Four Deputies at Las Vegas Shooting File Comp Claims

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 | 1

Four Orange County Sheriff’s deputies filed workers’ compensation claims in California for physical and psychological injuries they say they sustained during the Oct. 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas, according to a report by the Orange County Register.

The deputies were at the Route 91 Harvest festival on their own time but say they acted as on-duty law enforcement officers after the shooting started. The shooting ultimately killed 58 people and wounded more than 500.

Tom Dominguez, president of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, reportedly told the deputies to file workers’ compensation claims.

According to the Orange County Register, he said the sheriff’s department expects deputies to take action when the public is in danger, and the county should be cautious in reviewing the claims.

“If they deny the claims, then the message that they’re sending to their peace officers is not to take action when it is certainly warranted,” Dominguez reportedly said.

County Supervisor Todd Spitzer reportedly called for a closed session to discuss the claims after learning that the county was likely to deny liability.

Spitzer, who is running for district attorney, said the deputies may not have compensable claims under a strict interpretation of California law, but he doesn’t want to “send a message that Orange County is going to abandon any of its peace officers who are trying to save lives.”