First Responders & PTSD

First responders have some of the most challenging of jobs. Those positions create more than just the potential for physical injury. Many create the risk of ongoing trauma. As first responder lawyers, our legal team at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, Attorneys at Law, provides those who work so hard and suffer so greatly with the legal support they need even in these challenging situations. Speak with an Olympia personal injury lawyer today.

The Complications First Responder Face Require Specific Support

First responders include those who work for emergency services in the community as well as veterans. These individuals routinely put themselves on the line so those in need receive the immediate help and support required to survive. The complications that come from this type of work are intense and often include physical, emotional, and financial losses. At the same time, it can be challenging for victims to receive any compensation owed to them when they need to file a claim. By working with an attorney at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, Attorneys at Law, you gain the knowledge and resources necessary to help you navigate the legal process with confidence.

There are numerous benefits to working with our first responder lawyers in Olympia, WA. Those include:

• Over 110 years of combined legal experience. With our experience, you gain the confidence to know your legal matter will be handled with the utmost care and attention to your needs. Be sure to read through our frequently asked questions to learn more.
• Dedicated advocates. Each of our Olympia first responder attorneys is a dedicated advocate for you, meaning we do not leave your side until you receive the compensation owed to you.
• Comprehensive support in the most challenging of environments. We get results for our clients, and we do so even when we have to go up against the largest companies and insurance adjusters who have a record for reducing what they pay out.

If you are hurt on the job as a first responder, you have the right to seek medical and emotional treatment for your injuries. You may also have the right to additional compensation through workers’ compensation claims. With the help of our first responder attorneys in Olympia, WA, you will know what those rights are, and you will have the legal confidence you need to move your case forward.

The Complexity of PTSD Injuries

If you fall at work, your injuries are covered by workers’ compensation claims. Yet, when your injuries are not easily treated and not often visible, it can be more challenging to file a claim and receive the compensation you are owed. At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, Attorneys at Law, we know what you are facing, but we also know you deserve fair legal support in these trying situations.

If you are one of the many first responders battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you have the right to seek medical and emotional support to meet your needs. In the state of Washington, you are able to file a claim for PTSD. This falls under Senate Bill 6214. The law provides that anyone with diagnosed PTSD onset as a result of their work duties should receive the same benefits as if they suffered a medical condition.

PTSD, under this law, is considered an occupational disease for those who work as first responders. This means you are able to use that diagnosis to file for workers’ compensation benefits under Washington law. Under the law, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if:

• There was a single traumatic incident, or traumatic event, that caused your PTSD symptoms
• Chronic workplace stress and pressure led to the development of PTSD symptoms

If you believe your case falls in either of those areas, we strongly recommend working with an Olympia first responder attorney for immediate support. Doing so will allow us to help you navigate your rights.

When Can a PTSD Claim Occur?

Under the state of Washington’s laws, PTSD may come on and be diagnosed at various times. Each situation is looked at individually to ensure that there is a full understanding of what occurred and how it happened. First responders may be able to seek disability benefits for PTSD:

• That develops after they retire from their jobs
• That is from work-related injuries
• That develops over time and impacts your ability to do your job
• Includes depression or anxiety-induced PTSD
• As well as support for alcohol or other forms of addiction that occur with PTSD

Your situation is unique. Our first responder lawyer in Olympia, WA, can help you make sense of it. If you were diagnosed with PTSD, we encourage you to reach out to us immediately for legal guidance.

Avoid Filing a Claim Without an Attorney by Your Side

You are struggling with physical or emotional losses due to your PTSD. You know you have a formal diagnosis, so you file a claim with the Department of Labor & Industry for workers’ compensation. While the process seems very straightforward, it rarely is. There are numerous requirements you must meet. Additionally, there is a high risk that the court will turn you down if you do not represent yourself well.

We do not encourage our clients to simply file a claim if they are dealing with PTSD or any other type of invisible illness. Because all of the burden of proof lies on your shoulders, it can be very difficult for you to receive fair treatment under the law. Instead, enable our legal team to work with you to file the claim. In doing so, we can help you by:

• Avoiding statements that could cause the insurance company to deny your claim
• Helping you avoid medical questions or interrogations that put you at risk
• Minimizing the risk of not providing thorough information that causes a denial or delay

With the help of our first responder attorneys, you gain the knowledge necessary to ensure your claim is taken seriously and you get the compensation owed to you.

