Firefighters to March Tuesday for Wider Cancer Presumption Law

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 | 0

Virginia firefighters and their supporters are planning to march in the streets Tuesday, demanding that lawmakers expand the types of cancer that are presumed to be work-related.

The Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Association said marchers plan to meet at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 13 on Commerce Road in Richmond, then walk to the state Capitol building, a distance of 1.8 miles.

The march is designed to draw attention to legislation that failed to pass last year, which would have added colon, brain and testicular cancer to the list of diseases presumed to be occupational illnesses under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act. The current law covers leukemia and cancers of the pancreas, rectum, throat, ovaries and breast.

Firefighters also have complained that Virginia's law requires the worker to show that he or she had contact with a toxic substance in the workplace. 

Several new pieces of legislation to address the issue have been introduced for the 2019 session, including House Bill 1804, sponsored by Rep. Timothy Hugo. It has been assigned to the House Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Other bills would add conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and add other types of first responders to those covered.

Concerns have been raised about the cost to municipalities if more cancers and workers are covered.