26 Years in and Still Standing: A Deputy’s Heart Bill Story

Deputy Kenneth Youngblood worked in law enforcement for 26 years when he found himself facing yet another heart problem. Sadly, he was no stranger to heart conditions or workers’ compensation claims, and this one was being challenged. His dispute went to trial after the insurance company denied his claim, arguing that his atrial fibrillation was a part of an earlier claim that had already been settled. Learn more about this story on our Shielded podcast:

When a Second Heart Condition Leads to a New Claim

Youngblood’s first heart problem dates back to 2011 or 2012 when he filed and settled a workers’ compensation claim. He was hospitalized with atrial fibrillation years later, in 2016, where he reported the condition to his employer and filed another workers’ compensation claim. Unfortunately, the insurance company denied the claim, asserting that the AFib was connected to Youngblood’s earlier claim, which had already been settled. So the question of whether it was the same condition or not needed to be answered.

Youngblood and his attorneys argued that it was not. They also argued that he qualified for benefits under Florida’s Heart Bill and that the AFib was different from the tachycardia involved in his earlier claim. The judge ruled in Youngblood’s favor after medical experts and advisors found the conditions to be separate.

Heart Conditions Can Continue to Affect a Career

Deputy Youngblood’s medical issues continued. He underwent an ablation and later needed another procedure for AFib in 2022, and the insurance company accepted the new workers’ compensation claim this time. But then he was hospitalized again in 2025 for a separate heart condition. Insurance initially denied the claim and argued that the condition was already covered by the previous settlement. The matter ultimately settled before the trial would occur.

Youngblood offers this advice for younger first responders: listen to your body and do not hesitate to seek the benefits you are entitled to. A serious medical condition can affect far more than a trip to the doctor. Depending on the circumstances, workers’ compensation can also have an impact on pensions, SSDI, and personal injury compensation. And when a claim is denied, figuring out what happens next can be difficult without the help of an attorney who can review your situation and offer legal advice.

Twenty-Six Years in Law Enforcement

Over the course of 26 years, Deputy Youngblood dealt with multiple heart conditions, medical procedures, workers’ compensation claims, and disputes over whether those conditions were connected. His case demonstrates that a previous workers’ compensation settlement does not cover all future medical conditions and a denied claim does not have the final say in the process.

Florida’s Heart Bill provides protections for certain first responders, but getting those benefits can involve complicated medical and legal questions. Bichler & Longo PLLC will advocate for first responders, so give us a call to better understand your situation.