When you work in a correctional facility, you are exposed to many different life-threatening situations. When a correctional officer suffers an injury in the line of duty, they may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for their medical expenses and lost wages due to injury. It is reported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, that of all U.S. workers, correctional officers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal, work-related injuries. We understand the dangers correctional officers face in the line of duty. Learn more about workers compensation for correctional officers with EMD Law.
Common Correctional Officer Injuries
Correctional officers are subject to countless types of injuries, regardless of the level of security they work in. Each jail or prison has its own unique hazards, but there are some injuries that are all too frequent. These injuries can be fatal or cause lasting damage that puts an end to their career. Here are some common injuries among correctional officers.
- Overexertion
- Repetitive-stress injuries
- Auto accidents while transporting inmates
- Fall accidents
- Struck-by accidents
- Sprains and strains
- Contusions and abrasions
Benefits Available To Correctional Officers
Correctional officers who suffer a work-related injury may be entitled to the following types of benefits, depending on the long-term effects of their injury.
- Medical Expenses
- Doctor visits
- Hospital services
- Physical therapy
- Lab work
- X-rays and imagining scans
- Prescription medications
- Medical assistive equipment
- Temporary Disability Benefits
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) – You may receive TPD benefits if you are partially restricted from working due to your injuries. Restrictions could include reducing the number of hours you may work each day or limiting the activities you can perform in your job.
- Temporary total disability (TTD) – If your physician determines that you are completely unable to work, or the restrictions placed upon you are so severe that your employer does not allow you to return to work, you may qualify for TTD benefits.
- Permanent Disability Benefits
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) – If you are suffering from a permanent disability, you may qualify for benefits. Your treating physician will assign you a percentage of disability based on the severity of your injury. Your percentage will be plugged into a formula to determine the amount of money you will receive.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) – You may only qualify to receive benefits if your disability is rated at 100 percent by your treating physician. Injuries with a 100 percent disability rating may include the loss of use of both arms or loss of vision in both eyes.
At EMD Law our workers compensation lawyers understand the devastating effects a workplace injury can be on a correctional officer. Our goal is to get you the compensation you deserve. If you were injured while working in a jail or prison, contact us for a free consultation on your case.
Additional Resources:
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