Recently, a corrections officer at Riker’s Island was injured after two inmates attacked him and threw scalding liquid in his face. The liquid was comprised of corrosive cleaning chemicals that caused him to suffer second and third degree burns. Just a week prior to this attack, another corrections officer required 26 stitches across his face following an attack by two inmates. The assault ensued when the inmates held the officer down in a chokehold and slashed his face with a knife.
Correction officers have dangerous jobs, and one of the highest rates of nonfatal work related injuries of any occupation, nationwide. Across the country, in 2011, there were 254 work related injuries per 10,000 full time employees that were caused by assaults and other violent acts by inmates. Most of the assaults also involved dangerous objects. One-third of the injuries occurred as a result of restraining or interacting with an inmate during an altercation.
In New York City jails alone, there were 108 stabbings and slashings of corrections officers by inmates that occurred in fiscal year 2015. This is twenty more than occurred in fiscal year 2014, and 67 more than had occurred in 2011. However, the number of injuries classified as “serious” dropped from 53 to 43 from 2014 to 2015.
If you are a corrections officer and have suffered injury related to your employment which now limits your ability to work, you may be entitled to a disability pension or Workers’ Compensation. Contact an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney who can best advise you of your legal rights and remedies. The attorneys at McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson & Riordan, LLP have experience representing clients before Workers’ Compensation boards throughout New York City and Long Island, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. For a consultation, call (866)557-7500.
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