Degenerative Meniscal Tears Qualify as Occupational Disease

Maryland’s highest court ruled that a veteran paramedic/firefighter was entitled to benefits for degenerative meniscal tears in his knee. Case: Baltimore County v. Quinlan, No. 50, 08/26/2019, published. Facts and procedural history: Michael Quinlan filed a workers’ compensation claim in 2015, asserting he had developed meniscal tears in his right knee because of his job as a paramedic and firefighter for Baltimore County. The Workers' Compensation Commission denied the claim, finding the tears could not be classified as occupational. Quinlan sought judicial review. Th...