Oh, yes, we are famous for our dangerous chimp here in Connecticut, but this isn't about the injury to the chimp's victim, it is about the injury to the police officer that killed the chimp during an attack so vicious that it tore off the hands and face of it's victim…
A Connecticut police officer was denied workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress he claimed suffering after he shot and killed a raging chimpanzee kept as a pet. His claimed was denied because state laws only provide compensation if a person (not an animal) is killed. The policeman suffers from mood swings, flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety.
A Connecticut police officer was denied workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress he claimed suffering after he shot and killed a raging chimpanzee kept as a pet. His claimed was denied because state laws only provide compensation if a person (not an animal) is killed. The policeman suffers from mood swings, flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety.
The officer has appealed his work comp claim, although he has returned to work. He is requesting payment of his medical bills and recognition given to the kinds of injuries suffered when dealing with wild animal pets.
A new piece of legislation proposed by state senator Andrew McDonald revises current law by including payment for mental and/or emotional suffering claims when an animal is killed in the course of a police officer’s duties. The bill is designed to cover this particular officer’s work comp claim as well as any future similar claims by others.
McDonald said, “This officer was placed in a very dangerous situation and he displayed tremendous bravery and control . . . he put himself in harm’s way to protect citizens.” The animal’s attack was ferocious, he added.
The 200-pound animal attacked and nearly killed a woman who was assisting the chimp’s owner in luring him back into his cage. The woman suffered serious life-altering injuries and, one year later, is still recovering in a special hospital in Ohio. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The chimp was killed by the officer when the animal tore parts off his police cruiser and opened the cruiser door trying to get at the officer.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.
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