Washington EMT Work-Related Injury & PTSD Attorney
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) suffer work-related injuries at a significantly higher rate than employees in many other industries. Unfortunately, many of these injuries lead to PTSD, due to the incredible psychological stress that can develop as a result.
If you or a loved one is an EMT who has been diagnosed with PTSD after a work-related injury, please contact Colburn Law today to discuss your case. We can help you file a worker’s compensation claim to help you receive the benefits and treatment you need to make a full recovery.
Why Choose Us?
Colburn Law is leading the charge on PTSD claims for first responders in the state of Washington.
- We were one of the first law firms to successfully obtain compensation for first responders suffering from PTSD in Washington.
- We have years of experience in worker’s compensation claims of all occupations. We have intimate knowledge of the process, allowing you to file a claim without question or uncertainty.
- Founder Greg Colburn has had personal experience with work-related injuries and the worker’s compensation claims process. A serious injury that left him in a wheelchair for two years inspired him to become a lawyer focusing on worker’s compensation claims.
Common Work-Related Injuries for EMTs
Approximately 22,000 EMTs suffer injuries every year that require emergency room care. From 2010-2014, the top five most common types of injuries for EMTs were:
- Body motion injuries. The most common injuries involved those associated with physical effort or repetitive movement. Most of these were back and neck injuries, usually occurring due to lifting, carrying, and/or transferring a patient.
- Exposure to harmful substances. This mostly involves blood or respiratory secretions from patients, but also can include needlesticks and exposure to other drugs.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Slipping on wet surfaces, falling while exiting or entering the ambulance, and going up and down stairs were common occurrences.
- Motor vehicle accidents. EMTs in the back compartment treating a patient are often unrestrained – so when an accident occurs, they may suffer injuries much more serious than thought.
- Violence and assaults. Belligerent patients who are usually under the influence or drugs and/or alcohol can inflict injuries on EMTs.
How Do Work-Related Injuries Cause PTSD?
Although these work-related injuries are serious and require medical treatment, we may not consider them to be traumatic enough to cause PTSD. However, suffering an injury can be a slippery slope of stress for EMTs.
- They may have to take time off to recover, which can be a jarring change in routine for EMTs, who typically work long shifts.
- Taking time off to recover can mean less money being made, which can cause stress and anxiety due to financial hardship.
- A serious injury that causes financial hardship can increase strain on a relationship or within a family, especially in single-income families.
- All of this turmoil can eventually cause depression and potential self-medication through alcohol and/or drugs.
The combination of accumulated chronic stress from the job, along with the added stress of feeling worthless or not useful when injured, can serve as a potent cause for PTSD to develop.
A Lawyer Can Help You Receive Support
In order to combat this, EMTs may file a worker’s compensation claim for their injuries so that their costs and any lost wages may be potentially covered. In these cases, an experienced attorney can be invaluable to your case. They can organize your thoughts and injuries so that you can maximize your compensation, while also advocating for your needs on your behalf if you are otherwise unable to do so. If your claim gets unexpectedly denied, an attorney can help you appeal the decision, allowing you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one suffered an injury as an EMT in Washington, please contact us immediately to discuss your case. We can help you receive the worker’s compensation necessary to prevent any financial hardship, and help you get back to full recovery. Schedule a free consultation today, and let us help you receive the compensation you are entitled to.