Common injuries in this line of work
First responders get hurt in ways most workers never face. Officers and medics are assaulted by people in crisis. Crews are struck by passing cars while working a roadway scene. Patrol cars, engines and ambulances crash on the way to calls. Forcing doors, carrying patients down stairs and climbing in gear can tear a knee or injure a back.
The noise is constant too: sirens, air horns, engines and sometimes firearms training. Over a career, that can leave ears ringing or hearing reduced. Animal bites happen on calls to homes and during searches.
Then there is the weight of what you see. Repeated exposure to death, injury and danger can lead to trauma reactions, including symptoms of PTSD, sometimes after one terrible call and sometimes after years of them. Some states have special rules for first responder mental health claims, and others do not. Departments often run on shift rotations and tight staffing, which can make people reluctant to take time off. Your health still matters.
Reporting it and the claim process
Most departments have their own injury reporting forms, and they may be separate from the workers' compensation claim itself. Ask your supervisor or the department's risk office how both work, and request copies.
Deadlines to report and to file a claim vary by state, and the rules for first responder conditions like PTSD, hearing loss or certain illnesses can be different from other jobs. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency, your department and, if you have one, your union or association.
For trauma-related claims, it helps to keep a private log of difficult calls and how you felt afterward. That record can help a clinician understand what you have been through.
Getting medical care
Tell the clinician you were hurt on duty and describe the call or task. Mention gear, lifting and any blows to the head, even if they seem minor.
Some states and departments have rules about which provider you see first. Ask your supervisor or the adjuster. For mental health care, ask how to find a licensed clinician who works with first responders and whether it is handled through workers' comp.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery may help if you are off duty and not driving.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery and medications often used after work injuries.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your claim for PTSD or another mental health condition is denied or delayed.
- You were hit by a driver or hurt by someone outside the department.
- Your injury may end your career or keep you off the street or truck.
- You feel pressure not to report an injury or to come back before you are ready.
- There are disputes about fitness for duty or a return to full duty.
- You want to understand how a work claim relates to a disability retirement or pension.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan and keep appointments. Physical injuries and trauma reactions both take time, and pushing back too soon can set recovery back.
Departments may offer light or modified duty, such as desk, dispatch or training roles. Get the details in writing and share them with your doctor so they can say whether it fits your restrictions.
Peer support, a trusted clinician and family can all help. Reaching out is not weakness. If things feel too heavy, call or text 988.
Questions to ask
- Is the department injury report the same as a workers' comp claim?
- How does my state handle PTSD claims for first responders?
- Which provider should I see first, and can I choose a mental health clinician?
- Is light or modified duty available, and what would it involve?
- How does a work claim relate to my pension or disability options?
- How are my prescriptions handled?
- Who is my adjuster, and what is my claim number?
If you're hurt on the job
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 or radio for help for gunshot or stab wounds, head injuries, crash injuries, heavy bleeding or trouble breathing.
- 2If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911.
- 3Get evaluated after an assault, a crash or a fall, even if adrenaline hides the pain.
- 4Tell your supervisor or officer in charge and complete your department's injury report in writing. Keep a copy.
- 5Write down the call, the time, the location, your unit and everyone present.
- 6After an exposure to blood or body fluids, follow your department's exposure process and get seen promptly.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Injuries common in police, fire & ems
Other industries
Frequently asked questions
What should police, fire and EMS workers injured on duty do first?
Get medical help, then report the injury to your supervisor in writing using your department's process. Write down the call details and who was present. Keep copies of every form.
Can first responders file a workers' comp claim for PTSD?
In many states they can, but the rules vary a lot. Some states have special rules for first responders and others do not. Talk to a licensed clinician and check with your state's agency or your union.
I was hit by a car while working a roadside scene. What now?
Get emergency care first, then report the injury in writing. Because a driver was involved, there may be questions beyond the work claim. People in this situation often consult an attorney.
Is hearing loss from sirens covered?
It may be, depending on your state and your situation. Tell a clinician about your noise exposure over your career. Report it to your department and ask how to start a claim.
What if I was assaulted on a call?
Get evaluated for physical injuries and tell your supervisor in writing. The emotional effects of an assault are real, and you can ask for mental health support too.
Will reporting a mental health injury hurt my career?
It is a common worry, and the answer depends on your department and state. Many first responders reach out for help and keep working. Ask your union, peer support team or an attorney if you have concerns, and call or text 988 if you are in crisis.
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).