Lawmaker: Cities Flouting Law to Deny Cancer Claims

Friday, August 9, 2019 | 0

The Arizona state lawmaker who introduced legislation that expanded occupational disease presumptions for firefighters continues to accuse cities of flouting the law to deny cancer claims.

Sen. Paul Boyer

State Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, told National Public Radio member KJZZ in Phoenix that cities including Glendale, Tempe and Casa Grande are systematically denying workers’ compensation claims filed by firefighters who got cancer on the job.

“The told me — I’ve been meeting with mayors across the state — and they tell me it’s too expensive,” Boyer said when asked if he had any idea why cities were denying the claims.

The lawmaker, who was a member of the state House of Representatives in 2017 when he introduced the presumption bill that was signed into law, said cities including Phoenix Mesa are complying with the law.

But others continue to insist that the burden is on firefighters to prove their cancer is work-related, when the presumption acts to put the burden on the employer to prove that cancer was not caused by employment, according to Boyer.

The Arizona Capitol Times reported in May that the state Attorney General’s Office sent a letter to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns reminding them about the presumption.

Boyer said he is exploring the possibility of having the state allocate money to pay for firefighter cancer claims. He added that he needs to know the “real numbers” about the cost of cancer claims. He said cities typically find their most expensive claim and hold that up as an example of the average cost.

“However though, you'll have cities like Glendale, that are giving away $50 million in a tax break to, or give away to the Arizona Cardinals for a parking structure,” Boyer said. “And then meanwhile, they're calling a special city council session to give themselves a pay raise but yet they can't somehow afford to protect their heroes that protect us every single day? I mean, honestly, it's a pittance in comparison to what they're giving away.”