The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A Smithfield policeman who contracted a life-threatening disease in a long-ago attempt to save an infant’s life may be able to get workman’s compensation after all.
A panel of lawmakers on Tuesday voted to exempt the officer, Kurt Beach, from a requirement that compensation benefits be applied for within five years of an injury.
Beach contracted Hepatitis C while on duty in 1988 giving g CPR in a vain attempt to resuscitate a newborn. The disease was not diagnosed until 1995 and he was denied workman’s compensation because of the five-year statute of limitations.
Beach, 52, has developed grave liver problems as a result of the disease and has not worked since last fall, although he continues to be paid by the Smithfield police.
Beach is on a national waiting list for a liver transplant and should a compatible donor be found, his insurance would pay for the operation. He asked the state to pick up a $250,000 tab for the organ anti-rejection drugs that he would need for a decade – a cost uncovered by insurance.
Del. Bill Barlow, D-Smithfield, introduced a bill that would have granted Beach $250,000 in emergency relief from the state’s general fund, which pays for major programs such as education, public safety and health.
The state normally grants special relief to individuals only when they’ve suffered from a mistake of government, such as being wrongly incarcerated. Lawmakers, while voicing sympathy for Beach, were reluctant to change those ground rules.
There was less concern, however, in creating an exception for Beach in the workman’s compensation regulations because the circumstances behind his disease are so unique.
A House Appropriations subcommittee unanimously approved the compensation payment to Beach. Barlow said he expects the legislation to pass the entire General Assembly.
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Transplant and waiting for a donor
I did not check the box on my license. I waited for a year for a heart transplant and barely...barely made it. I never put much thought into it to be honest. Then it came my turn to wait. All of the worries and overwhelming fears. 7 peoples lives can be saved by one persons gift to donate their organs.
Its truly a gift of life for the recipient,but also for the wife, mother, sister, father, daughter, son,etc.. Its so simple to make a check on your license and make a commitment. You can go to save7lives.org and get the statistics and answer any questions. Please, Please do sign up.
I pray for you and your family Lt. Beach. I am glad that the city has seen fit to help save your life. Especially since you were trying to save anothers life when you got sick. The medications are an expensive part of the whole process. I wonder why there is a statue of limitations to begin with, on someone who was clearly acting on behalf of the city or county?
Workers Comp issues
Any of us that have had workers comp related illnesses or injuries know what a pain in the behind this can be. Often information on rules and requirements have to be researched by the affected person. Many people lose out on treatment because they simply get frustrated. I think the whole system needs to be revamped and loop holes like the one affecting this fine man be closed!
Found this through another article
The donor must have an A or O blood type, be between 18 and 55 years old and in good health. Ideally, the donor would be about the same size as the 6-foot, 220-pound Beach. Beach's insurance should cover the donor's expenses.
For more information, visit www.vcuhealth.org/transplant and click on "Transplant Programs," or call the Hume-Lee Transplant Center at 804-828-4104.
Hepatitis C Awarness
Hepatitis C is the new silent epidemic in which there is no real cure. I have been battling this disease for 5 years in which I applied for disability 2 years ago and still waiting for a hearing. I have undergone the treatment and was a nonresponder. The end result is not only Liver Failure, but it affects daily life. It is a blood disease that can not filter out through the Liver. It affects my heart, kidneys, lungs, etc... Take the time to research this disease. And congrats to you for being able to get a transplant.
God bless him
I hope he finds a donor, I wonder what his blood type is!
Virginia's flawed workers compensation law
Contracting contagious disease is a very real hazard to the profession of public safety. The law must be changed so every worker, Police, Fire & EMS, that contracts a disease while a public safety worker is presumed to have contracted it while on duty. Many diseases do not present symptoms for many years. The burden should not be on the employee that the disease was contracted on duty. The Commonwealth should have to prove it was not.