Ortwerth Law, LLC is based in St. Louis, Missouri, but we work with first responders around the State of Missouri and in Southern Illinois who have been injured both on and off duty.
We have experience handling complex legal cases involving first responders who have been injured while working and we have helped maximize the compensation they receive for their injuries or illnesses. Whether it is car accident injuries or workers’ compensation for first responders in Missouri, Ortwerth Law would be happy to assist you with your case.
Protecting Missouri’s First Responders After Serious Injuries
First responders in Missouri—such as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics—face unique hazards every day in the line of duty. Whether rushing to an emergency scene or attending to those in need, they risk injury in some of the most dangerous circumstances imaginable. When a serious injury takes a first responder off the job, the physical, financial, and emotional toll can be profound.
At Ortwerth Law, we are committed to serving the men and women who protect our communities. Our role as personal injury attorneys is to advocate for injured first responders and help them access the justice and compensation they deserve. While many assume injuries are strictly “work comp” matters, first responders are often eligible to pursue broader personal injury claims outside the workers’ compensation system—especially when their injuries are the result of another party’s negligence, such as in car accidents or public safety failures.
Why First Responders in Missouri Need Specialized Legal Support
First responders in Missouri frequently find themselves involved in high-risk situations outside of their primary job duties—responding to crashes, navigating hazardous spaces, or being present in unpredictable environments. The unique nature of their work means that injuries can occur in a variety of ways, including:
- Being struck by vehicles during roadside emergencies
- Collisions involving emergency vehicles and other drivers
- Slips, trips, and falls at accident sites
- Assaults or attacks when responding to calls
- Exposure to hazardous substances
Unlike many traditional employees, first responders must often make split-second decisions with lives on the line, which can expose them to greater legal complexity and more severe injuries than the average worker.
Common Personal Injury Scenarios Facing Missouri’s First Responders
- Car Accidents: While driving or responding in emergency vehicles, first responders are frequently put at risk by distracted, reckless, or careless drivers who fail to yield or respect “Move Over” laws.
- Collisions with Emergency Vehicles: Civilian drivers who disregard the right-of-way or ignore flashing lights can cause high-speed, high-impact crashes with devastating results.
- On-Scene Hazards: Responders entering dangerous scenes may face unsafe premises, falling objects, or unstable structures, leading to injuries outside the direct context of their job.
- Physical Attacks or Assaults: Law enforcement officers, in particular, face higher rates of assault and battery while engaged in their duties.
- Exposure to Toxins or Infectious Agents: Firefighters and paramedics often encounter hazardous chemicals, smoke, or biological matter at incident sites.
Missouri Personal Injury Law: Opportunities for First Responders
The Distinction Between Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury
Missouri workers’ compensation provides important coverage for employment-related injuries and illnesses. However, it does not always fully compensate injured responders for pain and suffering, future loss of earnings, or the costs of long-term medical care.
Personal injury lawsuits in Missouri allow injured first responders to seek compensation when their injuries are caused by a third party’s negligence or wrongful conduct—such as a reckless driver, property owner, or manufacturer. These cases are handled in civil court, offering the opportunity to secure compensation that may not be available under workers’ compensation, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Proving Negligence: The Key to Recovery
The foundation of any personal injury case in Missouri is negligence. For a first responder to recover damages from a third party, they must typically show that:
- A duty of care was owed (e.g., a driver must yield to emergency vehicles, property owners must keep premises safe).
- That duty was breached (e.g., ignoring traffic laws, failing to secure hazards).
- The breach caused injury to the responder.
- Damages resulted (medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering).
These elements must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Our team works to recover, analyze, and present the evidence needed to build a compelling case on behalf of injured first responders.
The “Good Samaritan” Law – Important but Limited
Missouri’s Good Samaritan Law is designed to protect first responders when they provide emergency medical assistance. However, it primarily shields first responders from being sued for reasonable mistakes made during emergency treatment. It does not stop first responders, themselves, from pursuing personal injury claims against at-fault parties when they are victims of negligence during the scope of their duties.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases for Missouri First Responders
Car and Truck Accident Lawsuits for First Responders
Roadway incidents are among the leading causes of serious injury (and even death) for first responders. Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics spend significant time on the road, and a single moment of driver inattention or recklessness by a civilian can have catastrophic consequences.
- High-Speed Collisions: Emergency vehicles often travel at higher speeds and, combined with inattentive or aggressive civilian drivers, the risk of a high-impact car accident increases.
- “Move Over” Law Violations: Missouri’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles stopped or working on the roadside. Failure to follow this law can create dangerous conditions and lead directly to personal injury claims.
- Rear-End or Side-Swipe Crashes: These often occur when drivers fail to yield at intersections or do not recognize the urgency of approaching emergency vehicles.
Slip and Fall and Premises Liability
Responders often enter unknown or hazardous environments quickly. Dangerous property conditions—unshoveled sidewalks, loose debris, slippery floors, unstable structures—can cause serious falls, fractures, and head injuries.
