Retired Gila County sergeant wins PTSD workers’ compensation claim

PHOENIX – A recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling sets an important legal precedent for first responders battling post-traumatic stress disorder across the state.

The court ruling is based on an on-the-job shooting in 2017 involving John France, a now-retired Gila County Sheriff’s Office sergeant.

France filed for workers’ compensation after he shot and killed a man who was pointing a 12-gage shotgun at him and refused to drop it.

He and another deputy were cleared of any wrongdoing, but France was diagnosed with PTSD.

Over the last three years, France has been denied workers’ compensation for the mental health condition.

“I was having to defend the concept that I was injured and was being left to feel somewhat outcast that because I claimed to have a mental health injury, I was milking it,” France, who spent 35 years on the job prior to the incident he accredits his PTSD, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

The ruling handed down by the Arizona Supreme Court says any first responders that have an “unusual, unexpected or extraordinary” event happen to them while on the job that causes PTSD will be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

“Essentially what this ruling means is that employers/workers compensation insurance carriers cannot deny first responder cases for PTSD by arguing that they were trained for circumstances that may occur on the job,” Matt Fendon, the Arizona Workers’ Compensation Attorney who represented Sgt. France, said.

First responders that meet requirements will be eligible for medical benefits, wage replacement benefits and permanent disability benefits going forward.

“The big win or the big take away is that hopefully, it has shut that door for those that are in the pipeline now so that their situations will be more fairly judged,” France said. “Hopefully it will prevent anyone from going through three-and-a-half years of pain and agony that I and my family went through.”

Related

Maricopa County Library District celebrates opening of new West Valley branchBygone mall favorite Hot Dog on a Stick plans return to ArizonaCentral Arizona Project president says feds ‘bought the lies’ on Colorado River planGlendale Police ask for help identifying car involved in hit-and-run that killed bicyclistArizona joins 22-state lawsuit to block federal insurance rule that would gut ACA protectionsWoman hospitalized with leg injury after rescued from Papago Mountain’s Hole in the Rock