Car Accidents Involving Security Officers

Many security guards are assigned a car in which to patrol and respond to incidents, just like police officers. If, as a security officer, you are involved in a car accident while working, then you may have a claim for workers compensation benefits. In addition to that, if the car accident was the fault of another person (and not someone who works with you) then you may also have a third party liability claim!

Workplace accidents involving security officers and other Public Safety professionals are extremely common. Most security guards know about workers comp. claims because, by law, there is a poster at every office and station. However, knowledge that a security officer also has the ability to file a third party liability claim in addition to the workers complain is far less common. If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, don't miss out on this additional claim so that can get the additional compensation that you deserve.

Blaszkow Legal is a unique car accident law firm that practices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, in that we have a team that handles these third party liability cases who have all been in public safety themselves! Call the team that not only understands how to win your case, but has been there, and done that! If you have been hurt as a security officer in Maryland Virginia or DC, call Blaszkow Legal today for a free consultation!

Meet the Public Safety Team!

Our Law Firm includes a dedicated team who specifically help Security Officers, Police Officers, and other Public Safety professionals in all three states of the DMV. Our team has worn a variety of uniforms, in their full-time service as policemen, and also in numerous off-duty security jobs.

Our team is led by attorney C. Ted Asbury, who is a serving police officer in New Mexico and now practices car accident and civil law.

He is assisted by Matt, the firm's investigator, who is also a former law enforcement officer. Matt specialized in accident investigations and traffic enforcement, while serving at both local and state law enforcement agencies.

Workers Compensation versus Third-Party Liability after a Car Accident

After a car accident on duty, you may very well have both claims, as long as the accident in which you were involved was not your fault. This includes Maryland security officers, Maryland special police officers (MD SPOs), DC special police officers (DC SPOs), DC security guards, private investigators, and more.

In order to ensure that your workers comp claim is in no way prejudiced, you need to report the accident to your employer immediately. Generally, this means to your sergeant or supervisor, or other manager. Often, this will include a written report and internal investigation.

Afterwards, you will be in touch with a representative of the workers comp carrier, who is going to help to ensure that you get the treatment that you need. Usually, you are given a panel of three providers from which to choose from. If for example, you need an evaluation by an orthopedist, they will give you a list of names, and you choose one and then stay treating with that doctor.

When you call Blaszkow Legal, we will open up your file, and help you to get specific help from a dedicated workers comp lawyer in Maryland, Virginia, or DC. Workers comp. practice is extremely specialized, in that they have their own set of rules and procedures. Our firm focuses is on the negligence action, but the two teams will keep each other informed, to make sure that you get the best recovery possible.

How is a Car Accident Claim Different from Workers Comp?

Workers compensation is a type of no fault coverage, which means that you will be able to get your medical bills paid even if you as the claimant are somehow responsible for the accident. If, for example, you are on patrol and you drive into a concrete barrier, and are injured, you may still have a workers compensation claim, even though the crash was, arguably, your fault.

A third party liability claim after a car accident, in Maryland DC and Virginia, is governed by who was at fault - some one other than you, the claimant. In a word, we have to investigate "negligence." The three states of the DMV all have a unique law known as contributory negligence. This means that if you are even 1% responsible for the happening of the accident, then you cannot recover from a liability/negligence claim. So in the example above, you may have a workers comp claim but no third party liability claim. However, if while you are on patrol, you are rear-ended at a red light, then you may have both! You will not only have a workers comp claim which will help to pay for all of your medical expenses, you will also have a third party liability claim against the negligent driver that caused your accidents.

Some examples of car accidents where you may have a third-party liability claim as well as worker's compensation claim:

1. You are stopped at a stop light while on patrol, and are rear ended by another car.

2. You are on patrol in a parking lot or garage, and another driver backs out into your squad car.

3. While driving, another driver ignores a traffic control device (stop light, stop sign, etc) and collides with your patrol vehicle.

If you are not sure whether or not you have both a worker's comp claim at a third party liability claim, you need to contact an experienced car accident lawyer right away. So too with your investigations, as with ours: the longer we wait to investigate, the harder it is for us to obtain the evidence that we need to prove that the other person was at fault. Call today anywhere in the DMV: 703-879-5910

Your Claim for Damages after a Workplace Car Accident

What is my case worth? This is the most common question in any car accident case. Your claim is based off of your "damages." Damages that you pursue in a third party liability action is very different than a worker's comp claim. A third party liability claim is quite broad, and makes up more elements than a worker's comp plan. A third party claim after a car accident includes things like:

• Medical expenses

• Future medical expenses

• Time lost from work

• Future time lost from work

• Loss of earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Scarring

• Impairment and activities of daily living

• Disfigurement

• Permanent injury

• Disability

• and more

What is a Worker's Comp. Lien in a Car Accident Case?

Workers comp has a "lien" in any car accident case. We classify this as a reimbursement interest. This means that the workers compensation carrier is allowed to send some paperwork to us, saying that they wish to be paid back for benefits that they paid out, such as medical expenses and disability payments. This is totally within the law.

However, the workers complain only exists if there is a third party liability claim. If the third party liability claim has to be closed for some reason, due to negligence or some other factor, then there is no workers comp lean. They are not going to come after you for the money. They are not allowed.

It is important to remember that the workers complaining does have to take a statutory reduction for the attorney's fees and expenses in the third party liability case. That means that whatever number they claim, they're going to have to reduce that number, on average, up to 33%.

Call an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer if You Have Been Injured at Work!

Security officers have an extremely dangerous job, and many security officers are hurt everyday, from Baltimore to Fredericksburg. However, security officer injuries do not receive the same publicity as law enforcement, and these injuries and even deaths are often not reported by the news. You don't need to feel left out. Our team can help you get the justice and compensation that you deserve, if a negligent driver has injured you.

Call Blaszkow Legal right after a security workplace accident, so we can help you speak to an experienced workers compensation lawyer, and begin prosecuting your third party liability claim. There is no risk or cost to you. Call today!

Alexandria/DMV Office:
5270 Shawnee Road #102, Alexandria, Va. 22312
703-879-5910

Richmond Office:
7824 Shrader Road, Richmond, Va. 23294
804-273-8929

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