HB 141

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to workers' compensation for first
3responders; creating s. 112.1815, F.S.; providing a
4definition of the term "first responder"; providing a
5standard of proof for first responders with an injury or
6disease caused by exposure to a toxic substance; providing
7that any adverse result or complication relating to
8smallpox vaccinations is an injury by accident arising out
9of employment for first responders; providing a standard
10of proof for first responders in cases involving
11occupational disease; providing for the continuation of
12permanent total supplemental benefits after the age of 62
13for certain first responders; providing a method for
14determining attorney's fees for first responders in cases
15involving exposure to toxic substances or occupational
16diseases; providing a definition of the term "occupational
17disease"; providing that the act fulfills an important
18state interest; providing an effective date.
19
20Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
21
22     Section 1.  Section 112.1815, Florida Statutes, is created
23to read:
24     112.1815  Firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical
25technicians and law enforcement officers; special provisions for
26employment-related accidents and injuries.--
27     (1)  The term "first responder" as used in this section
28means a law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10, a
29firefighter as defined in s. 633.30, and an emergency medical
30technician or paramedic as defined in s. 401.23 employed by
31state or local government. A volunteer engaged by state or local
32government is also considered a first responder for purposes of
33this section.
34     (2)(a)  For the purpose of determining benefits of this
35section relating to employment-related accidents and injuries of
36first responders, the following shall apply:
37     1.  An injury or disease caused by the exposure to a toxic
38substance is not an injury by accident arising out of employment
39unless there is a preponderance of the evidence establishing
40that exposure to the specific substance involved, at the levels
41to which the first responder was exposed, can cause the injury
42or disease sustained by the employee.
43     2.  Any adverse result or complication caused by a smallpox
44vaccination of a first responder is deemed to be an injury by
45accident arising out of work performed in the course and scope
46of employment.
47     3.  A mental or nervous injury involving a first responder
48and occurring as a manifestation of a compensable injury must be
49demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence. For a mental or
50nervous injury involving a first responder, payment of medical
51benefits under chapter 440 shall be made even if the first
52responder's mental or nervous injury is unaccompanied by a
53physical injury. However, payment of indemnity as provided in s.
54440.15 may not be made unless a physical injury accompanies the
55mental or nervous injury. Benefits for a first responder are not
56subject to any limitation on temporary benefits under s. 440.093
57or any limitation on permanent impairment benefits under s.
58440.15(3)(c).
59     (b)  In cases involving occupational disease, both
60causation and sufficient exposure to a specific harmful
61substance shown to be present in the workplace to support
62causation shall be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
63     (3)  Permanent total supplemental benefits received by a
64first responder whose employer does not participate in the
65social security program shall not terminate after the first
66responder attains the age of 62.
67     (4)  The finder of fact and law is not bound by any
68statutory provision regarding attorney's fees relating to the
69provision of indemnity or medical benefits for employment-
70related accidents or injuries involving exposure to a toxic
71substance or occupational disease but must consider the
72following factors when awarding an attorney's fee:
73     (a)  The time and labor required, the novelty and
74difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill required to
75perform the legal service properly.
76     (b)  The fee customarily charged in the locality for
77similar legal services.
78     (c)  The amount involved in the controversy and the
79benefits payable to the claimant.
80     (d)  The time limitations imposed by the claimant or the
81circumstances.
82     (e)  The experience, reputation, and ability of the
83attorney or attorneys performing services.
84     (f)  The contingency or certainty of a fee.
85     (5)  For the purposes of this section, the term
86"occupational disease" means only a disease that is due to
87causes and conditions that are characteristic of and peculiar to
88a particular trade, occupation, process, or employment and
89excludes all ordinary diseases of life to which the general
90public is exposed, unless the incidence of the disease is
91substantially higher in the particular trade, occupation,
92process, or employment than for the general public.
93     Section 2.  The Legislature finds that this act fulfills an
94important state interest.
95     Section 3.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.