R.I. Supreme Court Says Prostate Cancer an 'Injured-on-Duty' Illness

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A special sick-leave benefit for firefighters that ensures coverage for cancer mandates "Injured-on-Duty" status for a fire chief who took extended leave for treatment of prostate cancer, Rhode Island's Supreme Court has ruled. City of East Providence v. International Association of Firefighters, Local 850, No. 2007-277 (R.I. Sup. Ct.).

The state's high court said Nov. 20 in ordering 44 days of sick time restored to the East Providence, R.I., battalion chief, that an arbitrator was correct in ruling that the statute required the city to forego the assessment of sick leave under its collective bargaining agreement with …