5 Hazards Mississippi’s Heroic First Responders Face on the Job, Legal Help for Injured First Responders

There is no doubt that Mississippi would be a much different place without the help and care of its first responders. First responders, who may be firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), or police officers, rush to all types of emergency situations to help injured Mississippians. First responders also are called out while on patrol duty to perform emergency services (such as first aid or CPR), and may even be required to assist in securing a crime scene or handle the victims and perpetrators involved in a suspected crime. Indeed, the role of a first responder is extremely important, but it also is very dangerous, and each day that Mississippi first responders hit the road and the job they are at risk for a litany of injuries that could result in serious disability or even death. But what exactly are the health risks for first responders in Mississippi, and what options does a Mississippi first responder have if he or she is injured on the job and cannot return to regular work? We answer those questions here.

5 Common Hazards Mississippi First Responders Face on the Job

One of the top common hazards that Mississippi first responders face when they are working is lifting and carrying heavy objects and injured persons. First responders are required to lift and carry everything from equipment in bags and on their backs, to human bodies on gurneys and stretchers, or even in their arms. As a result, musculoskeletal injuries are common in the first responder field, and can be serious enough to result in a disabling injury.

Being involved in car accidents and motor vehicle accidents are also risks that first responders take every day on the job. First responders must travel quickly from one location to another and may be injured in a car accident while responding to an emergency situation.

Thirdly, violence and assaults from a variety of individuals is another major health risk for first responders. First responders must interact with a number of different people on the job, and may not always know the dynamics or dangers they are going into until they reach the scene of the emergency.

Another top hazard for first responders in Mississippi is exposure to toxic chemicals and substances. Dealing with a wide range of emergency situations that may even include a harmful, toxic environment puts first responders at risk of developing serious illnesses.

Finally, equipment failures may be first responders at risk for a serious injury. Accordingly, it is important for first responders to always use working equipment in good order, and wear protective gear.

Legal Help for Injured First Responders in Mississippi

If you were injured in a workplace accident in Mississippi, it is important to get help as soon as possible with your Mississippi workers’ compensation claim. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe are here to listen to your story to see if they can help fight to get you Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits due. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today for a free and confidential consultation and learn about your rights and options for free.