The Heart and Lung Bill

If you are a firefighter or law enforcement officer, Florida workers' compensation laws may cover heart disease and hypertension. For over 30 years, firefighters in Florida have been covered by what is known as the "Heart and Lung Bill." Since 2002, law enforcement officers and correctional officers are also covered.

What is the "Heart and Lung Bill?" It is a law which creates a legal presumption, that heart disease and hypertension are the result of the very stressful lives of Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale firefighters and law enforcement officers. A presumption means that unless the employer can prove that the heart disease or hypertension is NOT from employment, a Judge must conclude that employment is the cause.

This law provides critical benefits to firefighters and law enforcement officers, who otherwise could not prove a link between their stressful employment and the terrible consequences of heart disease. It is well documented that firefighters and law enforcement officers are statistically much more likely to suffer from heart disease and hypertension, compared to the general population.

Unfortunately, for many reasons, not enough firefighters, police office and law enforcement officers take advantage of the "Heart and Lung Bill." That is, many are more likely to use major medical health insurance coverage, rather than Florida workers compensation, to pay for heart disease medical care. The result is that many South Florida firefighters and police officers are giving up the right to potentially significant medical and indemnity benefits available through Florida workers' compensation. Many firefighters and police officers have been awarded permanent and total disability benefits for life, because of the "Heart and Lung Bill."

Randy Zeldin, Esq. is available to represent firefighters and police officers with heart disease and hypertension claims, throughout South Florida, from Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. Contact Randy Zeldin, Esq. to schedule a free case review.