Average Police Firefighter Injury Claims in California 2025

By Marc S. Wiesner

  |  

Settlements

  |  

Last Modified on Oct 30, 2025

Police and firefighters enter their professions with an understanding that their work is dangerous. Every day they go to work, they risk their lives. For this reason, California personal injury laws include specific provisions to protect these workers. The Division of Workers’ Compensation, or the DWC, ensures coverage for the average police firefighter injury claims in California. Many police and firefighters who are injured on the job hire a firefighter injury lawyer to help them secure benefits in California.

Police Injuries Nationwide

In 2024, a report by the US Department of Justice showed that 28,789 officers suffered injuries after being assaulted on the job. Of those incidents, 7,322 involved police officers injured while responding to simple assaults against non-police individuals. Drugs and narcotics-related incidents were also cited, with 5,294 police injuries. Other injuries police officers sustained on the job were often the result of responding to shoplifting, burglary, and stolen property calls.

The same report indicated 501 officers were reported to have been injured or assaulted by firearms in 2023. This represented a 10-year high for these types of police injuries, but this number dropped to 457 in 2024.

Firefighter Injuries Nationwide

About 30% of firefighter injuries, occur on the fireground, making it the most common type of injury. In 2023, this accounted for about 18,875 injuries. These injuries included sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for 40% of these types and mostly resulting from falls, slips, jumps, or trips.

Chemical burns or fire burns occurred in 15% of fireground injuries. Smoke and gas inhalation, thermal stress, and heart attacks/strokes account for the remainder of fireground injuries.

The total number of firefighter injuries for that same year was 63,175. Besides fireground injuries, other job-related injuries occurred in non-fireground situations. Fire truck accidents were the most common. In 2023, 19,255 collisions occurred while firefighters were responding to or returning from calls. These accidents resulted in 1,450 injuries, accounting for 57% of non-fireground injuries that year. Training and other on-duty activities injuries were also cited.

No More Suffering in Silence

One of the most unreported injuries of police and fire workers is PTSD. The stigma surrounding mental health issues in the past has made talking about the trauma these workers endure taboo. However, more first responders are coming forward to address their mental health problems that stem from the stress and trauma they’ve experienced as a part of their job duties.

California Senate Bill 542 illuminated the public health crisis of PTSD in firefighters and police officers. The legislation extended a presumption that PTSD in first responders was automatically deemed work-related. This made eligible workers’ comp claimants suffering from PTSD eligible for full workplace injury compensation benefits.

Why Choose Us?

At Wiesner English, P.C., our personal injury lawyers set a standard that sets us apart from other firms. We uphold a perfect balance of professionalism, kindness, and integrity that is instilled in our day-to-day operations. We genuinely care about our clients and take the time to explain what is going on with their cases, updating them regularly and thoroughly answering their questions. See the difference for yourself in your first consultation.

FAQs

Can I Get Disability for PTSD?

Yes, you can get disability for PTSD. This is especially true for first responders in California, as newer legislation has illuminated the existence of PTSD in the industries of law enforcement and firefighting, specifically. In fact, legislation from 2019 provided automatic acceptance of all previously denied PTSD claims from first responders.

What Is the Most Common Workers’ Comp Settlement for Firefighters?

According to a study that analyzed 16 years of firefighter workers’ compensation claims, the most commonly cited injury was overexertion due to outside sources. The second most frequently cited injury in these workers’ compensation claims was being struck by objects or equipment. The most commonly diagnosed ailments among these claims were sprains of the back, lower extremities, and upper extremities.

What Is the Most Common Injury Suffered by Working Firefighters?

The most common injuries suffered by working firefighters include sprains, strains, and muscular pain injuries. The majority of these injuries occur on the fireground. The most common causes of these injuries are overexertion, falls, slips, or jumps. Surprisingly, injuries incurred from fire-related effects, such as chemical or fire burns, inhalation of gas or smoke, or thermal stress, account for less than 10% of fire-related injuries, according to FEMA.

What Happens if You Get Injured as a Firefighter?

If you get injured as a firefighter, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages, like any other worker. In California, you are specifically entitled to medical care and replacement of lost wages. If you get injured as a firefighter in the line of duty or while on duty, you should report the incident and your injury using Form DWC-1 immediately. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer right away is also advised.

What Are the Majority of Law Enforcement Injuries?

The majority of law enforcement injuries can be attributed to incidents of assault, transportation accidents, and training accidents. The most common injuries that result from these include sprains, strains, contusions, and abrasions.

Many law enforcement officers suffer from injuries that can’t be seen, such as psychosocial stress following the trauma they experience on the job. There are far more incidents of PTSD than are actually reported, though education and resources for workplace-induced mental strain and stress are increasing.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case

Wiesner English, P.C., a personal injury law firm, has successfully represented countless police and firefighter injury claims. We are prepared to work hard for the compensation you deserve for your injury. Whether we have to aggressively negotiate with insurance companies or fiercely litigate on your behalf in a California Superior Court, we are prepared. Connect with us and schedule an appointment to meet with a member of our legal team to get started on your claim.