Concord Firefighter Cancer Lawyer

Concord Firefighter Cancer Attorney

Firefighters rush into burning buildings to save lives on a regular basis. They face known dangers and unseen hazards, like toxic smoke, chemicals, and unsafe environments. While we may see the immediate damage of their bravery, firefighters often carry the scars with them for years before medical issues grow into illnesses, like cancer. A Concord firefighter cancer lawyer can pursue what you’re entitled to. 

About Ayers, Ayers & Dressler

When someone needs a Concord firefighter cancer attorney, it’s usually not at a convenient time. Serious injuries and life-altering diagnoses force people to spend time they don’t have searching for lawyers they can trust. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler represent our clients throughout North Carolina with their legal needs. We can navigate complex laws and administrative bodies so they can focus on what’s important. 

At our top-rated law firm, we serve our community by serving those who have dedicated their lives to taking care of us. We’re honored by the opportunity and approach every case with care and attention. Our Concord Firefighter Injury Lawyer are committed to advocating for injured first responders in our community. The Cabarrus County Courthouse, located at 77 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025, serves as a central location for many legal proceedings in the area. 

North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Laws

Firefighters are routinely exposed to harmful carcinogens, including benzene, asbestos, and diesel exhaust. Firefighters also face an increased risk of cancer because their protective gear doesn’t filter out all the toxins they encounter. These carcinogens can collect on their gear, vehicles, and even fire stations.

North Carolina law does provide some avenues that lighten the firefighter’s burden of proof that their cancer was job-related. A bill was passed in North Carolina, the Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Program, that protects firefighters from occupational cancer. 

An important law related to firefighter cancer claims is N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-53. This law defines occupational disease, which can include cancer, when it arises out of the nature of their employment and the exposure to hazards that characterize their work.

More than 40,000 firefighters have joined the National Firefighter Registry, according to the CDC. Firefighters generally have a higher chance of developing occupational cancers than other professions. Certain cancers have a higher rate than others. Firefighters had a 58% higher death risk from skin cancer than non-firefighters. The death rate from kidney cancer was 40% greater, according to one study. 

Understanding Firefighter Cancer Cases in Concord, NC

In Concord, many firefighter cancer claims revolve around workers’ compensation, disability benefits, and the state’s legal assumption regarding work-related cancer causes. Firefighters are exposed to many harmful carcinogens on the job. These exposures include benzene, asbestos, and diesel exhaust. Each time they fight a fire, they increase their risk for cancer, such as lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, to name a few.

Firefighter cancer claims aren’t built around one incident but rather years or even decades of service. These cases rely on proving that the firefighter was exposed to conditions over time, received a medical diagnosis of cancer, and meets the requirements to file a claim.

Firefighters in Concord face the same battle as many other firefighters across the state regarding insurance carriers and navigating the system. Obtaining medical records, employment history, and even professional testimony can be involved in proving these claims. Moreover, many people are unsure how things work and who can offer assistance. Dealing with cancer is difficult enough without the stress of not knowing what benefits you may be entitled to.

Firefighter Long-Term Health Monitoring

Firefighter cancer screenings are vital because cancer can take years or even decades to develop. Routine firefighter cancer screenings are becoming more common while firefighters are on duty and after they retire. Testing can include imaging, bloodwork, doctor visits, physicals, and other forms of examination. Tests that doctors use to screen for cancer typically cover anything abnormal that they can detect. 

Some fire departments have even introduced dedicated firefighter health monitoring programs to provide their firefighters targeted testing and monitoring after exposure to toxic environments.

If caught early enough, your treatment options will be more accessible and have higher chances of success. The ideal situation is catching something before you feel sick. While your department may not provide monitoring or health checks after your retirement or separation from the job, it doesn’t mean you can’t take note of how your body feels. 

Take your health concerns seriously, get follow-ups, and keep up with your regular doctor’s appointments. Long-term health monitoring can catch things you may never have thought to check up on.

