The Law That Changed Everything for Injured Police Officers & Firefighters

In 1996, New York passed a law that most police officers and firefighters were never told about — even though it completely changed their rights after a line-of-duty injury.

It’s called General Obligations Law §11-106, and it abolished the old “firefighter’s rule” that used to block first responders from suing negligent parties who caused their injuries.

Under this law, when a police officer or firefighter is injured in the lawful performance of their duties due to the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct of another person or entity, they have the right to bring a personal injury lawsuit against that party, just like any other injured New Yorker. If someone else caused your injury, you can hold them financially responsible, even if it happened while you were responding to an emergency.

For many injured first responders, this law means the difference between barely getting by and having real financial security for their family.

Workers’ Comp & Line-of-Duty Benefits Are Only the Starting Point

If you’re injured on duty, you are usually placed on:

• Workers’ Compensation, or

• General Municipal Law §207-c (police officers)

• General Municipal Law §207-a (firefighters)

• Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law

These benefits typically pay:

• Medical treatment

• Salary or partial wage replacement

• Ongoing disability benefits

But they do not compensate you for:

• Pain and suffering

• Permanent injury

• Lost overtime, promotions, or pension growth

• How the injury affects your family and future

That’s why so many officers and firefighters are shocked when they learn they also have the right to pursue a third-party personal injury claim.

You May Be Entitled to a Third-Party Lawsuit

A third-party claim is a personal injury lawsuit against someone other than your employer who caused or contributed to your injury.

This could be:

• A driver who hit your patrol car or fire apparatus

• A property owner who failed to secure a scene

• A contractor who created a hazard

• A manufacturer of defective equipment

• A building owner who violated safety codes

These lawsuits can recover:

• Full lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Future medical costs

• Permanent disability

• Loss of quality of life

In many cases, these claims are worth far more than workers’ compensation or 207-c benefits alone.

You Can Receive Both Benefits AND a Settlement

One of the biggest myths first responders are told is:

“You can’t sue because you were on duty.”

That’s no longer true.

You can legally receive:

• 207-c / 207-a or workers’ comp benefits, and

• A third-party injury settlement or verdict

Handled correctly, these two claims work together to provide:

• Income security

• Medical coverage

• Tax-free compensation

• Long-term financial protection

Handled wrong, you could lose thousands—or more.

Why First Responders Trust Collins & Collins

At Collins & Collins Attorneys, LLC, we have been representing injured police officers, firefighters, and volunteer firefighters for over 75 years.

These cases involve:

• Municipal employers

• Government insurance carriers

• Workers’ Compensation Law

• 207-c / 207-a benefits

• Third-party injury lawsuits

We know how to coordinate all of it so that no benefit is lost and no dollar is left on the table.

If You Were Injured in the Line of Duty, Protect Yourself

After an injury, the city and insurance companies move fast not to help you, but to protect their bottom line. Before you rely on what HR or an adjuster tells you, get the truth from attorneys who fight for first responders.

📞 Call Collins & Collins Attorneys, LLC at 716-885-9700 or Contact Us online for a free consultation.

For over 75 years, we’ve been protecting New York’s police officers and firefighters — now let us protect you.