Workers’ Compensation For Schuylkill County Volunteer First Responders
If you’re a volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT) or first responder, and you were injured in the line of duty, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. This is true even if you’re unpaid. Pennsylvania law recognizes the risks that volunteer first responders face and provides coverage for many types of injuries sustained while performing emergency duties.
At Pfeiffer Brown DiNicola & Frantz, a first responder workers’ comp law firm, we help injured first responders understand their rights and pursue the benefits they deserve. With offices in Pottsville and Valley View, our firm has served Schuylkill County for nearly 50 years. Here, you can benefit from free consultations and competitive contingency fees with no upfront costs.
One of our lead attorneys, Rob Frantz, is a certified workers’ compensation specialist. Less than 1% of lawyers in Pennsylvania have obtained this distinction.
Who Is Covered Under Pennsylvania Law?
Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, many volunteer emergency responders are considered “employees” for the purpose of workers’ comp eligibility. These include:
- Volunteer firefighters
- Volunteer ambulance corps members
- Rescue and lifesaving squad members
- Volunteer members of hazardous materials response teams
- Volunteer members of the state parks and forest program
- Pennsylvania deputy game protectors
- Special waterways patrolmen
- Forest firefighters
- Local emergency management coordinators
If you were injured while performing your volunteer duties, you may be entitled to benefits such as medical coverage and wage loss compensation. However, it’s important to note that “social members”, those who do not engage in emergency response or operational duties but who actively respond to emergency calls, are generally not covered under the act.
Supplemental And Self-Insured Coverage Options
Some counties offer supplemental workers’ comp plans and accident policies, such as Volunteers Special Risk Accident Insurance. Additionally, PComp is a self-insured workers’ compensation pool managed by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). It was designed to provide counties and county-related entities with a stable, cost-effective alternative to commercial insurance. Eligibility and benefits can vary, so it’s important to consult with an attorney who understands the nature of these policies. Our lawyers can help you get clarity and take the right steps.
What Benefits Can You Receive?
If you qualify for workers’ compensation, you may be entitled to:
- Coverage for medical treatment
- Wage-loss benefits (based on the state’s average weekly wage)
- Compensation for permanent injuries or disabilities
- Death benefits for surviving family members in fatal cases
These benefits are designed to help you recover physically and financially after a serious injury. You can turn to our first responder workers’ comp law firm for guidance and advocacy.
How We Help Volunteer First Responders
Pursuing a first responder work-related claim can be fraught with challenges and legal headaches, especially when you’re unsure of your eligibility or facing pushback from insurers. Our team has decades of experience handling volunteer first responder injuries, and we know how to build strong cases that get results.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured workers across Pennsylvania. Our Pottsville first responder workers’ compensation attorneys will guide you through every step of the process with empathy, professionalism and a commitment to justice.
Get The Benefits You Deserve
If you’ve been injured while serving your community as a volunteer first responder, you deserve compensation. Turn to our lawyers for help moving forward. In addition to handling first responder work-related claims through workers’ comp, we can also handle any injury claims against third parties who contributed to your injuries.
Start with a free consultation by calling 570-391-0199 or sending us a quick email.