Q: What is the Heart/Lung Bill?
A: Florida Statute 112.18 is legislation for firefighters, law enforcement and correctional officers. It states that heart disease and hypertension, among other conditions, are presumptively work related.

Q: What does the Heart & Lung Bill cover?
A: If you are qualified, your employer will pay for 100% of all medications related to the treatment of hypertension and heart disease.

Q: Does it cover heart problems that occur when I am not at work?
A: Yes. The vast majority of Heart & Lung Bill cases do not involve heart problems that occur at work. The law protects all firefighters, law enforcement and correctional officers by creating an evidentiary presumption that; unless proven otherwise, so long as an officer passes a pre-employment physical, any heart problem that develops during his/her employment, while on or off the job, and is presumed to have been caused by the stress and rigors of their occupation. If you are employed, passed the pre-employment physical and subsequently developed hypertension or heart disease prior to retirement, you are presumptively covered by Heart & Lung Bill even if you have an episode of high blood pressure or heart attack while at home, on vacation or even, under some circumstances while working an off-duty job.

Q: Am I covered after I retire?
A: A retired officer or firefighter will only be covered under limited circumstances. For example, if he/she experienced heart problems while employed, notified the employer and the employer failed to inform them that they were entitled to benefits under the Heart & Lung Bill. However, if an officer or firefighter was covered while employed, the benefits continue into retirement.

Q: Can I get both disability benefits and workmen’s' compensation?
A: Yes. Workmen’s' Compensation is payable independent of other retirement benefits.

Q: How much can I receive in disability benefits?
A: When someone receives a "line-of-duty" disability retirement benefit, permanent total disability Workmen’s' compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits, he/she is capped at 100% of pre-disability income, although cost-of-living adjustments, after the person becomes disabled, are not subject to the cap.

Q: What should I do if I have hypertension?
A: Carefully monitor your blood pressure and maintain contact with your doctor. If you feel ill, go see them. If he/she recommends that you take time off from work, follow his/her advice. Fill out notice of injury form. Do not be dissuaded from filing the notice. The worst that will happen is that the claim is denied. It is wise to seek the advice of an attorney who is familiar with Heart & Lung Bill cases before filing a notice of injury.

Q: What should I do if I m close to retirement?
A: In order for a claim to be covered by the Heart & Lung Bill, it must be made prior to retirement. Therefore, it is wise to have a complete physical including a 64 slice CT scan, prior to retirement, to determine whether you suffer from any hidden illnesses or conditions. Otherwise, you may be barred from making a claim under the Heart & Lung Bill once you retire.