Court Clarifies Burden on Firefighters Seeking Benefits for Occupational Diseases

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania clarified the burden of proof on a firefighter seeking benefits for an occupational disease, as well as the application of a statutory presumption that his condition arose out of his employment. Peter DiLaqua began working for the City of Philadelphia Fire Department in 2003. He spent two years fighting fires and then moved to the department’s visual communication unit. DiLaqua spent 11 years with the VCU. His duties consisted mostly of office work, but he was also required to photograph fire and accident scenes, where he spent numerous hours dire...