You Have the Right to Compensation as a First Responder

Determining your right to compensation as a first responder can be challenging. The burden of proof is on you to do so. Here is what you need to know about your right to compensation and how to get the compensation owed to you:

• Seek medical care. If you are hurt on the job or you are struggling with PTSD, seek immediate medical care and continue to receive that care. Doing so helps to establish your right to compensation because it demonstrates your losses and that you are doing everything you can to recover.
• Discuss your case with our attorneys. By working with an Olympia first responder attorney, you gain insight into what legal rights you have after filing a claim.
• Determine your losses. With the help of our attorney, we will help determine what your losses are. In a case involving PTSD, this often involves speaking to mental health professionals.
• File the necessary claim with the state. Most often, you will need to file a claim that outlines what occurred and what the results were. You may be asked follow-up questions about the events.
• Appeal any denials. There are times in which a first responder may receive a denial of their claim for compensation through PTSD protections. That does not mean you do not have a case. It means you need a bigger legal strategy.

As your attorney, we will advise you on what legal steps you can take to pursue additional compensation, depending on the situation. If you are denied compensation for any reason after your claim, our attorneys will help you file an appeal and navigate the process with you to ensure you have every chance possible to recover the damages owed to you, but be sure to avoid making common mistakes that can worsen your injury.

Why Newer Workers’ Compensation Laws Protect PTSD Victims

Laws in Washington State changed in 2018 to provide additional avenues for recovery of damages for those first responders who suffered PTSD. Previous laws were limited. In most cases, a person had just one year from the exposure of the risk to pursue compensation under workers’ compensation laws. That does not work well with PTSD, which can take some time to develop.

Many times, mental health conditions like PTSD were denied because they were considered connected with the “ordinary” work stress of a person’s experiences and, therefore, not eligible for compensation. However, in 2018, the workers’ compensation laws in Washington changed to provide a better avenue for those suffering from work-induced mental health disorders.

Specifically, the laws now allowed for people who were exposed to and developed PTSD over a period of time to seek out support. Repeat exposure to stressful situations is often what puts first responders at the greatest risk of suffering from this disease. Through this modification of the workers’ compensation law, it was then possible to finally offer help to people who may have suffered from the intensity of the job’s ongoing duties and not just from a single traumatic event.

Determining if You Qualify as a First Responder

If you are unsure if you meet the state’s requirements for being a first responder, we encourage you to contact our first responder attorneys in Olympia, WA, to discuss your case. We can offer a specific answer to this during your initial free consultation.

Typically, a first responder, under the state’s laws, is any person who runs toward an event that is occurring instead of running away from it. This person could be involved in:

• An initial rescue attempt
• The investigation of the incident
• Reporting of the incident
• Treatment of a person at the incident location
• Any type of natural disaster exposure and recovery
• Violent person assaults
• Terrorist acts

Who does this include? In general, it includes a wide range of potential people working to support the needs of others. Some examples include:

• Members of law enforcement
• Firefighters
• Emergency medical personnel
• State troopers
• Medical professionals in ERs
• EMTs of all types, including those working for corrections officers
• Municipal and state police

Keep in mind that under Washington’s workers’ compensation laws, the only people who can seek out support like this for PTSD are those who are defined as first responders under RCW 51.08.142. If you are unsure if this applies to your situation, our Olympia first responder lawyers can offer the guidance you need.

PTSD Treatment Is Critical to First Responders

Our attorneys are passionate about providing our clients with exceptional legal support, especially first responders who sacrifice so much to support the needs of the community. In reality, these people struggle with some of the most challenging jobs, and they do so for the benefit of others, often strangers. Yet, there are more risks involved.

Those who suffer from PTSD may be at a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety. They are also at a higher risk for suicide because of their constant life-and-death circumstances. Without proper treatment, in these very challenging legal situations, a person’s life is on the line in yet another way. We believe that, without a doubt, you deserve the legal support of an attorney who can help you obtain first responder worker’s compensation claims when you are owed them.

Put Our First Responder Lawyers in Olympia, WA, to Work on Your Case Today

As first responder attorneys in Olympia, WA, we recognize the complexities that exist in your job and understand the risks you take. As highly skilled workers’ compensation attorneys, we also know that you deserve to receive fair compensation for the losses you incurred through the work you do.

It may not be simplistic to obtain such damages, but with the firm experience and passion that our first responders attorneys in Olympia offer, you can expect us to work diligently to help you achieve your best possible outcome. Be sure to ask the right questions when meeting with a workers’ compensation attorney for the first time.

When you are facing injury and losses due to the work you do, contact an attorney ready to fight for you. Put your trust in Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, Attorneys at Law today. Without any doubt, our team will work closely with you to ensure your rights are fully maintained so you can get the help you need in these very difficult situations. Call us today for a free consultation.