Washington law gives first responders PTSD comp benefits
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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday signed into law a bill that will allow workers compensation for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder if certain conditions are met.
S.B. 6214, sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway, D-South Tacoma, clears the way for firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians suffering from PTSD who were previously ineligible for coverage for mental injuries on presumption.
The presumption would apply to those in the field for 10 years before the condition developed and who are examined by a psychologist who can rule out that the injury was present prior to employment, according to the law.
PTSD is “not considered an occupational disease if the disorder is directly attributed to disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, termination, or similar action taken in good faith by an employer,” according to the new law.
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