Big Win for First Responders: Florida Court Strengthens the Heart Bill

A recent Florida appellate court decision just made something very clear: the Heart Bill is strong, and it cannot be easily defeated.

In a recent case against the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, a long-serving law enforcement officer suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. The employer agreed he qualified under Florida’s Heart Bill (section 112.18). That means the law presumed his heart condition was work-related.  But the employer still tried to deny benefits.

Their argument? The officer had traditional cardiac risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, weight concerns, smoking history, and family history. They claimed those factors,  not the job caused the heart attack.  The Judge initially sided with the employer.

However,  the First District Court of Appeal reversed that decision and the reasoning is important for every first responder in Florida.

The appellate court explained that once the Heart Bill applies, the burden shifts to the employer. It is not enough for them to show that personal risk factors were “probably” the main cause. It is not enough to show those factors were “substantial.” And it is not enough to say they were “most likely” the cause.

To defeat the Heart Bill presumption, the employer must prove that the heart condition was caused entirely by non-work factors. Entirely being the key word!

In this case, even the court-appointed medical expert admitted that law enforcement work can contribute to heart disease due to stress, long shifts, sleep disruption, adrenaline spikes, and sudden exertion. Even if that contribution was small, it mattered.

The appellate court made it clear: if work contributes at all, the presumption stands. That is a powerful protection. Why does this matter? Because almost every heart case involves traditional risk factors. High blood pressure. Cholesterol. Family history. Those things are common. If employers could defeat the Heart Bill simply by pointing to those factors, the presumption would be meaningless.

This decision confirms that is not the law. The Heart Bill was created to protect first responders because of the unique stress and demands of the job. Courts are now reinforcing that protection. Employers cannot simply shift blame to lifestyle factors and walk away.

For Florida law enforcement officers and firefighters, this case is an important reminder:

If you qualify under the Heart Bill, the employer must do more than suggest other causes. They must rule out work completely and that is a very high standard.

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease or suffered a heart attack and benefits were denied, you may still have strong legal protection. The law is on your side. And decisions like this show that courts are willing to enforce it.

If you have questions about the Heart Bill or your eligibility, our firm is here to help.