Occupations such as California game wardens and park rangers have an increased risk of developing skin cancer due to their work, which requires some workers to be exposed to the sun for extended periods. California’s lawmakers are now advancing assembly bill 334, which aims to establish a presumptive benefit for these workers if they are diagnosed with skin cancer.
Assembly bill 334 will automatically establish a presumptive benefit for these workers if they are diagnosed with skin cancer. The implications of this bill mean that if a worker filed for workers’ compensation due to skin cancer, the workers’ compensation claims adjuster would automatically accept their claim for skin cancer. The employer would then be responsible for proving or disproving that the nature of their employment caused this work-acquired illness. Assemblymember Kervin Mullin, a survivor of skin cancer, authored this bill.
Skin Cancer Data
Of all the various types of cancer, skin cancer is one of the most common forms diagnosed in the United States. It’s currently estimated that around one in five Americans may develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. Approximately 9,500 individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer daily. According to the American Cancer Society, there are around 3.3 million individual cases of skin cancer in the United States alone.
Other Protected Groups of California Occupations
California game wardens and park rangers are subject to this newly legislated workers comp presumption for skin cancer. Currently, California police and lifeguards, and other public safety occupations already have this same presumptive benefit for skin cancer. This assembly bill has been legislated because of the alarming number of individuals who have had to exhaust their sick pay and vacation leave to recover from a skin cancer diagnosis.
Suppose you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or have acquired another work-related injury or illness. Our Sacramento workers comp attorneys at Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, P.C. want to help you obtain the legal compensation you deserve. Our Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys’ team has a track record of success handling all types of workers’ compensation cases. To reach one of our expert workers’ compensation attorneys, please call us at (916) 288-9193 to take advantage of your FREE no-obligation consultation, or visit our website to check out our email contact page.