During an emergency situation, there are certain people who are committed to helping those who may be injured or afraid. In fact, law enforcement officers are often willing to put their own safety on the line to help others. While there are a variety of measures in place in California and states across the country to protect first responders, they can still become the victim of a work-related accident.
In fact, a trooper in another state lost his life in such an accident in January. According to reports, the 34-year-old victim was on his way home when he responded to an accident. The accident is said to have involved multiple vehicles.
Unfortunately, the trooper was struck by a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old man when the former exited his vehicle. He died as a result. The older driver now faces criminal charges as a result of the incident, including reckless homicide of a police officer and a violation of Scott’s Law which requires motorists to yield or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles.
Most people in California and across the country who have a law enforcement officer in their family are aware of the potential dangers their loved one may experience. However, that knowledge does little to protect them from such a loss. In addition to their grief, many families who have lost a loved one in a work-related accident also experience financial complications as a result of lost wages and funeral expenses. Though they may be entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits, many are unprepared to negotiate with an insurance company while processing their loss. As such, many turn to an experienced professional for guidance regarding all potential options for legal recourse.