Can I pursue compensation after suffering from hypertension?
As a first responder, you work tirelessly to keep your community safe. But that also means that you often put your own physical well-being at risk to do so. And those long hours and stressful situations can take a major toll on your body.
As a result, many first responders suffer from hypertension, which is a sign of high blood pressure and a precursor for heart disease, among many other things. If you are a public service member who suffers from hypertension, you may be able to pursue workers’ compensation benefits for your condition.
Heart and Hypertension Act
In 1977, Connecticut passed the Heart and Hypertension Act, a piece of legislation that protects first responders such as police officers and firefighters by allowing them to seek benefits for high blood pressure. Without this act, it would be extremely difficult to seek compensation for hypertension-related injuries, even if your job was a direct cause of them.
The risks of hypertension
If you don’t think your high blood pressure is bad enough to warrant a pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits, think again. Hypertension can spike quickly after repeated high-stress situations like ones that first responders must attend to. High blood pressure can put you at risk of any of the following dangers:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Aneurysm
- Loss of vision
These effects and more can lead to disability, an extreme change in quality of life and even death. However, treatment for hypertension can be costly, especially if it’s necessary to receive ongoing care. That’s why it’s crucial to pursue workers’ compensation for hypertension.
Don’t hesitate to explore your options
Because your job is so demanding, it can be difficult when something like hypertension sets you back. You may be tempted to push through, or you might not want to lose money by taking time off of work.
But as a first responder, you have the right to receive medical compensation and other benefits for suffering from work-related hypertension. Protect yourself, your family and your rights by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
