Court Affirms Ruling Against Firefighter With non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Vermont's high court has affirmed that the estate of a firefighter cannot claim workers' compensation benefits because it failed to provide a causal connection between general firefighting duties and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Estate of Albert George v. Vermont League of Cities and Towns, No. 2008-374 (Vt. Sup. Ct.).

The state Supreme Court on Jan. 15 affirmed a trial court decision in favor of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns by a 3-2 vote, with the majority finding that epidemiological studies and other evidence offered by the Estate of Albert George failed to meet the "preponderance of the …