House passes bill to allow workers comp for PTSD

NORWALK — The Ohio House approved a bill protecting police officers, firefighters and EMS workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill will allow first responders to be eligible for benefits and compensation, whether there is a physical injury or not. Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) sponsored the bill after hearing personal experiences from first responders. "I've had discussions with many police officers, firefighters and EMS workers about this issue since I started working on this around eight years ago," Patton said in a prepared statement. "Based off their personal experiences and viewpoints of their respective organizations, it's definitely an issue I believe is absolutely necessary." House Bill 308 clarifies that people will not be able to receive benefits form the Workers' Compensation Law for PTSD while receiving disability benefits from a state retirement system. "We have five times the amount of suicides among first responders in any occupation in the state," said Patton. "The mast majority aren't injured by they have been mentally affected by seeing (traumatic events.)" In 2013, the Ohio Supreme Court determined an individual seeking worker's compensation for PTSD was ineligible if they did not have a physical injury that caused their PTSD. "While I greatly respect and admire the legal judgment and knowledge of our Supreme Court, I believe that this verdict could have unintended consequences for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers in our communities who have witnessed horrible traumatic events that can potentially leave them mentally scarred," said Patton on the House floor. The Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Ohio State Medical Association, Columbus Fire Fighters IAFF Local 67 and Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio testified at the Statehouse in support of the bill. "Our brave first responders deserve to have PTSD illnesses treated under our law, even though the law does consider them comparable to a physical injury," said Patton in a prepared statement. "Making this change will ensure the much-needed relief for first responders who have served the public and suffer from PTSD as a result of performing their duties." John Chime, a former police officer and a licensed professional counselor, said many first responders with PTSD can be withdrawn, have nightmares, have low participation in counseling and use alcohol or other substances to cope. "The average person in their lifetime will see maybe one or three traumatic events," said Patton. "First responders see seven a month, they see a lot more than you or I will ever see." According to the Coalition for Healthy Communities, traumatic events causing PTSD symptoms can cause increased sleeplessness, anger, substance and alcohol abuse, negative job performance, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. "PTSD is the result of some kind of trauma, even though the actual danger may have subsided, the feeling or emotion is still being felt when that memory is triggered," Chime said. "These folks are near and dear to my heart, this is something that is a really good step in the right direction." The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has opposed the bill and provided opponent testimony. In a blog post, the chamber said the opposed the bill because "it would remove that physical injury requirement and allow a purely mental condition to be covered under workers' compensation for the first time in history." "I was pleased with the vote, I think (we'll) be able to get the bill past the senate and in front of the governor," Patton said. "I hope the chamber will reassess their position on it before it goes to Senate." HB 308 will move to the Senate for consideration. "My hats are off to (first responders)," Chime said. "They are truly heroes."