There is no doubt that police officers in California and across the country face dangers while completing their jobs. For example, when responding to a call about an armed person, the scene can become chaotic, potentially resulting in harm to officers. In fact, an officer was recently injured at work, and officials believe that her injuries may have been the result of friendly fire.
The incident that led to injuries for the female police officer reportedly happened in the afternoon hours of a day in early August. Police say that they were called to a residence in relation to a suicidal man with a pair of scissors. When they arrived at the home, they discovered a 33-year-old man and a Rottweiler; his wife, three children and mother-in-law were also in the home.
At some point during the incident, a fire extinguisher was used, possibly in an effort to subdue the dog. Reports indicate that an officer was shot in a wrist, likely as a result of friendly fire, but many details about the shooting are unclear, including whether the officer who fired was shooting as a result of the actions of the dog or of the man. The man was ultimately taken into custody; while the dog was injured, the man and his family were not.
Though the injured California officer is expected to fully recover after being injured at work, the details of her injury are unclear. She could require surgery and long-term rehabilitation as a result of the injury. Because the costs of this medical care, potentially in combination with lost wages if she is unable to work while recovering, could be overwhelming, she may want to ensure that she receives the workers’ compensation insurance benefits to which she may be entitled. An attorney with experience with these cases can help her in her pursuit of a fair settlement.