By Police1 Staff
MADISON, Ill. — A Madison police officer is battling her employer for worker’s compensation after sustaining a spinal injury during a pursuit last year, KMOV reported.
Lauren Bauer, 29, was injured in a February 2015 pursuit of armed kidnappers when the suspects’ vehicle collided into the back of her cruiser. She felt pain throughout her back and neck and was taken to a hospital.
A spinal specialist determined Bauer had tears and intrusions on her spine. She was instructed to have surgery but as part of her worker’s compensation claim, the City of Madison’s attorney chose their own doctor.
“He examined me physically and stated I had zero injuries and was clear to return to work immediately,” she told the news site. “(He said) the pain I was experiencing everyday would just vanish one day.”
Bauer fought the case as she was not able to work and needed surgery. The city threatened to terminate her and stopped paying her in June. In January 2016, an arbitrator denied Bauer’s worker’s compensation for future medical care.
“For it to have gone on for more than a year now, it has taken a toll on my entire family,” Bauer told KMOV. “I’ve had to reach out for help when I’m used to being the one helping people.”
Bauer set up a GoFundMe to help with medical costs and care of her two children.
The city declined to comment to the news site on the case as it was still pending.