Personal Injury Trial Lawyers Serving Connecticut for Over 50 Years

Heart & Hypertension Act

October 20, 2008

Press Release

If you are a uniformed member of a paid municipal fire department or a regular member of a paid municipal police department who was hired before July 1, 1996, you may qualify for benefits under Connecticut's Heart & Hypertension Act (C.G.S. Sec. 7-433c).

Under this Act, firefighters or police officers who successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination which fails to reveal any evidence of hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart disease and later become disabled by one of these conditions, are presumed to have suffered that condition in the performance their duties, whether or not it happened on the job.

Once these eligibility requirements are met, you are entitled to two separate and distinct benefits:

Compensation benefits and medical care in the same amount and manner as that provided under the Workers' Compensation Act; and Retirement or survivor benefits from the municipal or state retirement system.

You must file a claim for benefits under the Heart & Hypertension Act within one year. Claims for heart disease usually have a clear date from which to file, i.e., a heart attack. Claims for hypertension, however, are not as clear as there is not a specific event that triggers the onset of that condition. Generally, if you are diagnosed by your physician with hypertension, or are placed on medication for hypertension, or have repeated high blood pressure readings, you should file a claim as soon as possible.

Tremont & Sheldon has a proven track record of successfully representing firefighters and police officers on Heart & Hypertension Act claims and has collected millions of dollars for them. Please do not hesitate to contact Attorney Robert Sheldon with any questions or concerns about whether you qualify for benefits under this law.

If you believe that you have been injured in any manner, you must act swiftly to protect your rights. Please click here if you would like us to review your situation.

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