First/Worst Injury on the Job

[dragonspider]

So, as I sit here for my 5th week with a broken pelvis, unable to walk without crutches, and certainly unable to workout, I wondered.... For you officers out there, what was your first injury on the job, and what was your worst injury on the job?

[Ghost 1]

My first injury on the job that was memorable was when I got into a fight with a dope dealer inside a house. He had 20 dime bags on his person and didn't want to go back to prison. He tried to dive through a closed window. He hit it,broke it and tried to pull himself out when I wrapped him in a bear hug to pull him back inside. I got sliced up pretty good on both forearms before I got him off the glass. But that dumb@ss was cut all over.

My worst injury has been here recently and it was stupid. No wonderful tales to tell about it. I was attending a SWAT certification course as an entry team member (I'm primarily a sniper,but wanted to cross train to have the cert) and I threw my back out of whack during an obstacle course. I was laid up with that injury close to two months and believe me,it sucked.

I feel your pain.

[Switchback]

My first injury was from running. Orhtotics took good care of that. We have mandatory fit, so it was covered.

Then there was a minor elbow injury when hit by an 18 wheeler fueler truck.

The worst, however, was the 2 bulging disks, both of which have tears that will not heal, from SOG training. I am still trying to put the surgery off as long as possible.

[LawGurl32]

The worst injury ive sustained from playing softball was when I slid into third and the psycho dislocated my jaw. It didnt hurt that bad. Coach knocked it back in place and I was back in the game. It hurt for like a week or so but it sux because I still have problems with it to this day.

Another softball mishap that hurt badly was when I slid into second. The first time wasnt bad because I had my slider pad on (it still penetrated the slider somehow.... we were playing on crushed brick). I slid again on that same leg and that time I grated my skin on my right calf. It hurt so bad. It went numb. I asked coach to pull me out of the game because I could not walk. Needless to say after the initial hurt wore off I was back playing after that game.

[Switchback]

You're a professional softball player?

ON THE JOB

LOL

Sorry, LG. I just couldn't resist. It must be the Sam Adams. Naw, scratch that.. I think I am always a smarta$$.

[knocker]

Just had a cast iron spike driven through my left arm bicep area three times attempting to arrest a suspect from a stolen car. It happend on 14 Apr. 04 and I'm still off work. Doctors said I just missed my brachial artery by millimeters. Had to persuade the doctors to let me return to my unit on limited light duty. If I can figure out how to do this I will post pictures from my digital camera.

[hwpd]

a mosquito bite. When I rode along with officers who liked to keep their windows down at night.

[LawGurl32]

You're a professional softball player?

Well since you bring that up technically yes. I used to be a college athlete on full scholarship. I was paid 20.00 per game to play.

[Ghost 1]

I am still trying to put the surgery off as long as possible.

Switch:When I was out I did a lot of research on back injuries cause I'd never had any problems with mine till I got hurt. I won't let them cut until my only other option is a wheelchair. 90% of everyone I talked to said that after they had back surgery,it got worse. Believe me,you're doing the right thing and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

[oscarmitre]

I wish this could be dramatic and heroic but it's not. When I went through our basic training as a cadet (we had three years basic joined at 17 graduated at 20) we were required to do a lot of PT and drill. I was marching and doing drill with my course when I busted my Achilles tendon while marching. I got a week off PT and drill :D But I've been very lucky (fingers crossed), no other serious injuries on the job.

But I was gritting my teeth reading some of these posts :(

[mcsap]

Stupid admission time. About 4 yrs ago I was out in a rural area assisting an ambulance on a heart attack call. They were on a bad curve at night in the winter. I was going to put a flare out for them around the next curve. I parked my cruiser with the overheads still on and thought, I don't need my flashlight to pop the trunk, get a flare out and walk 20 ft to place it. Got the flare out and was walking along the shoulder when I was "blinded" by my own lights and stepped into a large pothole on the shoulder. I went from vertical to horizontal in a flash.

It was a good thing I had my heavy winter coat and boots on. I scraped my head, gouged the palm of my hand and had a sore left side of my body. I ended up driving myself to the hospital ( ambulance crew was trying to talk me in to a transport but I said, no thanks). I didn't need stitches but had to get my hand all wrapped up.

[Switchback]

Well since you bring that up technically yes. I used to be a college athlete on full scholarship. I was paid 20.00 per game to play.

I thought it was against NCAA rules to get "paid" to play. At least that was my understanding for my scholarship. And by all standards, technically, college is still amateur.

[corporal716]

My first on duty injury was in 95. My knee dislocated while jumping a fence. After surgery I was working in the jail and all was good until 2000 when It dislocated while fighting a fire with a group of inmates. After being off for a year they let me comeback to light duty, but after six months the Doctor said I would never be able to return to full duty. The day the Doctor said that my career was over!!! Todays later they haded me my retirement papers.

[DeputyMadMax]

My first injury was caused by a fence. We were searching for 3 juveniles who ran from a work detail. We were given a tip that they were hiding in a house. We arrived and surrounded the house. I was attempting to get to the back yard, but there was a short chain link fence. I though "Bah, I can just hop right over this." There was a bar along the top of the fence, so I put my weight on the bar and threw myself over. But about half way over while I was in mid air, the bar broke loose from the fence. I dropped on the fence like a rock. My arm came down right on top of the fence where they are tied together and stick up. I punctured my arm and recieved several large deep scratches. Plus strained the muscles in my leg trying to catch myself.

Of course I had to be a tough guy and shrugged it off. Told the Sheriff I didn't need/want medical treatment. Two days later I woke up and my arm was burning and red. Pulled my little bandaid off and more puss than I ever seen poured out of it. Oops. Off to the ER I went for some meds and tetnis(sp?) shot.

[dragonspider]

Alright.... Some good stories here... Keep em coming.

Now for the other side of the situation..... without exposing yourself to litigation, what is the worst injury, in the course of duty, you have inflicted upon a suspect, and what were the circumstances surrounding that?