Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 1 voted 171-1 voted to approve a piece of legislation for firefighters. The legislation is now being sent to the state Senate. The new bill requires “legally organized fire departments to carry insurance coverage beginning on January 1, 2018, to pay claims for firefighters diagnosed with cancer if they have worked in the position for a year. The legislation specifies coverage for 17 types of cancers, such as cervical, leukemia, multiple myeloma. Upon a diagnosis, a firefighter is going to get immediate benefits. The bill is a new revived effort to provide benefits for firefighters after Georgia governor Nathan Deal vetoed a legislation for firefighters in 2016.

In 2016, a similar bill was introduced. The bill required employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits go to firefighters, who are diagnosed with service-related cancers. The bill introduced the concept of cancer presumption, which is adopted into law by 33 states. Firefighters often do not receive workers’ compensation benefits because doctor could not confirm that an on-the-job exposure is the cause of firefighters’ cancer. However, a growing number of studies shows a link between firefighting and cancer. A 2013 CDC found that firefighters are at an increased risk of developing digestive, oral, and urinary cancers. Under the cancer presumption, it is presumed that a firefighter with cancer contracted it in the line of duty, allowing them to receive payments for medical costs, workers’ compensation and other benefits.

However, Georgia governor Nathan Deal vetoed that 2016 legislation citing his concern that the bill was too broad and would bankrupt the workers’ compensation system. City and county government organizations said they were also concerned because their members and ultimately the taxpayers would have been responsible for paying the costs.

Supporters of the 2017 legislation for firefighters are confident that the bill will be passed and signed by Deal. Unlike the 2016 bill, the current proposal allows county and municipal government to use proceeds from county and municipal taxes to purchase insurance for the firefighters covered by this bill. The proponents noted that the 2017 legislation would be less stressful on stricken firefighters than the 2016.

  I can relate the story of firefighters with cancers to the story of my clients. I have seen employers playing many sorts of games, such as claiming that the injury was not due to an on-the-job injury, or denying adequate medical treatments. We have had great success in overcoming these issues and ensuring that our clients received the benefits that they are entitled to  receive timely. We will fight hard for you.  If you and your family members have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to contact us at 404-730-2000. You must have zealous advocate fighting and protecting your rights.