Connecticut introduces presumption first responder bill
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Connecticut lawmakers on Thursday introduced legislation that would expand workers compensation benefits for certain first responders who suffer work-related strokes and blood clots in the line of duty.
House Bill 5279 would create a workers comp presumption for municipal firefighters, police officers and state constables who suffer injuries caused by cerebrovascular incidents or pulmonary embolisms within 24 hours of responding to an emergency call or attending mandated training events.
The two new medical conditions would be added to existing law, which already provides a workers comp presumption for on-the-job cardiac emergencies.
Constables are a new class of first responder under the measure, which, if passed, would take effect on July 1.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security.
The Connecticut measure comes on the heels of a similar bill introduced earlier this month in New Jersey.
