In certain scenarios, workers injured on the job are entitled to benefits for workers’ compensation in Mississippi, which will cover their medical costs. Another way this compensation could help injured workers is that they could get a portion of their earnings while they are recovering. Although workers’ compensation laws cover all employees, employees in high-risk occupations may be entitled to additional benefits and protections to ensure they have the necessary financial resources in case of workplace accidents. A vital example of such risky occupations or designations is of police personnel. As a result of an injury or other health issue, police officers can take steps to ensure they receive all the benefits they are due as a result of their work. By understanding the laws that apply to them in such situations, officers can ensure that they receive all the benefits they are entitled to in these situations.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2018 shows that 108 police officers were killed and the rate of all occupations was 3.5. The rate for police officers was 13.7% per 100,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) employees, while the rate for all occupations was 3.5.
Mississippi Police Officers Can Receive Full Disability Benefits:
Workers typically receive a percentage of the income they are unable to earn while recovering from their injuries through temporary or permanent disability benefits. The law in Mississippi states, however, that police officers taking short-term leave for a job-related injury or illness can still receive full salary if their injury or illness occurred while they were off duty. Civil servants can take a disability leave of up to one year and after that, they may continue to receive workers’ compensation for disability. Those who are eligible for full disability benefits include:
- Municipal police officers
- Sheriffs and anyone affiliated with the sheriff’s office
- Police officers in counties
- County peacekeeping officers
- Airport Force Officers
- Port or Harbor Police Officers
Presumed Work-Related Injuries Affecting Police Officers:
Determining whether an injury was work-related is a primary element of workers’ compensation in Mississippi claims. The result is those police officers can claim benefits without having to prove that their injuries or illnesses are the faults of specific vehicles or conditions because certain conditions are defined by law as work-related injuries. They include the following:
- Pneumonia
- Cardiac disorders, such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, cardiac enlargement, and other cardiovascular disorders
- Hernia
- Cancer, including leukemia for officers who have been exposed to known carcinogens
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Tuberculosis
- Covid-19 is an infection that affects humans in different ways
- As a result of exposure to bio-chemicals that cause injury
- Meningitis
- A lower back disorder affects officers who have been employed for at least five years and are required to wear a belt. This duty belt allows them to carry firearms, handcuffs, batons, and tools.
The Injured Police Personnel in Mississippi May Receive the Following Benefits:
The dynamics of your situation will determine the type of compensation to which you are entitled following an accident at work. Among the benefits you might be eligible for are:
- Benefits Related to Health:
Designed to cover all necessary and reasonable medical expenses incurred in treating your condition after being injured or sick at work, these benefits cover all essential and reasonable medical costs involved in treating your condition.
- Compensation for Lost Wages:
If you are unable to work, the wage replacement program will compensate you for part of your lost income. To qualify for the wage replacement program, you must meet the appropriate definition of being disabled, partially or totally.
- Workforce Development:
Injured workers who cannot return to their previous jobs may qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits are designed to cover the costs associated with retraining and reintegration into the working world.
A spouse and children of deceased service members may also be eligible for death benefits if the deceased died while performing their duties to the country.
Contact our Attorneys for Workers’ Compensation in Mississippi:
Police officers can receive workers’ compensation benefits despite being assumed that certain types of injuries and illnesses are related to their jobs. These presumptions might be challenged and police officers may need to take steps to ensure they can benefit from workers’ compensation in Mississippi. Workers’ compensation benefits can help you regain your standard of living. An attorney at our workers’ compensation law firm can help you file a claim and safeguard your rights. Call us now or email us to schedule a free consultation today.
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