JCC Presumes Sheriff’s CAD Compensable and Grants Cardiology Treatment

Eric Carlson, an Indian River County Sheriff’s deputy with more than 20 years of service, sought compensability of coronary artery disease under Florida’s Heart/Lung Bill after an abnormal stress test and cardiac catheterization revealed mid-LAD blockage. He also asked for authorization of a cardiologist to treat the CAD and hypertension, plus fees and costs.

Judge Barbara K. Case found the catheterization served both diagnostic and treatment purposes for Carlson’s already-diagnosed heart disease, and that the resulting off-work period satisfied the disability element required for the section 112.18 presumption. Relying on the testimony of Dr. Howard Tee and Dr. Steven Borzak, the order also held the employer/carrier failed to rebut the presumption because the medical evidence did not establish an entirely non-occupational cause of the CAD.

The amended order grants compensability of the coronary artery disease, authorizes a cardiologist to treat that condition, and awards attorney’s fees and costs. It denies the separate request to treat hypertension under a hindrance-to-recovery theory, finding the record did not show hypertension treatment was necessary to remove a hindrance to proper CAD care.

Source: Compensation Order