If you’re a First Responder, Section 112.18 of the Florida Statutes provides that any condition or impairment caused by tuberculosis, heart disease or hypertension resulting in total or partial disability or death is presumed accidental and be suffered in the line of duty, unless contrary evidence is shown by competent substantial evidence. Of course, you’ll […]

In a case of Orange County v. Wilder, the 1st District Court of Appeals has ruled that viral cardiomyopathy constitutes heart and “heart disease” as the term is used in Section Florida Statute 112.18.  If a presumption applies, a first responder is under no obligation to establish occupational causation and the employer has the burden

The 1st District Court of Appeal recently ruled that there is no requirement that an Employer/Carrier provide injured law enforcement officers information regarding the statutory presumption. Officer Guevara was employed by the City of North Bay Village and was placed on light duty on March 15, 2007 after a physical revealed his blood pressure was

In the recent case of Jacksonville Sheriffs Office versus Shacklett (34 Florida Law Weekly V1519 July 29, 2009), the First District Court of Appeals reminds us that missing several days of work due to medical appointments is not sufficient to demonstrate disability.