Va. Appellate Court Affirms Denial of Benefits to Firefighter who Developed Leukemia

RICHMOND, Va. –– A Virginia appellate court has upheld the denial of benefits to a former firefighter who said his leukemia was caused by exposure to toxins during the course of his employment, ruling that he was not disabled as a result of the illness.

In the March 24 opinion, the Virginia Court of Appeals opined that since the claimant was able to work on many of the days for which he attempted to claim total disability, he was not entitled to benefits.

George H. Samartino filed a claim for benefits, contending that he developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia during his …