A new bill introduced to honor a fallen New York firefighter would include vascular rupture among the injuries covered by the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.
Whitehall firefighter James Brooks Jr., who was a second assistant chief with the department, was at a fire call on May 2 when he suffered an aortic rupture. While trying to recover, he suffered three strokes and was confined to a wheelchair before passing away Sept. 27.
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At the time of his death, Brooks had around a million dollars in medical bills but his workers' compensation claim. The family is still appealing that decision.
Under the new bill, which is called the Chief James Brooks Jr. Act, presumptive coverage for vascular ruptures that occur on the job would be covered similarly to heart attacks, the Post Star reports. The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Sen. Dan Stec and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
“Most of us will fortunately never need the help of a volunteer firefighter,” Stec stated in a press release. “But for those who do, it’s wonderful knowing that help is on the way. Assistant Chief James Brooks was one of those special individuals who would put his life on hold to rush to help others.”
