Florida Governor Expands Workers’ Compensation for First Responders

1. First responders in Florida, including firefighters and police officers, who suffer from PTSD will now be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits starting October 1, 2018.
2. The legislation was pushed for by three Central Florida first responders who were at the Pulse shooting in 2016 and is also a priority for Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Rep. Matt Willhite.
3. The bill will cover claims made after October 1, 2018, for events within the prior year, meaning that first responders at the Parkland school shooting could be covered, but not those at the Pulse nightclub.
4. Current workers’ compensation laws do not typically cover mental or nervous injuries without an accompanying physical injury, but this new legislation expands coverage for first responders facing PTSD. – First responders in Florida can receive medical benefits for mental or nervous injuries without an accompanying physical injury.
– A new bill provides wage replacement benefits for PTSD suffered by first responders, regardless of whether it is accompanied by a physical injury.
– The first responder must be diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist following certain death-related events experienced while on duty.
– Eligible PTSD claims are not subject to benefit limitations generally applicable to mental and nervous injuries, and must be filed within 30 days of the event.
– The bill also requires first responder employers to provide educational training related to mental health awareness, prevention, mitigation, and treatment.
– A 2015 study found that 6.6 percent of first responders surveyed had attempted suicide, which is more than 10 times the rate in the general population. – The bill is expected to result in a substantial decrease in revenue for state and local governments.
– It is anticipated to create budgetary challenges for these governments.
– The bill could lead to funding cuts for essential services and programs.

Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Order Expanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits to First Responders