The State of Oklahoma recognizes the very real risks that first responders face, including those related to emotional upheaval. Law enforcement is a dangerous and stressful career, which makes workers’ compensation an important legal tool for those in the field. If you work in law enforcement and have suffered an injury, illness, or PTSD on the job, our experienced Tulsa workers’ comp lawyers for law enforcement at ASH LAW are standing by to help.
Tulsa’s Shortage Of Law Enforcement Personnel
Like many other major cities in the nation, Tulsa is experiencing a shortage of law enforcement personnel. This puts an even more significant strain on each member of law enforcement and increases the risk of job-related injuries, illness, and psychological strain.
Risks Experienced On A Daily Basis
The serious daily risks that those in law enforcement can face daily are staggering and include all the following:
- Dangerous traffic incidents, such as violent crashes, proximity to speeding traffic, and high-speed pursuits
- Violent interactions with suspects who are potentially armed, sudden attacks in ambush situations, and physical assault when making arrests
- Exposure to chemical toxins, as well as dangerous drugs like fentanyl, and infectious diseases
- The exhaustion associated with long rotating shifts, working nights, and mandatory overtime hours
- The dangers associated with solo patrols and delayed backup
If you’ve been injured in the course of your work in law enforcement, an important early move is consulting with a formidable workers’ comp attorney for law enforcement.
Senate Bill 1457: Expanding Coverage For First Responders
Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 1457 went into effect on January 1, 2025. It expands workers’ compensation coverage to include law enforcement personnel who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the process of responding to emergencies.
In the past, suffering a physical injury was required to receive workers’ comp benefits. Now, however, when law enforcement personnel are diagnosed with PTSD by licensed psychiatrists or psychologists, they qualify for workers’ comp coverage. This is a key shift in workers’ comp for law enforcement, and it reflects the importance of preserving both physical and mental health.
The most common health concerns that aren’t injury-based for those in law enforcement include chronic stress and related diseases. For example, they experience an elevated risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Increased rates of depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and death by suicide are all serious concerns. The risks are all too real, which makes asserting your legal rights paramount.
Our Experienced Tulsa Workers’ Compensation Attorneys For Law Enforcement Are On Your Side
Our resourceful workers’ compensation lawyers for Law Enforcement at ASH LAW, helping clients throughout Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma, implement the full force of our legal insight and experience in pursuit of favorable resolutions for our valued clients. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t wait to reach out for more information by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 918-599-0001 today.
