Despite Presumption Law, 9 in 10 Firefighter Cancer Claims Denied

Despite a cancer presumption law for firefighters and emergency medical technicians that has been in place in Texas since 2005, insurers have denied 90% of cancer claims from first responders in the state from 2012 to 2017, according to data from the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Out of 117 first-responder cancer claims reported to the DWC during those six years, insurers denied 106. In only 22 cases was the denial disputed; so far, 14 of those denials have been decided in favor of the injured worker. Firefighter advocates are arguing that the cancer presumption has essentiall...