Late MN Firefighter First to Get LODD Cancer Benefits

In a landmark ruling, late Saint Paul Fire Capt. Mike Paidar becomes the first firefighter awarded line-of-duty death benefits for cancer in Minnesota.

Source Firehouse.com News

Nov. 2, 2021

Saint Paul Capt. Mike Paidar has been awarded line-of-duty death benefits after succumbing to occupational cancer in August 2020.

After a 14-month wait, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety has ruled that Saint Paul Fire Department Capt. Michael Paidar died in the line of duty as recognized by the State of Minnesota on Aug. 26, 2020.

Capt. Paidar succumbed to an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia which was affirmatively linked to his years as a dedicated public servant.

The ruling by Minnesota DPS Commissioner John Mark Harrington is a historical first for the state's fire service as line-of-duty death benefits had never previously been awarded to a public safety officer who died from cancer.

The LODD benefit provides financial and educational benefits for family members of Minnesota fire service personnel who succumb to occupational cancer.