If a dangerous condition existed due to the property owner’s negligence and the responder was not aware or warned, a personal injury claim may be viable.
Assault and Battery
Responders can be injured by intentional acts—particularly police officers and EMTs who enter volatile situations. In such cases, both criminal and civil claims may be available, and our attorneys pursue routes that maximize both accountability and compensation for our clients.
Product Liability
Firefighters and EMTs rely on specialized equipment. If a defective piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), apparatus, or vehicle part fails and causes injury, a product liability claim may be pursued against the manufacturer or supplier.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Due to the nature of emergencies, first responders are sometimes exposed to circumstances that result in severe and life-changing injuries—traumatic brain injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and severe burns. Our law firm takes a comprehensive approach to such cases, ensuring that all current and future needs (including ongoing rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and home care) are fully addressed as part of the compensation sought.
Steps First Responders Should Take After an Injury
First responders are trained to act quickly for others—but after their own injury, it’s vital to prioritize personal health and legal rights. Here’s what to do:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel you can “push through,” have all injuries evaluated and documented promptly.
- Report the Incident: Complete all department-required reporting and make note of details (location, time, witnesses, vehicles or bystanders involved).
- Collect Evidence: Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and any obvious hazards or injuries. Obtain contact information for witnesses.
- Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: Before discussing your case or agreeing to a statement with an insurance company or third party, consult an attorney familiar with personal injury law for first responders. Legal guidance is crucial for preserving your options under state law.
- Avoid Signing Quick Settlements: Insurance companies may attempt to settle serious claims for far less than their actual value, especially in the days or weeks after an injury.
Key Details About Missouri’s Personal Injury Laws
Missouri law is considered “plaintiff-friendly” in many respects. State statutes permit:
Comparative Fault: You can recover damages even if you are partially at fault; your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Broad Damage Categories: Both economic and non-economic damages are recognized, including compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress in addition to lost wages and medical costs.
No Damage Caps in Most Cases: Missouri does not cap damages in standard personal injury cases (except for certain medical malpractice claims), allowing for full compensation depending on your losses.
St. Louis—a major hub for first responders—has a complex legal environment. Local courts, insurance adjusters, and defense attorneys often handle cases that set statewide precedents. Hiring attorneys with local knowledge and experience is crucial for optimizing case outcomes in the city and the broader region.
Car Accidents Attorneys for First Responders
The city’s crowded highways, frequent construction, and busy intersections are common sites for first responder injuries. Local studies confirm that the majority of roadway collisions involving emergency vehicles happen due to civilian driver error—often failure to yield or properly navigate around on-scene responders.
St. Louis has seen an uptick in distracted driving car accident lawsuits, often involving cell phone use behind the wheel. This poses specific threat to first responders attending roadside incidents or traveling with lights and sirens activated.
Local agencies and organizations in St. Louis may be self-insured or have unique liability rules. It’s essential that personal injury attorneys who serve St. Louis first responders understand the city’s legal system, court procedures, and insurance climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was injured while responding to an emergency?
Yes, if another party—such as a reckless driver or negligent property owner—caused your injuries, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim, in addition to any available workers’ compensation benefits for first responders.
What if I am partly at fault for the accident?
Missouri’s comparative fault rule allows you to recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the incident. Your recovery will be reduced in proportion to your own degree of fault.
Are there time limits for filing a personal injury claim?
Yes. In Missouri, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is five years from the date of the injury. However, some exceptions may apply, such as claims involving government agencies or minors, which may have shorter or longer deadlines.
What should I do if the at-fault party is another first responder or a government entity?
The process for pursuing personal injury claims can be more complex when a governmental agency is involved, due to sovereign immunity rules. However, exceptions often apply, especially if the injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident involving department vehicles. Consult with attorneys experienced in these cases for advice on the best way to proceed.
How Ortwerth Law Advocates for Injured First Responders in St. Louis and around the State of Missouri
Experience That Matters
Ortwerth Law has a long history of standing up for Missouri’s first responders and public safety professionals. Our attorneys bring decades of experience handling the unique legal challenges faced in these cases, including:
- Auto accidents involving emergency vehicles
- Premises liability and slip/trip and fall cases on public or private property
- Assault and battery incidents encountered on duty or in uniform
- Exposure to unsafe conditions leading to injury or illness
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no legal fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
Our firm prioritizes personal attention, thorough investigation, and aggressive representation. We coordinate with expert witnesses, crash investigators, medical providers, and others as needed to build the strongest possible case.
Statewide Representation
While we are deeply entrenched in the St. Louis region, our attorneys serve clients throughout Missouri. Whether you are a local firefighter, a rural sheriff’s deputy, or a paramedic in a small town, we are ready to help.
Contact Ortwerth Law Today
If you or a loved one is a first responder injured in a car accident or another personal injury incident anywhere in Missouri, don’t face the legal system alone. Let our experienced team evaluate your claim, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us now for a free, confidential case consultation. We honor your service by providing the high-level legal care you need in your time of need.
