Firefighters put their health and safety at risk every day. Often they are required to put their own lives on the line in order to ensure the safety of others in the community. Due to the vigorous and demanding nature of their job, firefighters are exposed to unique types of high-risk situations. Firefighters may be injured during training exercises, on the road, or while on the scene responding to emergency situations.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 62,085 firefighter injuries were reported in the U.S. in 2016. Of these injuries, 24,325 occurred at the fireground.

Strains and Sprains

Strains and sprains are the most common injury for firefighters as they are required to handle bulky firefighting equipment in rapidly changing conditions. In 2016, strains and sprains accounted for 46% of injuries received during fireground operations.

Hazardous Exposure

In 2016, there were an estimated 36,475 documented exposures to hazardous conditions (e.g. asbestos, chemicals, fumes, etc). This amounts to 1 exposure per 30 hazardous condition runs by fire departments.

Vehicular Accidents

In 2016, there was an estimated 15,425 collisions involving fire department emergency vehicles responding to or returning from incidents.

Injuries can leave Illinois firefighters with permanent, life-altering conditions. If you have been injured as a result of your job, it is extremely important to seek immediate medical care and to speak with an experienced workers comp attorney as soon as possible. At Krol, Bongiorno & Given, we have handled well over 30,000 claims for injured workers throughout the state of Illinois. For immediate help with a work injury case, call (312) 726-5567 for a free consultation or contact us online.