• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

"Justice for the injured worker"

Compensación al trabajador > EnglishSpanish
602-234-3700
Call Today For A Free Initial Consultation
  • About Us
    • Attorneys
    • Meet the staff
    • Community
  • Workers’ Compensation
    • Benefits for injured workers
    • Am I eligible to apply?
    • My claim was denied.
    • Is PTSD covered?
    • Workers’ compensation guide
  • Work injuries
    • Back injury at work
    • Car accidents
    • Truck accidents
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Shoulder injury
    • Slip and fall
    • View all
  • We Represent
    • Firefighters
    • Police
    • Paramedics
    • Professional Athletes
    • View all
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Reviews
    • Videos
  • FAQ
  • Contact

Arizona PTSD Case Sets Precedent in Favor of Police, Firefighters & First Responders

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob, Arizona Work Injury Lawyer
phone icon (602) 234-3700 Schedule an Appointment
Phoenix Job Injury Attorney (Home) > Blog > Firm News > Arizona PTSD Case Sets Precedent in Favor of Police, Firefighters & First Responders

May 20, 2019

Phoenix, AZ (May 20, 2019) – A critical appeals case was recently decided in favor of police, firefighters and first responders on March 21st by the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Officer Benjamin Pitts suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and filed a workers’ compensation claim as soon as he was diagnosed by his treating psychologist. However, the administrative law judge in the case dismissed the officer’s claim as an untimely filing because he displayed some PTSD symptoms. According to the judge, he “knew or should have known he has PTSD” and should have filed his workers’ compensation case earlier.

Officer Pitts filed an appeal and the court agreed to overturn the previous ruling.

“This is a significant case for all police, firefighters and first responders,” said attorney Wisniewski, a certified workers’ compensation specialist in Arizona who represented Officer Pitts against the City of Chandler.

First responders, including police officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters and state troopers, can suffer from PTSD as a result of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events in the line of duty. In as many as 90% of PTSD cases, the patient experiences another mental or behavioral disorder such as depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, personality disorder, social anxiety disorder or increased risk of suicide.

If you’ve been injured in the line of duty, personally experienced, witnessed or been confronted with a traumatic event in the workplace resulting in PTSD, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Contact Attorney Robert E. Wisniewski
Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist of the Arizona State Bar

Free Consultation

A decade ago, Wisniewski was responsible for litigating the first police PTSD case acknowledged by Arizona Law at the Industrial Commission of Arizona. Since then, Wisniewski has successfully represented several police, firefighters and first responders in their PTSD claims and has become a nationally recognized attorney expert in the prosecution of these complex workers’ compensation matters.

While this is a significant case denominated as an opinion (which means it can be cited as precedential value by lawyers assisting other officers), the officers still face a difficult burden of proof established in the Arizona statute. The event that causes the post traumatic stress must be a substantial contributing cause of the PTSD and arise out of an unusual, extraordinary and unexpected event. This statute creates an almost insurmountable burden for police, firefighters and first responders attempting to get psychiatric or psychological benefits under the Arizona’s current workers’ compensation system.

“In order to provide much deserved benefits to the brave men and women who serve as police, firefighters and first responders throughout Arizona, this statute needs to be changed, plain and simple,” said Wisniewski.

AZ Hurt on the Job Legal team

About Robert E. Wisniewski

Robert E. Wisniewski is a certified workers’ compensation specialist by the State Bar of Arizona, and he was named a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers — the only claimants’ lawyer in Arizona so honored. Mr. Wisniewski has one mission: “justice for the injured worker.” For over 43 years, Bob has devoted his practice to representing Arizona injured workers in more than 12,000 Industrial Commission hearings state-wide. Bob has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters. He’s also been recognized by Best Lawyers (AZ & NM – Workers’ Compensation Law), Client Choice, and Phoenix Magazine (Phoenix Top Attorney). He is an active member of the legal community, writing and lecturing on all aspects of workers’ compensation law.

For more information, visit https://www.azhurtonthejob.com/.

Contact
Rebecca Leonardi
Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski
(602) 418-9948
rleonardi@azhurtonthejob.com

Related resources

  • PTSD Lawyers Explain Arizona Workers' Compensation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
    PTSD Lawyers Explain Arizona Workers' Compensation…
  • Arizona Workplace Electrical Accidents & Injuries
    Arizona Workplace Electrical Accidents & Injuries
  • Injured on the Job? Read AZ Workers’ Compensation FAQ
    Injured on the Job? Read AZ Workers’ Compensation FAQ
5-star review image
Many thanks to you and your staff!
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Workers' comp
2020-03-27
"I was injured at work in 2009. Over my 10+ years of representation by Bob, I've had multiple surgeries and ..."
T. M., Verified Customer
5-star review image
Integrity, Care and Compassion
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Integrity, Care and Compassion
2019-07-16
"Mr. Wisniewski, I hope this letter expresses my faith in your firm that you continue to fight and ..."
K.S., Verified Customer
5-star review image
Exceptional service throughout
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Workers' comp
2020-03-27
"I have worked with Bob for just over 3 years now and it has been exceptional service throughout. He ..."
C.C., Verified Customer

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Community
  • Firm News
  • Work Injuries & Illnesses
  • Workers' Comp 101
  • Workers' Comp FAQs
  • Workplace Safety Tips

Recent Posts

  • Arizona Grocery Store Workers Report Mental Health Struggles from COVID-19
  • CDC Study Suggest Further Protections Needed for Minor Workers
  • What To Do in Arizona if You Contract COVID-19 At Work
  • The Erosion of Workers’ Comp Benefits
    in America

Footer

DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH AN EXPERIENCED WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWYER TODAY

CALL: (602) 234-3700
TOLL FREE IN AZ: (800) 224-3220
FAX: (602) 230-7579

Law Office Locations

Phoenix

519 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Map and Directions

Yuma

1455 W. 16th Street A2
Yuma, AZ 85364
Map and Directions

Kingman

2601 Stockton Hill Rd, Suite H-8
Kingman, AZ 86401
Map and Directions

    Get started with a free consultation



    Disclaimer: If you are not a current client of Law Offices of Robert E Wisniewski, PC, sending him or this site an email will not create an attorney/client relationship and the information you send may not be maintained as confidential. Please contact Mr. Wisniewski's office by telephone to arrange a consultation or complete a Consultation Intake Form. Viewing this website information also does not create an attorney/client relationship. This website is governed by the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.

    I have read the disclaimer. *
    Privacy Policy

    © 2021 Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.

    Part of the Enjuris Network

    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Youtube icon