U.S. Department of Labor updated the Federal Employees' Compensation Program to help streamline claims processing for federal firefighters suffering certain occupational diseases.
The update includes a new program bulletin explaining the provisions in the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, according to a March 20 DOL news release.
"The policy changes we are making will help us improve our service and make sure federal firefighters injured or sickened on the job are treated fairly," Office of Workers' Compensation Director Christopher J. Godfrey said in the release.
The changes are intended to simplify claims processing to make it easier for federal firefighters to connect their toxic substance exposure with certain diseases and illnesses, the release reported. The changes also follow a change in April, which eased evidence requirements for federal firefighters claims.
The update includes provisions such as firefighters will receive opportunities to register voluntarily with the National Firefighter Registry at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, according to the release. Firefighters will also receive regular reviews of the best scientific evidence to determine whether additional conditions should be added to the list of high-risk diagnoses, as well as an increased 60-day period for claimants to submit evidence for initial injury or disease claims
DOL's Office of Workers Compensation annually receives about 2,600 compensation claims from federal firefighters, with approximately 175 of those claims for conditions that include cancer and heart and lung disease, the release said.
Before the 2022 policy change, the office accepted 29% of these claims on average, but more than 90% of processed claims have been accepted as of February, according to the release.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, the release reported. Additionally, firefighters are more at risk for certain types of cancer compared to the general population.
