When dangerous professions come to mind, that of a police officer is often near the top of the list. Unfortunately, there are many hazards that law enforcement officers face as they complete their job-related tasks. For example, an officer in California is now being mourned after he was shot during a traffic stop — a work-related incident that has left many reeling.
The incident reportedly happened on a day in late August. According to reports, a 34-year-old officer had conducted a traffic stop. Afterward he was apparently completing paperwork to impound the driver’s pickup truck. The driver, a 49-year-old man, was reportedly standing outside of his vehicle when he began shooting.
The officer was able to call for help. However, two other officers who responded to the scene were also shot. Both the original police officer and the motorist were killed in the incident. The other two officers who suffered injuries are expected to recover.
Unfortunately, a family and community is left to mourn the man’s death while two other officers may be facing a long recovery due to injuries suffered in the incident. Often, victims of a work-related incident such as this are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits, coverage that helps them with the costs of an injury that occurs while completing the responsibilities as required by their job. These benefits often extend to certain family members in the event of a fatality. Because many people in California who are grieving are unprepared to negotiate with an insurance company, they may choose to ask an attorney with experience with the process to guide them in their pursuit of obtaining maximum benefits.