Arizona Injury Law Group can help you develop your case for workers’ comp benefits while you are able to focus on your recovery. Firefighters’ injuries can be particularly life-altering and devastating, depending on the situation that happened to them. It may not always be the result of a bad fire. Firefighters assist in non-fire-related emergency situations all the time, and those can cause injuries as well.

Common Work Injuries Sustained by Firefighters

Firefighters are at constant risk of sustaining serious injuries that could cost them their careers as firefighters. Arizona’s workers’ comp laws include firefighters, so long as they meet certain criteria regarding how their injury came about.

Under the state’s Presumptive Disability Law, firefighters’ injuries must’ve been sustained in the line of duty, particularly when it comes to certain health conditions like mesothelioma or various forms of cancer. Here are some common work injuries that firefighters sustain:

• Burn Injuries: It should come as no surprise that firefighters are often dealing with catastrophic burn injuries. A devastating burn can have permanent effects on the body, as well as on one’s emotional and mental health.
• Being badly burned can leave you with lasting trauma. Firefighters often deal with uncontrolled fires and unpredictable situations involving fire, so burns are commonplace. Depending on the degree, treatment can be an ordeal all its own.
• Muscle Strains: A part of being a firefighter that isn’t talked about enough is how heavy the equipment can be. They don’t go into a fire without first loading up on gear, some of which can be quite heavy and put a significant strain on the person wearing it. Moving certain muscles while also strained by heavy gear can cause serious muscle strains and snapped tendons, among other muscle injuries. If you feel you are dealing with a strained muscle, you should seek medical attention immediately. It might get worse.
• Smoke Inhalation: Inhaling smoke can cause devastating internal damage that could last a lifetime. Firefighters face the possibility of inhaling large amounts of smoke every time they go to put out a fire.
• Sometimes, firefighters can even pass out from how much smoke they may have inhaled without even noticing that they were doing it. Frequent smoke inhalation can cause pain while breathing, tightness in the chest, a hoarse voice, and rampant medical problems.
• Heat Exhaustion: Wearing all that gear can be hot enough. Wearing it while running headfirst into a blaze to save lives is simply dangerous. Heat exhaustion affects many firefighters and is caused by repeated overexposure to extreme heat or physical activity in a hot environment.
• Symptoms may include nausea, extreme sweating, chills, headaches, and multiple fainting spells, and it can lead to severe dehydration. It is vital that you monitor your own health as a firefighter.

FAQs About Phoenix, AZ Firefighter Workers Compensation Laws

What Do I Do if I Am Injured as a Firefighter?

If you are an active firefighter and are injured on the job in Phoenix, the first thing you should do is get yourself out of the immediate danger area if possible. Notify your team members that you are injured and need to get to a hospital. Try to put pride aside if it is going to be an issue, and think of your own health as a priority. Remember your training and speak with a worker’s comp lawyer once you are through the worst of it.

Are Volunteer Firefighters Covered by Arizona’s Workers’ Comp Laws?

Yes, volunteer firefighters are covered under Arizona’s workers’ comp laws. Volunteer firefighters are counted as public employees, just like volunteer paramedics. Most volunteer workers are not able to receive workers’ comp benefits because of their volunteer status, but the state makes an exception for volunteer firefighters due to the dangerous nature of their volunteer jobs. Still, some firefighters struggle to get workers’ comp and may need the help of a lawyer.

What Is Not Covered Under Workers’ Comp?

Most workplace injuries are covered under Arizona’s workers’ compensation laws, but certain situations would not count and might result in your case being denied. If you are injured as a result of your own actions while you were on your break, you may have a difficult time receiving workers’ comp benefits. It would depend on what happened. The same would apply to injuries that occur after work hours. If you are injured off the property, you may not qualify for benefits.

How Long Do Most Workers’ Comp Settlements Take?

There is no telling how long a workers’ comp settlement will take. Every workers’ comp case is different, with factors to consider when developing the case and deciding on a settlement offer. The severity of your injuries, the evidence of your accident, your lawyer’s negotiation skills, and the willingness of both parties to compromise are factors that must be taken into consideration. Some workers’ comp cases may take over a year to settle, while others may take longer.

If You Are an Injured Firefighter, Reach Out to Seek Legal Counsel

Firefighters have to cope with a lot of different kinds of stress. Dealing with the aftermath of an injury sustained on the job shouldn’t have to be one of them. If you retain the services of an experienced workplace injury lawyer, you can leave everything to them while you focus on healing and going back to serving the public.

The legal team at Arizona Injury Law Group handles workplace injury cases all the time and can offer you our guidance throughout this trying time for you. We can help you build your case, argue in favor of your workers’ comp benefits, and do what we can to ensure nobody is trying to take advantage of you. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member and learn more about what we can do for you.