After Baltimore Riots, Police To Receive $1.7 Million In Worker's Compensation Claims From Injuries

After protests in Baltimore descended into riots in April, the city now expects to pay $1.7 million in workers compensation to police and other staffers involved, reported the Baltimore Sun Wednesday. The city's deputy director, Bob Cenname, said the payout is a result of 169 workers comp claims citing a range of injuries filed with city government.

The costs are part of the city's large price tag -- an estimated 20 million -- associated with the rioting. The city's rainy day fund will temporarily cover the cost while city's officials will seek a reimbursement of up to 75 percent from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The $1.7 million in workers comp costs include claims for injuries sustained during the protests from falls and altercations, Cenname told the Sun. Police officials reported that 113 officers were injured during the unrest. Cenname said some of the injured police have not yet returned to work.

Along with the added costs to the local government, the riots caused about $9 million in damage to Baltimore businesses. About 350 businesses were damaged and more than 100 vehicles and 60 buildings were set ablaze during the unrest.

The riots began on April 27, after the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal cord injury in police custody. A state of emergency was declared, complete with a city-wide curfew, and lasted until May 3. Police made 486 arrests in total during the unrest that at times turned destructive and violent.

All six officers charged with the death of Freddie Gray were indicted by a grand jury in May. Since the unrest the city has seen a spike in crime rates. Baltimore saw 43 murders last month, the deadliest May since 1970 for the city. The uptick in violence prompted police commissioner Anthony Batts to request federal help for his force of about 3,000.