Lake Forest Rallies To Help Injured Officer Return Home From Nicaragua

LAKE FOREST, IL — The Lake Forest community is raising money to help bring Police Officer Filip Czarnecki back to the United States after a fall in Nicaragua left him critically injured, according to a family GoFundMe.

Czarnecki was visiting family in Nicaragua on a personal vacation when he suffered a tragic fall onto his head, causing a severe traumatic brain injury. He is now hospitalized in Nicaragua, and his family is working to arrange a medical air ambulance to Chicago so he can receive specialized care.

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The GoFundMe says emergency medical evacuations out of Central America are rarely covered by standard insurance and often require large upfront payment. It also says the family is facing mounting out-of-pocket medical bills and international travel costs while staying close and fighting for the care he needs now.

According to the GoFundMe, Czarnecki was initially hospitalized in León, Nicaragua, on a ventilator and in a coma. More than $180,000 has been raised toward a $220,000 goal. The money is intended to help pay for a specialized fixed-wing air ambulance to the United States, international hospital and ICU expenses, ongoing medical care and hospitalization, medical transportation and other international travel needs, and travel and lodging for family members in Nicaragua.

In an update shared through the fundraiser on Saturday, Czarnecki's family said he is showing positive signs of recovery, including continued movement. He was also recently transferred to a better-equipped hospital in Managua, his family said.

"As we continue this long road to recovery, we are now working to arrange a medical air ambulance to transport Filip from Managua to Chicago. Once he arrives in Chicago, continued specialized medical care will be essential as we work toward getting Fil strong enough to return home to his family," Czarnecki's colleague, Paul Daizovi, said.

The fundraiser remains active as the family continues planning for Czarnecki's transport and treatment, according to the GoFundMe update.