Assaulted first responders can get full disability compensation under new law

Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill Thursday enabling first responders to be fully compensated after they suffer a serious injury on the job that leaves them unable to work.

First responders — including police officers, firefighters, EMTs and public and municipal licensed health care workers — will receive a disability pension that's equal to 100% of their regular compensation after sustaining a "catastrophic, life-threatening or life-altering and permanent bodily injury due to a violent attack," Healey's office said Thursday afternoon.

Once they reach the mandatory retirement age, that pension will be cut to 80%.

"We depend on our emergency responders to bravely run toward danger when others are running away. It is imperative they have our full support in the event they are seriously injured while performing their duties," Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said. "This legislation is representative of our deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of our first responders and their families."

The legislation states that a "violent act injury" occurs after a violent attack involving a dangerous weapon that is intended to cause "serious injury or death," including a firearm, knife, automobile or explosive device. Retirement boards must evaluate whether first responders are unable to perform their jobs due to the injury and whether their condition is likely permanent, Healey's office said.

"We hope that the measures in this law never have to be used, however the reality is that there will be officers who will become permanently disabled due to a violent attack," Frank G. Frederickson, director of governmental affairs at the Mass. Fraternal Order of Police, said. "We appreciate that the Legislature recognized that disabled officers have enough struggles to deal with and should not be worried about financial stability. This law sends a good message to our officers and acknowledges the stressful and dangerous work they do."

John Nelson, vice president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, said the group started working on the bill with its original sponsor, the late Sen. Ken Donnelly.

"There has been a lot of hard work put in by many people to get this important piece of legislation to the finish line," Nelson said. "Our entire membership is grateful for the legislature's and Governor's work on this bill. While we hope this new law does not have to be used often, it will help those who have sacrificed more than anyone will know.”