Washington State SB 5354 Would Extend Personal Injury Benefits to Police and Firefighters

Washington State Senate Bill 5354 introduced by State Senator James Hargrove (D) of Hoquiam, WA recently would help right a long-overdue wrong on behalf of surviving spouses and children of law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency state personnel who serve and protect us in their line of duty every day. SB 5354 and its companion HB 1445 would amend the Revised Code of Washington 51.32.185 to include law enforcement officers and firefighters who die from heart attacks, strokes and occupationally-related diseases when it appears these illnesses were proximately caused during or shortly after the course of their employment.

Sponsored by St. Sen. Hargrove, along with others such as Roach and Kilmer, the bill was introduced as a result of a Federal Way Police Officer Brian Walsh who died of a heart attack, thus leaving his family without the usual pension benefits that normally come to security personnel when they die in the line of duty. According to Seattle TV news station KOMO4, Walsh's widow is expected to testify on behalf of the new amendment. If passed, it would be retroactive to January 1, 2010, according to the 62nd Washington State Legislature's website.

James Hargrove is a long-time Washington State resident working in the forestry business. He has been a tireless advocate for the homeless, domestic violence victims and called a "champion for children" in 2008 by a state coalition for the homeless. He graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in forest management. A fund was set up at Key Bank on behalf of the deceased officer Brian Walsh's family which is currently taking donations at any branch.

The bill covers full-time state employees who respond to emergency situations like fire suppression, EMTs, disaster relief, prison security, state patrol, as well as those who are actively engaged in any training exercise for such. The death must occur no later than 24 hours after employment or active duty and does not apply to nonroutine situations including clerical or administrative work.

It is interesting to note that workers are being considered for coverage on such things as work-related diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, meningitis, mycrobacterium tuberculosis and some cancers. The amendment to the current survivor pension legislation would be just and equitable considering the constant stress such personnel undergo each and every day. The bill has been referred to the Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for consideration. Appeals, if any, would come out of pocket for the deceased family members or quite possibly the State Accident Fund, if appropriate. Washington residents should all support passage of this amendment which is long overdue to protect the families of emergency workers who risk their lives for us everyday.