Two bills that would affect workers compensation presumptions for firefighters and emergency medical professionals are being considered in Illinois.
H.B. 1292, introduced Monday, would create a rebuttable presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder arose out of the work conducted by firefighters, all levels of emergency medical technicians, and paramedics. The change would amend state workers comp law that already provides such workers benefits by presumption for several ailments, including lung and heart diseases.
H.B. 1309, also filed Monday, would shift the burden of proof to the employer and any party “attacking” presumptions, stating such party “must establish by clear and convincing evidence an independent and non-work related cause for the condition or disability and prove that no aspect of the employment contributed to the condition.”
This article was first published in Business Insurance.
