New Jersey Police Officer Injury Attorneys

When New Jersey police officers clock in for a shift, they put their lives on the line. It’s their job, and with that job comes a high level of risk for the situations they face daily. They face being injured or killed in the line of duty. They have no idea what they may find when they arrive at a call for assistance.

They may face the possibility of being involved in a crash while trying to approach a car accident scene on a highway or street. Other scenarios may include sustaining lacerations from a broken plate-glass window, getting shot while on duty, getting bitten by a dog, or falling down a flight of poorly maintained stairs. Regardless of the situation, as a police officer, you have legal rights and may have the opportunity to pursue a personal injury and workers’ compensation claim.

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we deal with New Jersey police officer’s injuries frequently. We know the issues you face, and our New Jersey police officer injury attorneys are here to assist you in getting the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

We have proudly supported the Morris County 200 Club for many years, an organization that knows how important it is to give back to the community and supports and honors Morris County First Aid Squad members, Firefighters, and the New Jersey State Police. As an injured officer, we take that personally and will work with you to obtain the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries. 

Types of On-the-Job Risks New Jersey Police Officers May Face

New Jersey police officers face many hazards on the job. Some of them include:

• Car accidents
• Prisoner transport issues
• Prison lockdown incidents
• Being shot by friendly fire
• Being shot, run over, or beaten
• Upper body sprain, strains
• Training injuries
• Injuries sustained while responding to a call at unsafe premises
• Medical emergencies, such as heart attacks or strokes
• Dealing with individuals under the influence
• Being attacked when responding to a domestic dispute

For an in-depth overview of the challenges and injuries sustained by police officers, visit HERE. 

Common Injuries Sustained by New Jersey Police Officers

When responding to calls, New Jersey police officers can be injured, which may include:

• Amputations
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Facial injuries
• Lacerations
• Ligament sprains/tears
• Overexertion injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Paralysis
• Soft tissue injuries
• Smoke inhalation
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Tendon strains/tears
• Whiplash

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits for New Jersey Police Officers

• Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) – Receive 70 % of their average weekly wages.
• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD) – Payments for a permanent impairment of bodily function, but the New Jersey police officer can still work. Benefits are granted according to the type and degree of impairment or disability.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD) – if the claimant is determined to be permanently totally disabled, they continue to receive 70% of their average weekly wage. 

• Medical Expenses – For all necessary reasonable treatment and rehabilitation.

Third-Party Claims for Police Officers Injured on the Job 

Many New Jersey Police Officers are not aware that if they are injured on the job, not only can they file a workers’ compensation claim, but they may also have, depending on the circumstances of their work injury, the ability to file a third-party personal injury claim.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 16,900 first responders sustained injuries in 2020. As a police officer, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and, in some instances, may also be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. It is a fact that emergency responders, including New Jersey police officers, have the same rights as other New Jersey citizens to file a personal injury claim seeking damages for injuries caused by the careless conduct of others, including property owners. 

Injured New Jersey police officers are entitled to other benefits, including workers’ compensation, through their employer. There are several situations where an injured police officer may claim compensation against a third party.

Some of these include:

• Police Vehicle Accident – Police can be involved in accidents caused by DUI/DWI, negligent drivers, or pursuing drivers to apprehend them. Thirty-five percent of crashes resulted in injury or fatality to at least one vehicle occupant. 
• Dog Bite Injuries – dog owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs. 
• Negligent Property Owners – if a New Jersey police officer is injured responding to a call at someone’s property, and are injured due to the failure to maintain their property, they can file a third-party claim to sue the property owner under the doctrine of premises liability. 
• Defective or Dangerous Products – if a New Jersey police officer is hurt by a dangerous or defective product, such as a gun that misfires or a defective Kevlar vest, the designer and maker may be responsible for the officer’s injuries.

As police officers often arrive first at an accident scene, they may become injured during arrival, at the scene, or when leaving. For example, a police officer may fall down a flight of stairs because a guardrail was not securely affixed to a wall and hit their head, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and thus needs to file a workers’ compensation claim. They may also potentially be able to sue a property owner under the doctrine of premises liability. An injured New Jersey police officer can file a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim. This could mean greater benefits available for recovery. It’s best to talk with an experienced attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm to discuss the next best steps. 

Speak with a New Jersey Police Officer Personal Injury Claim Attorney 

Contact the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm to speak with one of our New Jersey personal injury lawyers who will ensure your rights are protected. Todd Leonard is a Platinum Sponsor, Member, and Trustee of The 200 Club of Morris County, an organization which supports and honors police officers, first aid squad members, firefighters, the New Jersey State Police, and other first responders and their families. We also support many local Police Benevolent Associations (PBA), and Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) throughout the area. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job as a New Jersey police officer, call our Headquarters at (973) 920-7900 for a FREE and confidential consultation. We also provide Spanish-bilingual services.

We aggressively represent every client we serve, ensuring they recover the benefits they need to move on with their lives after a serious accident while on the job. Whether it be through a workers’ comp claim and/or a third-party personal injury case, our worker’s compensation and personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.