As a result, the city expects to pay out $1.7 million, according to Bob Cenname, Baltimore’s deputy budget director.
The costs are among an estimated $20 million the rioting is expected to cost taxpayers. Officials are temporarily covering the costs with money from the city’s rainy day fund while seeking reimbursement for up to 75 percent from Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Cenname said the workers compensation costs included multiple claims for injuries sustained during the unrest from falls or altercations. Police have reported that 113 officers were injured during that time. Cenname said some officers might be out of work for an extended time.
“Of those who were injured, some of are back to work and some are off,” he said.
In 2013, Baltimore taxpayers paid out $13.6 million to police officers for workers compensation claims.
Baltimore descended into rioting on April 27, hours after the funeral of Freddie Gray, 25, who died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in police custody. Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to help keep order.
The violence that day began with students throwing rocks at police at Mondawmin Mall and exploded into looting and fires throughout the city. More than 380 businesses reported damage, and 61 buildings were burned, city officials say.
Source:http://www.baltimoresun.com