The Financial and Emotional Toll of Firefighter Cancer

A cancer diagnosis will affect nearly every part of your life. Some firefighters find themselves suddenly out of the job they loved and into treatment. Not only can your sense of normalcy quickly change, but your financial state may change as well. You could go from a reliable paycheck to none.

Thinking about medical bills can be stressful. Treatment, doctors, medications, follow-ups, and ongoing care will eventually add up. On top of the physical pain cancer brings, your mental health will be tested. Firefighters typically think of themselves as responders, not the ones in need of help.

On top of your own battle, your family could be facing the hardship of seeing you struggle. If you have a spouse who stays at home to care for you and your children, they will feel these effects as well. Dealing with medical costs and family worries can make it seem impossible to regain a sense of normalcy.

Types of Cancers Commonly Seen in Firefighters

Firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals when they enter a burning building, but they also encounter them while in overhaul and cleanup. Even their gear can hold toxins, which firefighters are exposed to while performing gear inspections or washing it.

Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease linked to the firefighter profession. Smoke and cancer are frequently connected. Carcinogens in smoke can be easily inhaled and cause damage to your lungs. Leukemia and lymphoma are types of cancer that affect your blood. Research has found these cancers to be linked to benzene, which firefighters are commonly exposed to. Benzene can be absorbed into your body by inhalation and through your skin.

Other types of cancer may occur when your kidneys and bladder process toxins that you have filtered through your body. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects the plasma in your blood and can damage your immune system. Firefighters have been known to develop this after frequent exposure to toxins as well. Since you can absorb so many toxins through your skin during a fire, skin cancer is also common.

When to Hire a Firefighter Cancer Lawyer

Many people wonder if they should hire a firefighter cancer lawyer at the beginning of a claim or wait until they need one. Many circumstances can cause someone to seek out a lawyer, such as:

• Your workers’ comp or disability claim was denied.
• Your employer or insurer is disputing that your cancer is job-related.
• You’re having trouble obtaining or submitting medical evidence.
• You feel pressure to return to work before you’re healed.

Understanding your options can allow you to move forward without delaying your claim. Deadlines and paperwork must be submitted in a timely manner, so consider reaching out to a lawyer as you’re beginning your claim.

FAQs About Concord, NC Firefighter Cancer Laws

What Cancers Are Presumptive for Firefighters?

Each state is different, but some of the most common cancers that are presumptive for firefighters are: 

• Lung cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Bladder cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Brain cancer

Presumptive cancer laws understand that constantly being exposed to cancer-causing agents while on the job can heighten your risk of developing certain types of cancer. If you are diagnosed with one of these cancers, it can be presumed that you contracted the disease due to your job.

What Is the Average Life Expectancy of a Firefighter?

The average life expectancy of a firefighter varies, but it is generally believed that they have a lower life expectancy if they have consistently been exposed to harmful, cancer-causing substances. Firefighters run into elevated risks of cancer, heart disease, and on-the-job injuries, which can take a toll over many years. However, this does not mean that most firefighters die because of their job. 

What Is the Fireman’s Rule in North Carolina?

The North Carolina fireman’s rule means that firefighters cannot file a claim against someone for injuring them if the injury is a direct result of what they were hired to combat. Essentially, they assume the risk of certain dangers when taking the job. 

For example, you cannot file a claim because you were injured while fighting a fire. However, there are exceptions. If someone was negligent or failed to warn you of known dangers, you could take legal action.

Can a Retired Firefighter File a Claim Years Later for a Cancer Diagnosis in Concord?

Yes, a retired firefighter can file a claim years later for a cancer diagnosis in Concord. Cancer may not develop for a lengthy period of time, and the law recognizes this. If the firefighter meets all criteria for their years of service, and can link their disease to their job, they can access benefits.

Contact Ayers, Ayers & Dressler Today

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer and is/was a firefighter, you may be entitled to compensation. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can look at the facts of your situation and represent your interests.Contact us today for a consultation.