Police officers are here for us in times of crisis, putting their lives and their safety in jeopardy in order to protect and serve the public. As first responders, the job of a police officer is inherently dangerous. That is why New York law allows police officers who are injured at work to seek compensation beyond sick time, workers’ compensation, or disability benefits.
If you are a police officer who has been injured on the job, you have options and rights. A seasoned Long Island workplace injury attorney can work with you to help you pursue a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your injuries. Learn more about how police officers can seek justice below.
Police officers who are injured in the line of duty have the right to sue other people or entities who are responsible for their injuries. Under General Municipal Law 205-e, any police officer in the state of New York who is injured or killed in an accident can file a lawsuit for the person or entity responsible for their injury or death. For wrongful death lawsuits, the survivors of the deceased police officer can file a lawsuit on their behalf.
GML 205-e permits police officers or their family members to file a lawsuit against anyone who failed to comply with the requirements of any of the statutes, ordinances, rules, orders and requirements of the federal, state, county, village, town or city governments or of any and all their departments, divisions and bureaus. If that failure resulted, directly or indirectly, in an accident that caused an injury, death, or disease that results in death, an officer can file a lawsuit with the assistance of a skilled Long Island workplace injury attorney.
The laws regarding claims brought by police officers who are injured in the line of duty are different than those brought by civilians. For example, a police officer can file a lawsuit against a suspect who assaulted him or her in the line of duty. An officer can also file a lawsuit against the town or city that employs them, or even a fellow police officer, for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Because these cases are complex, it is vital to consult with a Long Island workplace injury attorney who understands the unique nature of line of duty cases. New York law imposes strict limitations on how and when claims can be made under this law, particularly in cases involving government entities.
There are two basic types of compensation that a police officer may be entitled to under New York law. First, a police officer who is injured in the line of duty may be eligible for a specific type of benefits available to municipal employees who are first responders.
These benefits, known as section 207-c benefits, are akin to workers’ compensation. However, this type of compensation is more generous given the heightened risk of the job.
Second, police officers who are injured in the line of duty can file a lawsuit under section 205-e against any person or entity whose statutory violation directly or indirectly caused their injury. Under this law, police officers can recover damages for their injuries just as they would in another civil lawsuit. These damages may include compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. A skilled Long Island workplace injury attorney can work with you to determine if you are eligible to file a 205-e lawsuit.
In New York, police officers may suffer injuries in a variety of ways. On Long Island, law enforcement officers are often in their patrol vehicles.
This increases the risk of car accidents, both during high speed pursuits and during regular commutes. Because of GML 205-e, New York police officers have several options available to them when it comes to pursuing compensation for a line of duty car accident.
Officers may also suffer injuries while investigating crimes, such as by slipping and falling during a pursuit, being assaulted while breaking up a fight, or falling while going into a building that is not up to code. Officers who work on the water may be subject to specific types of hazards.
Under federal law, any law enforcement officer who spends more than a third of his time on navigable waters is a Jones Act seaman. As such, he or she can sue their employer if they are injured due to negligence or any unsafe condition on a vessel.
As a police officer, you have dedicated your life to serving the community. It is only fair that if you are hurt in the performance of your duties, you should be appropriately compensated. A Section 205-e lawsuit may allow you to seek justice for a line of duty injury against the person or entity responsible for your loss.
At Siler & Ingber, we are dedicated to helping police officers and other first responders who have suffered injuries while on the job. We believe that our brave law enforcement officers deserve the best representation possible, which is why we work hard to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Contact us today at 1-516-294-2666, or reach out online to schedule an appointment with an experienced Long Island workplace injury attorney.
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
PROMOTION PERIOD: The Siler & Ingber Mineola MegaStar Contest begins on March 20, 2023 at 12:00 am ET and
ends on May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.
ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, a MegaStar must be a legal U.S. resident at least 16 years of age as of date of
Nomination. A Mineola MegaStar is defined as a person who lives or works in Mineola and is admired or idealized for their courage, dedication, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. By participating, Entrants agree to be
bound by the official rules. Sponsors reserve the right to verify and determine eligibility in their sole discretion.
TO PARTICIPATE: During the Promotion Period, Siler & Ingber will accept from the members of the public (herein, the “Nominators”) nominations of Eligible Entrants (Mineola Megastars) who live or works in Mineola. Nominations may be entered by visiting www.nylawnet.com/mineolamegastar and completing the online form and essay submission or by emailing photo and essay to marketing@nylawnet.com during the Promotion Period to receive one (1) entry. Essay must not exceed 500 words. Acceptable essay formats are word documents or pdf ONLY. Nominations submitted without all required information or after the Promotion Period will be disregarded.
