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In February, a 34-year-old Pennsylvania man was bravely performing his job as a firefighter when a house fire became uncontrollable. Severe burns covered the man’s body as the fire instantaneously consumed a room in the house. He was left unconscious, but his fellow rescue workers were able to pull him out of the blaze.
Eventually, the firefighter gained consciousness in a hospital, but the catastrophic injuries took a toll. So far, the man has been through eight operations to graft his skin and has lost a total of 40 pounds since the workplace accident. Thankfully, however, the man returned to his home, but the recovery will continue.
The severe burn injuries have proved to leave physical and emotional scars. In fact, the firefighter recalls many times that he’s dreamt about the rescue attempt and his injuries. Apparently, he can’t remember all of the details, but some remain etched in his mind. At the same time, many of the physical tasks that once were easy have been made difficult by the burns. Even buttoning his shirt wasn’t a simple task immediately after being released from the hospital.
In many cases, individuals who are injured on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Since the firefighter is a municipal employee, however, the process to receive benefits for his near-fatal injuries may be a bit different. Workers’ compensation law is complex enough by itself, so the hope is that the firefighter receives the financial support he and his family needs.
Being compensated for a work-related injury is often more than just helping to cover medical expenses. In fact, workers’ compensation can also cover wages lost during recovery and any training that is needed to return to the job.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Pa. firefighter’s recovery grueling but inspiring,” Cindy Stauffer, May 26, 2013