A workers’ compensation bill spurred by a chimp attack on a police officer is moving to the Senate floor.

The bill, which passed the Public Safety and Security Committee on Thursday, stems for the highly publicized case of Frank Chiafar, a Stamford Police Officer who was forced to shoot a rampaging chimp last year. Chiafari claims he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident, but his claim for workers’ compensation coverage was denied because he shot an animal and not a person.

The bill, if passed, would allow police officers to seek workers’ compensation coverage for stress after using deadly force on animals. Current law provides coverage only for officers who use deadly force on humans.

Committee members said they expect the bill to be amended in the Senate to tighten the language and ensure the provision cannot be abused.

In North Carolina our workers’ compensation program is based on the belief that employees should be able to receive full medical treatment for their injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, the Raleigh workers’ comp lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC can help. Please call our offices at 919-851-3311.