Disability Law

Cancer Bill for Firefighters and Paramedics Re-Introduced

By David A. McCranie, Esq.

As he apparently promised he would (see this post), Senator Jeff Atwater, a Republican representing parts of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, has re-introduced a bill identical to last year's bills (see SB 1440 and HB 301 from the 2007 legislative session) which would provide cancer coverage for firefighters and paramedics.  See SB 2314.

Specifically, as§112.18(1) currently does for coronary problems and §112.181 does for hepatitis, SB 2314 would create a rebuttable presumption that "any condition or impairment of the health of a firefighter or paramedic". . . which is caused by cancer and results in total or partial disability or death is presumed to have been accidental and suffered in the line of duty unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence."  In order to take advantage of the presumption, the firefighter or paramedic must have passed a physical examination before commencing employment which failed to reveal any evidence of such condition. 

Full post as published by Florida Workers’ Compensation Law Blog on March 03, 2008 (boomark / email).