Riverside Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Firefighters
Fighting for the Rights of Injured Firefighters and Other First Responders in Riverside
Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to help the rest of us sleep easy. There are countless ways in which firefighters can suffer an injury on the job, from burns and smoke inhalation to being struck by falling debris. They put themselves in danger to save the lives of other members of the community, and they deserve appropriate legal protection for doing so. California law recognizes that firefighters deserve special protection, especially when it comes to recovering after a workplace injury.
If you were injured while engaging in emergency response, or your loved one is a firefighter who suffered a fatal injury or illness on the job, you have a workers’ compensation claim. The seasoned workers’ compensation lawyers at Ochoa & Calderón are ready to fight for the benefits that you and your family deserve. You put yourself in harm’s way for the community, and the community owes you for your service.
Workers’ Compensation for Firefighters
Firefighters are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for any injuries, illnesses, or other conditions sustained in the line of duty. The dedicated workers’ comp attorneys at Ochoa & Calderón are proud to help firefighters obtain the maximum compensation available for their workers’ comp claims, including recovery for the following:
- Medical costs resulting from the workplace injury
- Temporary disability benefits (lost income)
- Permanent disability benefits
- Job displacement benefits, including education and retraining, should their injuries require switching careers
Firefighters and other first responders are entitled to certain special benefits as compared to other workers’ comp claims. In particular, firefighters can obtain their full salary for the first year of temporary disability, while other injured workers can recover only two-thirds of their salary. Firefighters are also entitled to a presumption of coverage for certain injuries, as we discuss below.
The Presumption of Coverage for Firefighters
The law understands that firefighters are likely to suffer injury or illness in the course of duty. Firefighters are exposed not only to the risk of a physical, traumatic injury but also to conditions caused by the harmful elements to which they are exposed. Firefighters can suffer harm caused by smoke inhalation, exposure to harmful chemicals, and other hazards.
For that reason, the law presumes that certain conditions are “work-related” when suffered by a firefighter. Workers in other industries would have to provide additional proof to demonstrate that these conditions were caused by exposure in the workplace. Conditions for which firefighters benefit from a presumption of coverage include the following:
- Pneumonia
- Cancer of various types
- Heart issues such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, or abnormal echocardiogram
- Blood-borne infectious diseases
- Exposure to a harmful biological or chemical agent
- Meningitis
To obtain coverage for cancer, the firefighter must demonstrate that they were exposed to a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) while working and that the carcinogen is associated with the type of cancer with which the firefighter was diagnosed. A savvy California workers’ comp attorney can help you gather the evidence necessary to demonstrate that you suffer from a covered illness, you were exposed to a harmful agent in the course of duty, and the chemical is connected to your malady.
Our Riverside Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Are Ready to Help Firefighters Recover the Benefits They Are Owed
For help getting benefits after an on-the-job injury or workplace illness, call Ochoa & Calderon to discuss your case with an accomplished and thorough California workers’ comp lawyer. Call 951-901-4444 in Riverside or 844-401-0750 toll-free throughout Southern California.
