It is no secret that a career in fire service brings with it the potential for exposure to a multitude of dangers, all of which can cause injuries, and many of which can be life-changing or life-threatening. Throughout my time in the fire service, I had the misfortune of bearing witness to some of the horrific fireground injuries which, unfortunately, come with the territory.
The Most Common Firefighter Injury
Thankfully, according to the US Fire Administration, the most common fireground injury is not generally one that is considered catastrophic. Since 2005, it was reported that muscle strains and sprains have been the most common type of fireground injury. Although seemingly insignificant compared to the variety of severe injuries firefighters can face, a muscle strain or sprain can still be severe enough to prevent a firefighter from returning to work while he/she recovers from that injury – or, in severe cases, they may not be able to return to work at all. Thus, it is not an injury to ignore.
Documenting Your Injury
As is the case with all workplace injuries, it is important to document the specifics regarding the injury, and to seek medical attention when necessary. What you think might be a simple sprain or strain, which will likely heal in a relatively short period of time, could turn out to be something much more significant. And having timely documentation of the injury and your doctor’s treatment plan could make the difference between receiving proper compensation for your injury, and not.
In addition to seeing a doctor and documenting your injury, anytime you have a workplace injury, it’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer to learn more about your rights and how to protect yourself. We can help you understand what kind of documentation a court would need if you end up in the position of having to file a suit or pursue a settlement of a workers compensation claim. It’s better to know what you would need in that case, and never end up needing it, than to need it, and not know.
Preventing Fireground Injuries
There is no way to completely eliminate all of the risks associated with a career in the fire service. However, reasonable steps can be taken in order to prevent injury. For more information on ways to prevent the most common fireground injuries, please see:
https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighter-training/firefighter-training-sprains-strains/
Please feel free to contact our law firm for more information related to firefighter injuries and other workplace related injuries.
– Michael J. Myers, Esq.