Haxel Law secured an important victory for firefighter health this week.
Firefighters, paramedics and EMTs frequently suffer from hearing loss for obvious reasons. Insurance companies often try to deny hearing-related workers’ compensation claims and proving entitlement to benefits can be very difficult.
In Sangamon County this week, attorney Martin Haxel won a worker’s compensation trial on behalf of a Springfield firefighter who suffered hearing loss after more than 20 years on the job. This ruling could make it easier for firefighters across the state to receive compensation for their work-related hearing damage in a courtroom trial or during settlement negotiations.
This decision may be precedent-setting because it analyzes a change in Illinois law. Firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs, who have worked for five or more years, and who suffer from hearing loss, cancer, hernias, heart disease, any disease caused by blood-borne pathogens and some other illnesses, are presumed to be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
If you know a firefighter, paramedic or EMT who has suffered from one of these medical conditions, have them call Haxel Law at (217) 215-4166 for a free consultation. It never hurts to find out if you could be entitled to benefits.