***********SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA HAS ACCEPTED APPEAL – UPDATE WILL FOLLOW WITH DECISION********
Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, injured workers in PA are protected against most types of injuries or conditions. One thing specifically noted is a category of “occupational diseases.” These cover ailments found predominantly in a specified profession, above the levels found generally, and create a presumption of the disease being related to the work activities. A specific example of an occupational disease is contained in Section 108(r), pertaining to firefighters. It reads:
“Cancer suffered by a firefighter which is caused by exposure to a known carcinogen which is recognized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.”