A police officer was injured in an accident in St. Louis County on Friday. The female officer attempted to apprehend a suspect when the vehicle he was driving dragged her several hundred feet. The officer was responding to a reported theft near Lucas and Hunt and Pasadena when the suspect was spotted in a vehicle. The suspect was a passenger in the vehicle and when officers asked the driver to exit the vehicle he obeyed. As the female officer attempted to arrest the suspect, he moved into the drivers' seat and accelerated to flee police. The officer hung onto the vehicle and was dragged along the roadway until she fell from the car. She sustained injuries including fractures to her face. The suspect abandoned the car, and his whereabouts are unknown. The investigation is ongoing.
Police officers are at risk for being injured or killed every day in a work-related accident. Most people would consider this a dangerous job and do not realize that every occupation poses its set of risks that could lead to a workplace injury or accident. According to the Occupation Health and Safety Administration, 4,585 workers lost their lives in 2013 due to work-related accidents. In Missouri, employers with more than five employees, and nearly all constructions companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The insurance covers medical costs and lost wages calculated at a rate of 66.6% of the workers average rate. The difference in wages can add insult to injury making it difficult to pay financial commitments.
If you have been injured at work, contacting an experienced St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney can assist in recovering the full compensation you deserve. The workers’ compensation lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth have helped thousands of workers recover financial compensation for their injuries. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.