Recent Victory In Workers’ Comp Case For Firefighters

Two recent rulings from the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission provided an award of compensation to a fire fighter who was diagnosed with kidney cancer and another fire fighter who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The Commission awarded benefits to the fire fighter notwithstanding that the Fire Department attempted to argue that the fire fighter with kidney cancer had smoked for twenty (20) years and had other “risk factors”. In the case of the fire fighter who developed thyroid cancer the County argued that there was no scientific evidence to support a relationship between fire-fighting and thyroid cancer.

Job Hazards for Firefighters

We countered the defense with evidence, testimony and many articles showing that there is clear scientific evidence that toxic chemicals and smoke that fire fighters encounter in the everyday performance of his/her job causes kidney, thyroid and many other cancers (neither kidney cancer nor thyroid cancers are “presumption” cancers under the law). As a result of this finding, the fire fighters will not only receive benefits but will also be covered for any problems they may have, including lost time, mileage reimbursement, medications, etc., for the rest of his/her life. This coverage even extends even after they retire and/or leave the Fire Department.

What To Do Following a Diagnosis

If you have had a finding, either by your private physician or on annual examination, of a cancerous condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), PTSD or other such problems, please contact us and we will file the appropriate forms. We have handled more cancer, hypertension, heart disease, lung disease and all workers compensation cases than any other firm in the state of Maryland.

By Ken Berman