Oregon law expands list of compensable cancers for firefighters
A new Oregon law went into effect Jan. 1 that adds 12 types of cancer to the state's list of cancers presumed to be work-related for non-volunteer firefighters under Oregon's workers' compensation system.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) signed H.B. 2420 (.pdf file) on March 19, 2009. The law applies to cancers first diagnosed by a physician after July 1, 2009.
Firefighter cancer presumption laws remain a hot-button issue. Last year, the Washington-based National League of Cities issued a report (.pdf file) questioning the evidence behind such laws, which was then disputed by the Fairfax, VA-based International Association of Fire Chiefs.
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