Online submissions must be received by May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET to be eligible. All entries become the exclusive property of Siler & Ingber and will not be acknowledged or returned.
ESSAY: During the promotion period, an Entrant can nominate a Mineola MegaStar for the contest by submitting a
photo and essay. The essay must describe why the individual should be chosen as the award winner, including how the individual demonstrates some or all of the following qualifications:
1) an inspiring example to others by helping make Mineola a better place to live (through volunteerism, extra-curricular actives, special projects, giving back, etc.)
2) going above and beyond to aid a friend, family member, stranger or community in a time of need; and/or
3) love of profession and desire, determination and diligence to help outside of normal job responsibilities. The essay must be in English and no more than 500 words. All information provided must be truthful, accurate and complete. An Entrant cannot nominate more than one Hero.
Submitted Materials: Each essay must satisfy all the following submission requirements the Submission
Requirements:
· The essay must be the original creation of Entrant.
· The essay must not portray any recognizable individual without their prior consent, including consent from the
Hero.
· Entrant must either own all rights to the essay or otherwise have the right to submit the essay in the contest and to provide the rights to Sage Surfaces as set forth herein.
· The essay must not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.
· The essay may not contain illegal, indecent, obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit content, or otherwise offensive material or inappropriate content such as aberrational behavior, graphic violence, drug abuse, or nudity.
· The essay must not promote bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.
· The essay must be non-defamatory and must not invade any third party’s right of privacy or publicity.
· The essay must otherwise be appropriate for publication or broadcast or display on a general interest website.
By submitting an essay, each Entrant represents and warrants that the essay meets all of the submission
requirements and that the distribution, reproduction, display and any other uses of any part of the essay by Siler & Ingber as permitted herein will not infringe any third-party rights. Each Entrant further agrees to indemnify and hold Siler & Ingber harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, liabilities and causes of action of whatsoever nature that are based upon or arise out of any breach by such Entrant of such warranties or representations made by contestant or of these official rules.
By submitting an essay, Entrant grants to Siler & Ingber a non-exclusive, perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free license (and waives all moral rights in and to the essay) to display or otherwise use the essay in connection with this promotion and as set forth herein. If Siler & Ingber determines, in its sole discretion and at any time during the promotion period, that any nomination violates the submission requirements, is otherwise unsuitable, offensive, or in poor taste, or violates these official rules, Siler & Ingber reserves the right to remove and disqualify the essay. Siler & Ingber retains sole
discretion as to whether any nomination satisfies the submission requirements and the official rules.
WINNER SELECTION: For the entry period, a panel of judges will select potential Mineola Megastar finalists based on the compelling nature of the essay based on the criteria set forth herein. Top 5 entries will be announced on May 10, 2023. We will post the top 5 on social media. Final winner announced May 15, 2023. Award Ceremony for Mineola MegaStar will take place on May 19, 2023.
WINNER NOTIFICATION AND RELEASES: We will attempt to notify potential winners via telephone and/or email. If a potential winner: (a) does not respond within 48 hours of initial notification attempt; (b) is not in compliance with these official rules, (c) does not meet the eligibility requirements, (d) declines the prize, he or she will be disqualified, and an alternate winner will be selected by applying the criteria set forth above.
PRIZES: There is 1 Mineola MegaStar. Winner will receive a $500 Cash Prize.
PUBLICITY AND MARKETING: Submission of a nomination in the contest constitutes permission to Siler & Ingber to use Entrants name, identity, title, likeness, distinctive appearance, physical likeness, image, portrait, picture, photograph (whether still or moving), screen persona, voice, vocal style, statements, gesture, mannerism, personality, performance characteristic, biographical data, signature, social media handles and identities, and any other indicia or imitation of identity or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade, in any medium, without further notice, approval, or compensation, unless prohibited by law.
PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: No transfer, assignment, sale, duplication, cash redemption or substitution of Prize (or portion of Prize) is permitted, except by Sponsors, which reserve the right to substitute a Prize (or applicable portion of Prize) with one of comparable or greater value, as determined by Sponsors. Sponsors are not responsible for and will not replace a lost or stolen Prize or any component thereof. All Prize details are at Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion. Non-compliance with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and, at Sponsors’ sole discretion, the awarding of Prize to an alternate winner.
VERIFICATION OF OFFICIAL WINNER: ALL PRIZE WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION BY SPONSORS, WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST.