Public Safety Officers
Police officers, deputies, firefighters, correctional officers and other public safety employees have a distinct set of workers’ compensation rights. Presumptions in the Labor Code treat certain heart conditions, cancers, hernias, PTSD and other conditions as job-related. Labor Code section 4850 provides up to a year of full salary in place of temporary disability. Disability retirement runs through a separate system altogether.
These articles follow the legislation and court decisions that affect public safety officers, and offer practical guidance on protecting a claim.
Our guides on this topic
All 20 articles
- WORKERS' COMPENSATION UPDATE: Presumption of Injury for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Peace Officers and FirefightersLearn how California's PTSD presumption law for firefighters and peace officers improves access to Workers' Compensation benefits and psychological injury treatment.
- New Laws Starting in 2023 Improve Benefits for Legally Presumptive Injuries for Public Safety OfficersSenate Bill 1127 improves the rights and benefits afforded to specified members of law enforcement and firefighters who suffer from legally presumptive injuries.
- Salary Continuation Bill for CalFire Approved by Governor NewsomLaw Assembly Bill 151 makes changes to Labor Code Section 4811 to give Calfire firefighters up to one year of salary continuation benefits.
- GEK Continues Its Support of the Police Unity TourIn 2021, GEKLAW continued its long-time support of the Police Unity Tour, honoring fallen officers and their families during the Southern California ride.
- New Law Tackles Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderNew California law makes PTSD a presumptive work-related injury for police officers and firefighters, expanding workers' compensation protections.
- Dissecting Labor Code 4850 Benefits: What is Included, What is Not?An article explaining California Labor Code 4850, how it applies to injured public safety officers, and what counts as full salary benefits.
- New Worker's Compensation Laws Positively Impact First RespondersCalifornia enacted AB 1749 and SB 1086 to expand workers' compensation and death benefits for peace officers, firefighters, and other first responders.
- Exploring the Legalities of the Blank Medical Release FormPublic safety officers should never sign a blank medical release form. Learn what HIPAA requires for valid authorizations and how to protect your privacy under workers' compensation law.
- Appellate Court Reverses Extension of Labor Code Section 4850 Salary Continuation/TTD Payments Beyond Five Years from Date of InjuryCalifornia's 4th District Court of Appeals decided the WCAB erred in awarding TTD benefits more than five years after the date of injury.
- The Patrol-Admin Dichotomy: Promoting to a Position with Administrative and Law Enforcement Responsibilities (and Stress)Administrative work for public safety officers poses unique—and stressful—challenges.
- Public Safety Officers Can Protect Themselves by Working Out WiselyAre public safety officers' off-duty injuries covered by California's workers' compensation system? There isn't a clear-cut answer.
- PTSD—Take it SeriouslyThe job of a police officer poses many psychological challenges that can negatively impact one's mental health.
- Legislative Update: Keeping the Public Safety Community InformedKey 2014 California legislative updates affecting public safety employees, including bills AB 1035, AB 2378, and SB 1234.
- GEK Attorney Fights the Good Fight and Wins for a Sheriff's DeputyGEKLAW attorney Jill Singer secured a major lifetime benefits settlement for a Santa Barbara sheriff's deputy after a work-related chiropractic adjustment caused a stroke.
- Court Rules on Cases Involving Public Safety OfficersThe 3rd District Court of Appeal ruled on cases involving public safety officers, addressing Labor Code 4850 pay disputes and temporary disability benefits for volunteer peace officers.
- It Takes a Team to Handle Hazardous BusinessAttorney Steven R. Scardino explains the dangers faced by first responders handling hazardous-substance emergencies and their right to just compensation.
- Be Extra Vigilant and Work Safe--How Realignment Affects YouReorganization of California's state prison system leads to increased risk of injury for police and correctional officers.
- GEK Sponsors the Police Unity Tour, Southern California Chapter VIIGEKLAW attorneys participated in the 2012 Police Unity Tour to honor fallen officers and support their families.
- Court Rules that Correctional Officer's Off-Duty Injury Was Job-RelatedA California court ruled that a correctional officer's off-duty fitness injury was job-related because regular exercise was required for the job.
- Appeal Court Decision Upholds Injured Deputy's Award for Continuous Trauma ClaimsThe California Court of Appeal ruled that Riverside County is liable for a deputy sheriff's continuous trauma injuries, setting a precedent for law enforcement claims.
