Virginia Officer With Hepatitis C Wants Workers' Compensation Law Changed

Kurt is a nice guy, I know, he was my first FTO when I graduated from the academy. He got Hep C from doing mouth-to-trach saving a crackheads baby that stopped breathing. Saving a live and in return, slowly giving up his own. They should support him, it's job related and he did it in the line of duty performing the highest duty, protection of life. God Bless you, Kurt!

I understand and support Mr. Beach's efforts as I have been battling a Hepatitis C worker's compensation claim for 5 years now. Although I am not in need of a liver transplant at this time, the medical costs have been astronomical thus far.

VA is a ridiculous state for law enforcement. That is why I left there. Crap benefits, too.

Did he contract Hepatitis C in line of duty? The answer is YES! Now since the answer is yes.and we do not know the incubation period for Hepatitis C. The option is either give him workman's compensation or change the law so that law enforcement officers are no longer DUTY BOUND to give first aid. This was definitely in line of duty!

The laws should be changed, to protect all Emergency Workers nationwide. These time bomb diseases like Hep C, are not predictable, as to when they would strke.
The medical privacy laws protect those who have these diseases and do not protect potential rescuers who help these patients in times of crisis.
The assumption should be made that if you are disease free when hired, do not partake in high risk activity, IV drug use or any other potrential exposure to disease, except through doing your job, then the source of you contracting the disease is a job related activity and you should be covered.

Va Workers Comp is a nightmare of police officers. get hurt, cannot return to full duty, your agency is forced to fire you after a set period of time, and then you must sue VA to get your bennies. It's backdated, but that doesn't pay today's bills.
Lt Kurt beach is a fine man and a fine officer, and I am honored to know him.

The officer was doing the RIGHT THING and the system wants to set him up for failure. Our job as cops is hard enough without some "Bean Counter" trying to save the state of VA some money. The Law should be changed across the country, to where if you are a cop, firefighter, medic, nurse, doctor, you get hurt from doing the right thing and your job, you get paid. There is enough insurance fraud in this country that they look the other way on, go after those scumbags.