Private Fireighter Diagnosed with Cancer Won’t Get Benefits
- A 27-year-old private-sector wildfire fighter from Medford, Oregon, is speaking out after his employer denied him workers’ compensation following a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and often fatal blood cancer.
- The man began fighting fires at 18 and was diagnosed at 24; doctors told him he would be lucky to live to 30. He has no smoking history or family history of blood cancer.
- Because his employer would not provide workers’ compensation, his family has had to pay for cancer testing and treatment out of pocket.
- Eisiminger is now pushing local senators and congressmen to change protections for private wildland firefighting contractors, arguing it’s unacceptable that those who risk their health protecting communities lack coverage in return.
- He is currently in remission but still requires ongoing appointments and tests, and remains unable to work and earn income while managing his condition.
Psychological Injury Claims Spike After Cutbacks
- Figures released by Tasmania’s Labor Party show workers’ compensation claims for psychological injuries within the Department for Education, Children and Young People rose 26%, from 139 in 2023-24 to 175 in 2025-26.
- Physical injury claims also remained high, contributing to a 10% rise in new workers’ compensation claims overall, from 572 to 629 over the same period.
- The department recorded 1,809 new workers’ compensation claims in the three years through June 30, 2026, costing more than $30 million.
- The figures come as Minister Eric Abetz pushes ahead with $228 million in cuts to the department, which Tasmanian Labor says is compounding pressure on an already strained workforce.
Injured Event Workers Can Make Multiple Claims for Benefits
- New York City workers injured while staffing concerts, parades, street fairs, or arena traffic posts may be eligible for multiple benefits at once, including line-of-duty injury benefits, medical treatment, wage continuation, workers’ compensation, and in some cases a separate civil lawsuit.
- Which system applies depends on job title and agency rules: certain municipal titles qualify for line-of-duty injury benefits covering medical care and wage continuation, many employees have workers’ compensation rights through the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, and workers may also pursue a civil claim if a third party’s negligence contributed to the injury.
- Deadlines vary sharply by claim type and don’t wait for each other: a Notice of Claim against New York City is generally due within 90 days, workers’ compensation requires employer notice within 30 days and a Form C-3 filing within two years, and missing any one window can eliminate that category of compensation entirely.
- New York’s highest court recently ruled that Workers’ Compensation Board findings can’t automatically block related personal injury lawsuits, a development that could affect workers weighing whether to pursue a civil claim alongside a workers’ compensation filing.