One Deputy Killed, One Injured in Courthouse Shooting in Iberville Parish
A tragic shooting at the Iberville Parish Courthouse in Plaquemine claimed the life of one deputy and left another gravely wounded this week on Monday. According to local news reports, the incident occurred Monday evening during an interview in connection with an unrelated sexual assault investigation. One deputy was fatally shot, and Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi’s son, Deputy Brett Stassi Jr., was critically injured and transported to a hospital in Baton Rouge. Authorities say the suspect obtained a weapon during the interview and opened fire. The suspect later died from a gunshot wound. The Louisiana State Police now lead the investigation into the incident. The violent event has sparked public grief and serious questions about protections and compensation for law enforcement injured in the line of duty. Here we explain how workers’ compensation laws entitle law enforcement officers who have been injured on the job to compensation, and where to turn for legal help with your Louisiana workers’ compensation case.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Louisiana: How Do They Help Injured Law Enforcement Officers?
Louisiana laws entitle law enforcement officers who have been injured in the line of duty to workers’ compensation benefits. As Louisiana workers’ compensation laws make clear, “Any law enforcement officer employed by any municipality, who, while on or off duty, and outside his jurisdiction, but within the State of Louisiana, performs any law enforcement action and is injured shall be entitled to the provisions for compensation as provided herein and shall be paid such workers’ compensation benefits by the municipality by which he is employed.” As such, law enforcement officers in Louisiana have special coverage under a statute tailored to their role. Because law enforcement work inherently involves risk of violence or attack by other individuals, this statute ensures deputies are not left without compensation simply because they were off duty or outside their usual patrol area at the time of injury. The coverage includes benefits under the workers’ compensation statutes.
Getting Legal Help with Your Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Case
If you are a deputy or law enforcement officer injured in the line of duty in Louisiana, it is critical to consult an attorney experienced in Louisiana workers’ compensation laws. An experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file the correct forms, meet deadlines, handle appeals, and litigate disputes over whether the injury qualifies or whether benefits are being fairly paid. A Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer who is experienced can review your case to determine whether they can represent you, and can fight for you to get workers’ compensation benefits due to you.
If you are in Louisiana and you need legal help with your Louisiana workers’ compensation case, contact the experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak with an experienced lawyer about your rights and options now.
