Fort Worth denies workers’ comp claim for firefighter who died of pancreatic cancer
A workers’ compensation claim made on behalf a firefighter who died from pancreatic cancer has been turned down by the city.
The research does not support the claim that Capt. Keven Teague’s pancreatic cancer was likely caused by the environmental conditions he experienced during his 24 years with the Fort Worth Fire Department, according to a statement the city released Friday.
Teague, a 46-year-old father of two who died May 24, had a workers’ compensation claim filed by the fire department on behalf of his family on May 16 so that the review process could begin, the city’s statement said.
Officials with the local firefighters association concluded that Teague’s death should be considered to be in the line of duty because he most likely developed cancer as a result of his service as a firefighter. A firefighter who dies from cancer is presumed to have developed the disease due to exposure to heat, carcinogens, smoke or radiation, according to a press release from Fort Worth Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 440.
Fort Worth’s statement makes clear that city administrators do not agree with that position.
Fort Worth is mandated to follow the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which list the types of cancer that have a higher prevalence among firefighters and that are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, the city’s statement said.
A board-certified medical expert in internal medicine with a sub-specialty in medical oncology determined that Teague did not have a disease that may be caused by exposure to heat, smoke, radiation or a known or suspected carcinogen as determined by IARC, according to the city’s claims administrator.
Also, pancreatic cancer is not included in a bill awaiting the governor’s signature that identifies the cancers that are compensable for first responders, the statement says. Due to the determination that Teague’s risk of pancreatic cancer was not more than the general population’s and the pending change in legislation, the difficult decision was made to deny his workers’ compensation claim, the city’s statement says.
“The City of Fort Worth is saddened by the loss of Fire Captain Keven Teague, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer Friday, May 24, 2019,” the statement reads. “The City values all its employees and works to ensure they receive all benefits they are due. “
Later Friday, the firefighters association responded with a statement saying how disappointed they were to learn of the city’s denial of Teague’s claim, which came only days after his funeral.
Association officials will assist the family as they appeal the city’s decision, the association’s statement said.
“It is alarming to our more than 900 members that the city went so far as to reference potential changes to the applicable state law that have not yet been signed by Governor Greg Abbott,” the association’s statement said. “The law that was in effect at the time of Capt. Teague’s diagnosis, at the time of his death, and currently, as of this date, is Chapter 607 of the Texas Government Code.”
The statute refers back to their earlier statement and says that the claim should be processed according to the law as it was written at the time of Teague’s diagnosis.
“Capt. Teague was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and based on the law in effect at the time of his diagnosis and death, his death is presumed to have been in the line-of-duty,” the statement said.
This story was originally published May 31, 2019 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Fort Worth denies workers’ comp claim for firefighter who died of pancreatic cancer."
