Mike will help you secure the Florida Heart/Lung Bill Benefits if you qualify
What Is Florida’s Heart/Lung Bill?
Florida Statute § 112.18 — commonly called the Heart Bill or Heart/Lung Presumption — gives qualified first responders a powerful legal presumption that certain serious medical conditions are work-related. If you qualify, you do not have to prove your heart disease, hypertension, or tuberculosis was caused by your job. The law presumes it was, and your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier must provide benefits unless it can overcome the presumption of a non-work-related cause.
The Heart/Lung Bill covers:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart disease (heart attacks, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, SVT, PVCs, endocarditis, and many other cardiac conditions)
- Tuberculosis
(Note: Other lung conditions are generally not covered under this statute; separate cancer and PTSD presumptions exist under other laws.)
What Benefits Can You Receive?
Once the presumption applies, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must provide:
- Full cardiac medical treatment and care (often for life)
- Prescription medications
- Payment for lost wages
- Impairment benefits
- Medical mileage reimbursement
- Potential additional benefits depending on severity (permanent disability, retraining, etc.)
How Mike Overcomes Common Challenges Employers Use
Employers and insurers frequently try to rebut the presumption by pointing to family history, smoking, diet, or other lifestyle factors. They may also dispute whether you actually suffered a “disability". Mike knows every tactic they use and has a proven history of defeating them. His firefighter background allows him to anticipate defenses and build stronger cases from day one.
Critical Timing & Notification Rules
Notify your employer immediately upon diagnosis — ideally within 90 days. Late notice can give the carrier grounds to deny the claim. Mike routinely guides clients through this process to protect their rights.
The 6 Reasons to Choose Mike
- Proven success winning both trial-level and appellate Heart/Lung cases
- 26 years on the job as a firefighter and Battalion Chief
- Primary practice area is Heart/Lung Bill litigation for first responders
- Deep understanding of how these claims are investigated, litigated, and won
- Former IAFF union leader who negotiated contracts and handled labor disputes
- Compassionate advocate who treats every client like a brother or sister in the fire service
Don't Wait
Employers often do not volunteer information about the Heart/Lung Bill. Many first responders lose valuable benefits simply because they don’t know the rules or wait too long. Mike educates, protects, and fights aggressively so you receive every benefit you’ve earned.
Free, confidential case evaluation If you are a Florida first responder diagnosed with hypertension, heart disease, or tuberculosis, contact Mike today. He will personally review your situation and explain exactly how the Heart/Lung Presumption can work for you.
Call (407) 629-8300 to reach Melissa at his office, or contact Mike directly at his cell phone (407) 375-8887. Or fill out the secure form for a prompt callback.
Don’t let your employer or their insurer take advantage of you. Let the firefighter-turned-attorney who has successfully won these cases for years protect your rights and your future.
Contact Mike and Melissa
Contact Mike and Melissa Heart Lung Bill Page
