The Connecticut State Senate has introduced a pair of bills designed to protect first responders in the face of a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. The two pieces of legislation, which have not yet passed, would allow first responders to apply for workers’ compensation relating to injuries on their job.
The first bill, S.B. 141 relates directly to firefighters who have been on the job for five years or more. If these firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals or poisonous gases which results in a cancer diagnosis they will be eligible to file a claim. The law lays out some parameters that must be met in order for a firefighter to be eligible for benefits which include;
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Minimum of five years on the job
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Frequent and repeated exposure to indoor fires
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Non-smoker
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No history of cancer prior to becoming a firefighter
If the new legislation is passed and these criteria are met a firefighter may have a case to file a claim.
The other measure that is being considered by the state legislature is S.B. 142 which would make workers’ compensation benefits available to corrections officers, emergency medical service providers, and dispatchers who suffer from mental or emotional impairments as a result of their jobs.
If passed these two new pieces of legislation would be significant protections for first responders and they would go into effect immediately upon passage.
If you or a loved one were injured on the job and believe you have a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim to file, you may want to consult with a board certified attorney. Our office can review your case.
