Understanding Workers’ Compensation Coverage and Benefits for North Carolina First Responders

At the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys deeply empathize with the crucial role of North Carolina first responders in ensuring public safety and the unique risks they face in the line of duty. We understand the physical and emotional toll their work can take, and we are here to support them.

We take pride in representing firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, search and rescue, and emergency management personnel when they have suffered workplace injuries to help ensure they can obtain and maintain the workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation is a crucial safety net. This financial support ensures that injured first responders can focus on recovery without the added worry of the economic burden of their injuries.

Which Workers’ Compensation Benefits are Available to North Carolina First Responders?

Workers’ compensation benefits for North Carolina first responders are similar to those for most workers, but they also include additional considerations that reflect the unique nature of their work and the specific risks and challenges they face in the line of duty.

They include:

• Medical Benefits

First responders are entitled to a comprehensive range of necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses. This includes coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services.

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits

If a first responder is temporarily unable to work due to a work-related injury, they may be eligible for temporary total disability benefits. TTD benefits provide a portion of the injured worker’s lost wages during the period of disability, typically at a rate of two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits

If a first responder sustains a permanent impairment due to a work-related injury, they may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits. PPD benefits compensate for the permanent loss of function or impairment caused by the injury based on the North Carolina schedule of benefits. the value of these benefits can be based on impairment rating or return to work at reduced wages.

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services

If a first responder cannot return to their previous job due to a work-related injury, they may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. These services help injured workers develop new skills, find suitable employment, or return to work in a modified capacity.

• Death Benefits

In the tragic event that a first responder dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness, their dependents may be entitled to death benefits. Death benefits provide financial support to the surviving spouse, children, or other dependents of the deceased worker, including compensation for funeral expenses and ongoing financial support.

First responders willingly risk their lives to protect and serve our North Carolina communities, often facing significant risks and challenges. We must recognize and support their dedication, courage, and sacrifice and prioritize their safety and well-being through adequate training, resources, and support services, including access to workers’ compensation benefits.

Are You a First Responder Who Has Been Injured at Work in North Carolina?

Our dedicated Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all employees who have suffered a workplace injury in North Carolina, including first responders, by calling 704-376-1616 or contacting us online.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.