Presumptive Legislation for Firefighter
Cancers
From Retired Chief Superintendent Mick Ryan
As many will know Presumptive Legislation for Firefighter Cancer is soon to
promulgated in the state of NSW. The legislation will cover current firefighters
from the date of promulgation of the ACT. The current critical aspect that
impacts on retired firefighters is the manner in which retrospective Workers
Compensation claims can be made.
The State Government has determined the only way a retired firefighter with one
of the listed cancers can make a Workers Compensation claim, is the claim for
Workers Compensation must have been made previously. Of course we know that
previous claims were denied and so it seemed futile but some had a go anyway.
Regardless, those who previously made claim are now invited to resubmit your
claim for consideration.
I am about to test this out and provide the following information in the hope it
will help others. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 I advised my
doctor I believed the disease was contracted as a process of my work as a
firefighter. My doctor provided me with a WorkCover certificate and I submitted
it to EML. Of course nothing happened and I assumed the matter was a waste of
time.
However, I have asked my doctor for a copy of the WorkCover certificate and I
intend to make a claim for Workers Compensation for prostate cancer. If you know
of any retired firefighters who have or had cancer please pass this information
on in the hope it may help to make a claim.
Regards,
Mick Ryan