Seattle First Responders’ Attorney

Representing Injured First Responders in Washington

Every day, first responders put their health, safety, and lives on the line for others. At Emery Reddy Serious Injury Department, we proudly represent police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, healthcare workers, and other first responders who have suffered severe, life-altering injuries on the job and/or as a result of someone else’s careless, reckless, or wrongful conduct. Our Seattle first responders’ attorneys have helped thousands of individuals and families fight for the justice they deserved, as well as the fair financial compensation they were owed. To date, we have recovered more than $200 million in compensation for our clients.

If you or someone you love was injured in the line of duty or due to another person or party’s negligence, reach out to our firm right away to learn how we can help. We do not collect any legal fees until we recover compensation for you.

Call (206) 202-2562 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

Common First Responder Injuries

Law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, healthcare workers, and other first responders face numerous risks every day on the job. The nature of first responder jobs often puts these individuals in high-risk situations, frequently leading to serious accidents and traumatic events that result in catastrophic injuries and, in the worst cases, death.

Some of the most common first responder injuries include:

• Falls, including slip and falls and falls from heights
• Assault, gunshot wounds, and related violent injuries
• Serious head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Second- and third-degree burns
• Smoke inhalation
• Broken bones/fractures
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Amputation/loss of limb
• Illnesses and medical conditions caused by toxic/harmful exposure
• Infectious disease caused by contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects
• Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Overexertion- and overuse-related injuries, such as sprains and strains
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries

These and other common injuries can have severe, life-altering effects. Some may result in permanent physical or mental disability, whereas others can lead to lifelong health complications or even death.

Workers’ Compensation for First Responders

In the state of Washington, nearly all first responders are covered by workers’ compensation under the Industrial Insurance Act. This means that first responders who are injured on the job or suffer any type of work-related injury, illness, or medical condition can file for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits pay for medical expenses related to the worker’s injury or illness, as well as a portion of their lost wages resulting from temporary or permanent disability.

Washington also recognizes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for certain first responders. As such, specified first responders—including eligible law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical professionals, EMTs, and corrections officers—can recover workers’ compensation benefits related to a PTSD diagnosis.

At Emery Reddy Serious Injury Department, our Seattle first responder injury attorneys can help you or your loved one navigate the legal process of filing for workers’ compensation benefits. The workers’ compensation system also offers death benefits to eligible surviving family members after the work-related death of a first responder. If your spouse, parent, or loved one passed away due to a work-related injury or occupational disease, we can help you and your family seek the fair compensation you are owed.

Filing a Third-Party Personal Injury Lawsuit

The workers’ compensation system is in place to compensate workers and their families for job-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths without the injured or affected party needing to prove negligence or fault. While this can make it somewhat easier to recover benefits after a workplace accident or injury, it also means that injured workers may not sue their employers for damages.

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are not always sufficient after a severe work-related injury or occupational disease. While workers’ compensation does pay for all “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses related to an occupational injury or illness, it does not cover the full cost of lost wages and it does not provide any compensation for pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages. The good news is that, in some cases, injured workers or their loved ones may be entitled to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit.

To bring a third-party personal injury lawsuit against a liable party, you will need to prove that the defendant is liable for your injuries and damages based on one of the following:

• Negligence
• Wrongful conduct
• Intentional infliction of injury
• Malpractice
• Default

One common example of when it is appropriate to bring a third-party work injury lawsuit is when a worker is harmed by a defective product, such as faulty equipment. Say a firefighter suffered serious burn injuries due to defective safety gear, including a defective helmet. The injured firefighter may not only have a workers’ compensation claim but could also be entitled to sue the manufacturer of the defective gear for damages.

We can review the details of your case and determine whether you and/or your loved one is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and/or has the right to sue a liable third party for damages. Our Seattle first responders’ attorneys leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of full, fair compensation for injured law enforcement officers, corrections officers, sheriffs, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and healthcare workers. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you with your claim.

How We Can Help

First responders are the first ones to run toward disasters, rather than away. At Emery Reddy Serious Injury Department, we believe that these real-life heroes should never have to suffer the effects of a work-related injury or occupational disease—but when it does happen, we are here to help.

Our team can assist you and your family at every stage of the legal process. We help by:

• Gathering applicable evidence, such as medical records and accident reports
• Working with expert witnesses to obtain powerful testimony
• Filling out and submitting all necessary paperwork, documents, and reports
• Communicating with the insurance company and/or liable party
• Developing innovative legal strategies tailored to each unique client’s situation
• Aggressively litigating claims and taking cases to trial when necessary

We are dedicated advocates for our clients, especially those who risk their lives every day to help others. We are especially proud to represent first responders, essential workers, and frontline workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is here to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have, providing you with the information you need to move forward.

Whether you were injured on the job or your loved one was a first responder who suffered a severe, incapacitating, or fatal injury or medical condition, our Seattle first responder attorneys are here to help.

Call (206) 202-2562 or use our secure online contact form to get in touch with us today.