First responders in Florida who developed certain heart and blood pressure conditions may be able to receive certain benefits. Thanks to the Heart Bill, these benefits do not require you to prove the job connection with extensive paperwork. However, your employer or their insurance have the right to challenge your claim if they believe the condition existed previously or developed from something else.
Our attorneys can help ensure all criteria are met, including pre-employment physicals, diagnosis, and disability. If your condition is preventing you from working, Bichler & Longo can help you secure your finances.
First responders face a higher risk of developing heart and blood pressure problems, including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and sudden cardiac arrest, due to the physical and mental stress of their jobs. This is due to factors like hypertension and exposure to occupational hazards. The demanding nature of first responder jobs, including long hours, shift work, and emotional stress, can contribute to poor health. From lifting heavy equipment to running in protective gear, it can put a strain on your cardiovascular system.
In Florida, first responders with certain heart and blood pressure conditions, including heart disease and hypertension, can receive workers’ compensation benefits under the state’s Heart and Lung Bill. High blood pressure and hypertension are terms used interchangeably, and are included in the law’s covered conditions, including primary hypertension or essential hypertension.
Fortunately for you, it is not the job of the employee to prove their condition stemmed from their work duties. It is only up to the employer to show that the condition is not work-related, which is extremely difficult to prove. This law presumes these conditions are work-related, making it much easier for you to get benefits.
To be eligible for benefits, you must meet certain criteria and have a qualifying health condition. Requirements to seek benefits include:
You do not have to prove your heart condition is work-related under the Heart Bill. It is presumed to be work-related if you meet the requirements for coverage. Once the claim is made, your employer or its insurance company must clearly and convincingly prove that the heart condition was caused by something other than the work. If they can’t, then the claim will likely be approved.
In order to qualify, you must have a clean pre-employment physical. This means you started the job without a pre-existing condition noted in your initial physical. For example, if an applicant had a heart attack before entering service with a new agency, this could make it difficult to make a claim for benefits. If there was no prior evidence of a heart attack or heart disease on the physical, you will likely be covered.
Insurance companies and employers may still challenge or deny Heart Bill claims, even if you know they are valid. In addition, a work-related injury can also affect your employment, pension, and Social Security benefits. Our attorneys can address these overlapping issues, help you establish eligibility, and recover all benefits you are entitled to claim. Contact Bichler & Longo today to discuss your heart or blood pressure condition as a first responder.