A Special Police Officer Was Assaulted by a Shoplifter in D.C. and the Insurance Company Didn’t Believe Her (But We Did)

One of the worst things about getting hurt on the job is that the workers’ compensation insurance company doesn’t believe you. And then they deny your legitimate workers’ compensation case.

This is the story of a special police officer working in Washington, D.C. for a local drugstore, protecting their employees, customers, and property. A special police officer is qualified to use force, licensed to carry a firearm, and undergoes specialized training to help protect people and property.

This local drugstore had been repeatedly victimized by shoplifters – they come in, steal stuff, and walk right out. In fact, the manager of the store had a policy where he would lock the door after 6:00 p.m. to try to prevent shoplifters and criminals from coming into the store. This special police officer was just doing her job when someone banged on the locked front door one night, trying to get into the store.

She quickly recognized this person as a shoplifter from earlier in the day (she reviewed the store’s security cameras that had caught him on camera shoplifting). Naturally, the security guard refused to let him in, and he became extremely upset and agitated. The shoplifter waited until the door had to be unlocked to let a customer leave, and then all hell broke loose.

The shoplifter rushed at the special police officer screaming, swinging, hitting her on the side of the head in the ear, throwing merchandise at her, and yelling all kinds of things. Our special police officer fought back and fought him off, and he ran away.

The police were called, and she gave a full report where they charged the shoplifter with assault and reviewed the surveillance videotape that caught at least part of this altercation on camera.

The security guard went to the hospital for her physical injuries and then went to see a therapist for the psychological injuries, where she was diagnosed with PTSD. It sure sounds like she should be getting workers’ compensation benefits for these injuries, and her doctor restricted her from going back to work.

Problem is, the insurance company didn’t believe her.

But we did.

We got all of the evidence and immediately tried to get in front of a judge to put them on trial. And after filing all of our exhibits, the insurance company caved and paid her everything she was entitled to, plus a significant settlement that will help her transition to a new career.

We believe in people.

If something like this happened to you, don’t wait. Contact us today. We have offices in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia, and we proudly serve injured workers across the DMV.

Call 202-393-3320 or book your free consultation: https://shorturl.at/fpJBG