California Firefighters
You Ran Toward The Danger. We'll Fight For Your Benefits.
Even if you are retired, California law presumes many firefighter illnesses, including cancer, heart trouble and PTSD, are caused by the job. Insurers still delay and deny. Find out in 60 seconds if you may qualify.
Benefits built specifically for firefighters:
- Presumptive injuries: the law presumes cancer, heart trouble, PTSD and more are job-related
- Labor Code 4850: up to 1 year of your full salary while you're off work
- PTSD and emotional trauma claims covered under SB 542
- Extended deadlines: up to 5 years after you leave service (10 for certain cancers)
- If we don't win, you pay no attorney fees
- Retired? Yes you can still get benefits
- Benefits recovered
- $1B+
- Years combined experience
- 100+
- Fees unless we win
- $0
Special Protections Firefighters Get
California law treats firefighters differently from other workers. These protections can make a big difference in what your claim is worth.
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Presumptive Injuries
Cancer, heart trouble, hernia, pneumonia, PTSD and more are presumed job-related for qualifying firefighters. The insurer has to prove otherwise.
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Labor Code 4850
Qualifying public firefighters can receive their full salary for up to one year while off work, instead of standard disability pay.
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PTSD Coverage
Under SB 542, job-related PTSD is presumed work-related for qualifying firefighters.
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Extended Deadlines
Presumptions can continue after you leave service: up to 5 years, and up to 10 years for certain cancers, depending on years served.
Who Qualifies?
California's firefighter protections cover a range of fire service roles, active and retired:
- City and county firefighters
- CAL FIRE and wildland firefighters
- Fire department paramedics and EMTs
- Certain volunteer firefighters
- Recently retired firefighters
Conditions We Help With
The job takes a toll over the years, physically and mentally. You may have a claim for:
- Cancer linked to exposure to carcinogens
- Heart attacks and other heart conditions
- PTSD and job-related emotional trauma
- Lung and respiratory illness, pneumonia and tuberculosis
- Hernias and blood-borne infections
- Back, knee, shoulder, burn and hearing injuries
How it works
Three Steps To Getting Help
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1
Take the quick quiz
Answer a few short questions so we can see whether you may have a case.
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2
Free case review
A participating attorney reviews your situation. No cost, no obligation.
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3
We fight the insurer
We handle the paperwork, deadlines, doctors and insurance lawyers. You focus on recovery.
Report it and act quickly
Workers' comp claims have strict deadlines, and delays give the insurer room to dispute your claim. If you've been diagnosed, injured, or your claim has been delayed or denied, take the quiz or call us today.
What you may recover
Benefits Firefighters May Receive
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Full Salary
Many public firefighters may receive their full salary for up to one year ("4850 time") instead of standard disability pay.
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Medical Care
Treatment for your work-related injury or illness, with no cost to you.
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Permanent Disability
Payments for lasting impairment that affects your ability to work.
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Death Benefits
Support for surviving family members when a firefighter dies from a work-related condition.
Free · Confidential · No obligation
What Our Clients Say
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“Injured at work. Was scared to file a claim because I did not want to lose my job. My injury got worse, I filed a claim, they denied my claim. So I called and got a free consultation from a lawyer at the workers compensation attorney group. Took my case and got it accepted and I didn't lose my job. You guys are the best.”
Grayson Boles
July 2018
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“Thank you to Jose and everyone at the workers compensation attorney group for helping me resolve my case over a period of 5 years. I was severely injured and it seemed like the insurance company was totally unwilling to settle. Finally the insurance company made me a fair offer and closed my entire case and put this nightmare behind me.”
Jan Parker
September 2018
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“My case was denied because I screwed up, many lawyers turned me away but the workers compensation attorney group did not. They took on my case and got it accepted and I finally received a settlement for my hand injury.”
Mario M.
September 2018
Our No-Risk Promise
If we take your case and don't win benefits for you, you pay no attorney fees. No hourly fees and nothing up front. Our attorneys are paid only when you are, and fees are approved by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the "presumption" actually mean?
For covered conditions, California presumes the illness or injury arose from your firefighting work. The insurer then has the burden to prove it didn't. It's a powerful advantage, but it has requirements, and insurers do contest it.
I'm retired. Can I still file?
Often, yes. Several presumptions continue for a period after you leave service, with the length based on how many years you served. Some conditions can also be claimed outside the presumption period with medical evidence.
My claim was denied or delayed. What now?
A denial isn't the end. We regularly take on delayed and denied cases and can challenge the decision. Contact us as soon as possible so no deadlines are missed.
What is 4850 time?
Under California Labor Code 4850, many city, county and district firefighters may receive their full salary for up to one year while temporarily disabled by a work injury, instead of standard temporary disability payments. Your eligibility depends on your employer and position.
How much does it cost?
The consultation is free, and if we don't win your case, you pay no fees, ever. Workers' comp attorney fees in California are approved by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Our Lawyers Are Members Of And Recognized By
Specialized representation
Who We Fight For
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Professional Athletes
Years of hits, sprints and collisions add up. Current and former pros who played in California may have a cumulative trauma claim.
Learn more -
Police & Peace Officers
Heart trouble, duty-belt back injuries, PTSD and more may be presumed work-related, plus up to a year of full salary.
Learn more
You Protected Your Community. Let Us Protect You.
Take the free 60-second quiz or call now to speak with an experienced California workers' comp attorney.