Many first responders, including police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) workers deal with more traumatic events in one day than some people experience in a lifetime. It seems only natural that some develop post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI).
This could occur after years on the job or perhaps after one horrific event, like a mass shooting or a fire with multiple casualties. It’s often worse if there are children involved or if a first responder is dealing with a difficult situation in their own lives, like the recent death of a loved one.
The laws have been changing
Fortunately, state lawmakers throughout the country are becoming increasingly aware that PTSI and other mental health conditions are job-related for these professionals and should be covered by workers’ compensation. Half of all states already allow first responders with job-related post-traumatic stress conditions to get workers’ compensation benefits.
Here in Pennsylvania, a bill recently passed by an overwhelming bipartisan margin in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is headed to the Senate that will amend the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to allow workers’ comp for PTSI in first responders. It must be determined to have been caused by their job and diagnosed by either a mental health or medical professional within three years of the workers’ comp claim. If the bill passes in the Senate and is signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro, it will make much-needed mental health care easier for first responders to afford.
EMS supervisors have said that some people are still haunted by events decades old. One noted that paramedics sometimes have a hard time getting over the fact that they couldn’t save someone. Many agencies train their employees to look out for signs of trauma in their co-workers and provide peer support services. However, that’s not the same as getting professional help.
The Pennsylvania lawmaker who introduced the bill is the daughter of a firefighter who died by suicide. She says, “First responders are heroes, but they’re not superheroes. We need to make mental health care more accessible to prevent tragedies like the one my family went through.”
It appears likely at this point that the bill will become law. That’s one reason why everyone needs to be aware of changes (and proposed changes) in the law that could affect their lives – for better or worse. Legal guidance after a workplace injury or illness can help you get the compensation you’re due.