A police officer was seriously injured along Route 80 East in Saddle Brook, NJ after being struck by a hit and run driver on September 20, 2026. The officer, who was performing a traffic stop around 4:30 AM, was hit by a vehicle that was not involved in the initial stop. On Tuesday, September 22, it was announced that the phantom vehicle and driver had been identified as Katelyn M. Gallardo of Maywood, NJ. She was arrested and charged with a multitude of offenses, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, as well as leaving the scene of an accident.
The Saddle Brook Police Officer, Nicholas Genuario, is currently listed as critical but stable. Police officers put their lives at risk each time they put on the badge. Every day, officers face countless dangers – from the threat of being shot or assaulted to the risk of being struck by a vehicle, to many other hazards that can occur in the line of duty. According to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project, in 2024, 29,538 police officers throughout the United States suffered injuries from assaults. It is vital that officers and their families know and understand both their rights and the resources available to them.
Police officers are covered under New Jersey workers’ compensation laws. These protections apply to a wide range of work-related injuries, illnesses, and circumstances that may occur while an officer is on duty. There are four types of benefits available, including medical, temporary disability, permanent disability, and death.
Medical benefits provide full coverage for medical treatment related to either the injury or illness. This includes hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation facilities. If an officer is temporarily unable to perform their duties, they may also be eligible to receive temporary disability benefits while they recover. In cases involving a lasting illness or injury, permanent disability benefits may be available, which are determined and calculated on how severe the disability is, as well as the officer’s average weekly pay. If the unthinkable occurs and an officer passes away as a result of a work-related injury or illness, then eligible dependents may be entitled to receive compensation for funeral expenses, future financial support, as well as any medical costs that may have occurred before death.
Police officers can suffer injuries in a variety of ways, including auto accidents, assaults, bullet wounds, slips, trips, and falls, dog bites, burns from explosions, and more. When this occurs, officers are advised to immediately report the injury or illness to their employer to initiate the workers’ compensation claims process. It is also highly suggested that they seek legal assistance with a qualified personal injury law firm.
Not all law firms have experience managing workers’ compensation benefits and claims. The New Jersey law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. has been assisting public servants for more than 40 years. Our Partner, Steven H. Cohen, Esq. is Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Department and has handled thousands of workers’ compensation claims, including those of injured police officers. His team will process the claim through the police department’s insurance carrier and help with getting the appropriate medical care.
When dealing with a workers’ compensation claim, many questions and complex issues can arise including possible third-party direct lawsuits against contractors, civilians, and negligent drivers, as may be the case here. Because these situations can become complicated, seeking assistance and guidance from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is critical to understanding your rights. Steve Cohen is also the author of “Getting the Benefits You Deserve – Workers’ Compensation Claim” legal guide, which can be downloaded for free here: https://www.dsslaw.com/workers-compensation-ebook/
Our thoughts are with Nicholas and his family, and we wish him a full and quick recovery.
If you or a loved one is a police officer who has suffered an injury or illness on the job, contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. to speak with Partner Steven H. Cohen for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation. You will not pay anything unless your case is won and settled. Everyone deserves to understand their rights and have peace of mind. Call us now at 201-444-4444 to get started.
