County Approves Settlement for Jail Officer's Heart Transplant

Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 0

The Volusia County Council in Florida approved a $430,000 settlement that covers a heart transplant for a former correctional officer, according to a local news report.

The council on Tuesday also signed off on a $398,700 settlement for cardiac medical expenses for a former sheriff's deputy, according to the report.

The large medical costs made headlines around the state because of the unexpected nature of the coverage provided by a state law approved in 2002. The “Heart-Lung Statute” provides workers' compensation benefits for almost all types of heart and lung conditions in first responders.

Some municipal officials said that when the law was passed, they knew it would cost local governments more in premiums, but they didn't expect to have to cover heart transplants.

Officer Brian Scherer was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2009 and received a new heart in 2013, shortly after he retired. A state appeals court upheld the benefits in 2015, and Scherer's attorney has been negotiating a settlement since to cover the cost of the surgery.

The County Council also signed off on the settlement with former Deputy Nancy Adkins, who suffers from cardiovascular disease.