Officer Vasquez v City of Jacksonville
- Officer Vasquez appeared at accident site wherein a fellow officer was fatally injured.
- Officer Vasquez developed PTSD symptoms in the months follow the exposure to the fatal scene.
- Officer Vasquez was diagnoses with PTSD almost 8 months after the exposure.
- Stephen P. Kelly was able to obtain line of duty benefits after a trial in front of the Jacksonville Police Pension Board.
- Stephen P. Kelly was able to secure PSEBA benefits for Officer Vasquez and his family.
- Finally, Stephen P. Kelly tried Officer Vasquez Workers Compensation.
- Prior to the Workers Compensation trial, the City of Jacksonville offer approximate $115,000 to settle the Workers compensation case.
- The offer was rejected, and the case was tried.
The verdict:
ORDER
- The City of Jacksonville shall pay the Petitioner TTD benefits from September 19, 2017, through May 18, 2022, or 243 and 1/7 weeks, at his weekly rate of $822.64.
- The City of Jacksonville shall pay permanent partial disability benefits of $740.38/week for 175 weeks, because the injuries sustained caused a 35% loss of use to Petitioner’s man as a whole, pursuant to Section 8(d)2.
- The City of Jacksonville shall pay Petitioner compensation that has accrued from May 18, 2022, through the date of this award, and shall pay the remainder of the award, if any, in weekly payments.
- The City of Jacksonville shall pay all medical charges related to this claim, for Petitioner’s reasonable and necessary medical treatment.
- The City of Jacksonville shall pay all medical charges consistent with the medical fee schedule, and pursuant to Sections 8(a) and 8.2 of the Act.
- The City of Jacksonville shall make this payment directly to Petitioner’s attorney in accordance with Section 9080.20 of the Rules Governing Practice before the IWCC.
- The City of Jacksonville shall provide and pay for Petitioner’s ongoing reasonable, necessary, and related follow up psychiatric visits, medications, and EMDR.
- Total awarded in monies over $330,000 to Officer Vasquez.