1. (a) The following definitions apply throughout this section:

   1. (1) "Firefighter" means a current or former full-time, paid firefighter.
   2. (2) "Police officer" means a current or former full-time, paid police officer.

2. (b) A special service district shall pay for the care of:

   1. (1) a police officer who:

      1. (A) suffers an injury; or

      2. (B) contracts an illness;

         during the performance of the police officer's duty; or

   2. (2) a firefighter who:

      1. (A) suffers an injury; or

      2. (B) contracts an illness;

         during the performance of the firefighter's duty.

3. (c) The special service district shall pay for the following expenses incurred by a police officer or firefighter described in subsection (b):

   1. (1) Medical and surgical care.
   2. (2) Medicines and laboratory, curative, and palliative agents and means.
   3. (3) X-ray, diagnostic, and therapeutic service, including during the recovery period.
   4. (4) Hospital and special nursing care if the physician or surgeon in charge considers it necessary for proper recovery.
4. (d) Expenditures required by subsection (b) or (c) shall be paid from the general fund of the special service district.
5. (e) A special service district that has paid for the care of a police officer or firefighter under subsection (b) or (c) has a cause of action for reimbursement of the amount paid under subsection (b) or (c) against any third party against whom the police officer or firefighter has a cause of action for an injury sustained because of, or an illness caused by, the third party. The special service district's cause of action under this subsection is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the cause of action of the police officer or firefighter against the third party.
6. (f) The medical benefits under this section are independent and distinct from any medical benefits that are available under IC 22-3 . A police officer or firefighter may recover medical benefits under this section without first pursuing a claim for medical benefits under IC 22-3 . If the police officer or firefighter pursues a claim for medical benefits under IC 22-3 and the claim is withdrawn or denied, the police officer or firefighter is not precluded from recovering medical benefits under this section.

As added by P.L.150-2002, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.118-2026, SEC.15.