Firefighter Battling Cancer Now Fights For Workers' Compensation
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BEDFORD (CBSDFW.COM) - A Bedford firefighter battling cancer is in the process of trying to get a different kind of medical assistance, and he's got a lot of support.
A hearing behind closed doors Wednesday morning could determine if veteran firefighter Keith Long will receive workers compensation. The Lieutenant has been battling lung cancer for more than two years.
There was no shortage of support for Long outside the meeting at the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation office. Firefighters from other departments say they came out to make sure Long knew he wasn't alone.
Long, a more than 20-year fire veteran, applied for workers compensation to cover the costs of his Stage 4 cancer, but the city of Bedford denied it.
Long believes he got cancer because of the exposures to dangerous chemicals he has while working.
Wednesday's hearing was to determine why his claim was denied and if he's actually eligible for the wage replacement insurance.
Chris Conner, the president of the Bedford Professional Firefighter Association, was among those who came out to support Long. "Everything he's doing is on his own dollar. He does chemo, medical bills, [and] if he has to use a day off for sickness he uses his own time. If it's workman's [sic] comp or line of duty the then the workman's compensation they actually pick up all the medical costs [and will] pretty much take care of him from that point on."
Lieutenant Long does have health insurance.
A state spokesperson at the meeting said worker's compensation hearings are confidential, so not a lot of details can be released.
The hearing is expected to wrap up in the afternoon and a decision could come down within two weeks.
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