OM Assessing the Justification in Seeking Compensation for Sports Injury

BACKGROUND: This paper shows the role of occupational medicine in assessing the justification for seeking compensation for a sports injury. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-year-old female candidate applied for admission to the Police. Starting in 2022, the Academy tightened the admission criteria and started testing candidates by professional selection. The candidate was injured at the “Marine” training ground, breaking both lower leg bones. She is now seeking compensation from the Ministry of the Interior. Like for other jobs with special working condition, it is known that before hiring future police officers, they have to pass the preliminary occupational medicine examination. The same applies to enrolment in sports clubs, for practicing sports and before entering competitions. The candidate asks whether she should have had a medical examination before applying for training as a police officer, that is, before psychophysical testing. Only candidates who pass the tests can be admitted to the Police Academy at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which are followed by a medical examination and the signing of an employment contract. The state cannot be expected to pay trainers for potential candidates and their training, for only about a quarter of candidates pass the selection. CONCLUSION: The candidates themselves must be aware of their psychophysical capabilities, and it is to be expected that sportswomen, even amateurs, skilled and at least moderately fit, will apply for the above mentioned position of policewoman, bearing in mind the complexity of the future profession.