Wilmington Firefighter Injury Lawyer

Wilmington Firefighter Injury Attorney

The Wilmington Fire Department has a dangerous and crucial mission to protect the local community when fires break out. The Wilmington Fire Department Headquarters on Market Street and multiple fire stations in the area are responsible for quickly responding to fire emergencies, and firefighters have a very high risk of injury on the job. If you have been hurt in this line of work, you need to speak with a Wilmington firefighter injury lawyer right away.

Representing Injured Firefighters in Wilmington, NC

The attorneys at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can help you make sense of your legal options in the aftermath of any work-related injury in Wilmington and the surrounding communities of North Carolina. We also know the unique legal issues that injured firefighters often face in their efforts to recover from work-related injuries and illnesses, and we can help our clients determine whether they are eligible for special benefit programs reserved for firefighters in North Carolina.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that in 2023, there were an estimated 63,175 firefighter injuries throughout the United States, and 18,875 of these injuries occurred in active firegrounds. Firefighters face many risks of injury and illness while performing their job duties, including:

• Severe burns, which can occur even while wearing high-quality turnout gear
• Lung damage from smoke inhalation
• Injuries from falls or collapsing structures, such as broken bones or crushing injuries
• Injuries from vehicle accidents
• Occupational diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory illness
• Illness from toxic exposure while fighting fires in dangerous locations

These are just a few examples of the dangers firefighters face from this difficult job. If you have been hurt while working as a firefighter or if you have developed any type of illness from performing your job duties, you need to hire a firefighter injury lawyer right away so they can help you recover compensation.

Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can carefully review the details of your situation to determine your most viable recovery options. We have successfully guided many past clients through the workers’ compensation claim-filing process and can help you secure the benefits you need to recover as much as possible. Our team can also provide legal representation if you have grounds for a third-party personal injury case or wrongful death claim in Wilmington.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Firefighting Injury in Wilmington

In North Carolina, almost every employer is required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and almost every employee is covered if they suffer an injury in the workplace while performing their job duties. After any work-related injury, the victim should seek medical care right away, and their employer must document the injury in an incident report and provide the worker with the materials needed to file a workers’ compensation claim.

As part of the claim-filing process in Wilmington, the injured worker will likely need to undergo a functional capacity evaluation from a workers’ compensation doctor. The doctor will determine the severity of their condition and their ability to work in the future and assign them a disability rating. This rating will be a major reference point in the insurance company’s determination of benefits.

A workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina will typically yield two forms of compensation for the injured worker. First, the insurance carrier will pay for all of the medical treatment the worker needs to reach maximum medical recovery. This can include the cost of ongoing care if they suffer a serious injury. Second, the insurance company will pay disability benefits while the claimant is unable to work during their recovery.

Your Wilmington firefighter injury lawyer can guide you through the claim-filing process, resolve any disputes you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier, and make sure that you receive a fair determination of benefits. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can also see if you qualify for special benefits programs reserved for firefighters or if you have grounds to pursue legal action outside of the workers’ compensation system.

Enhancing Your Recovery in Wilmington

In North Carolina, an injured worker typically cannot sue their employer for a workplace injury except under specific circumstances. Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to be the sole remedy for work-related illness and injury.

However, if a third party outside of your work caused your injury, you may have grounds for a third-party personal injury case, such as if a driver caused an accident and injured you while driving to or from fighting a fire. This could enable you to recover compensation for damages that workers’ compensation insurance won’t cover, such as your pain and suffering.

It is also possible for you and your family to claim workers’ compensation death benefits if a family member has died from a firefighting injury or illness. The NFPA reported 62 firefighter fatalities throughout the United States in 2024, 51 of which occurred in on-duty incidents. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can provide compassionate legal counsel if you have lost a family member this way.

Find Your Wilmington Firefighter Injury Lawyer Today

Whether you have been injured in the line of duty as a firefighter, been diagnosed with an occupational disease acquired from fighting fires in Wilmington, or you have lost a loved one in a fatal firefighting accident, the team at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can provide compassionate and results-driven legal counsel for all stages of your recovery.

You have limited time to pursue workers’ compensation benefits or a civil claim for damages in response to a firefighting injury in Wilmington. When you choose our firm to represent you, we can carefully review the details of your situation, accurately determine your most viable recovery options, and fight for maximum compensation for you.

The aftermath of your firefighting injury can be traumatic and confusing, so you need to hire a firefighter injury lawyer with proven experience to help you recover. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can help in this difficult situation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Wilmington firefighter injury lawyer and learn how we can assist you with your case. We look forward to helping you recover.