Firefighters with Mesothelioma Protected by New Ohio Law

A new piece of legislation extends workers’ compensation rights for Ohio firefighters to include occupational cancers such as mesothelioma. Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed the Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act into law Jan. 4. The bill essentially classifies cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters, allowing firefighters who have cancer to file claims with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. More than 30 states already have similar laws. Doug Stern of the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters (OAPFF) said the legislation is based on scientific research that links asbestos-related cancers, such as mesothelioma, to firefighters. “Studies show firefighters are 100 percent more likely to develop mesothelioma than civilians,” Stern told Asbestos.com. Law Is a Long Time Coming Palumbo, the bill’s namesake, has battled an incurable form of brain cancer since 2015. His firefighting career dates back nearly three decades. In addition to mesothelioma, the bill covers firefighters disabled as a result of any cancer incurred while performing official duties as a firefighter. These include, but are not limited to, brain, prostate, colon and lung cancer. “It’s going to protect them and their families through several different avenues to get the benefits right away that they deserve,” Palumbo told Fox 8 Cleveland. Stern noted the legislation was a long time coming and a landmark moment for the OAPFF and all firefighters, past and p...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: firefighters asbestos exposure firefighters with mesothelioma governor john kasich occupational mesothelioma cancer ohio law protects firefighters Source Type: news