Thanks to strong lobbying efforts by the Professional Fire Fighters Association (PFFA) of Louisiana, the state legislature unanimously passed SB 107 adding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of injuries eligible for workers’ compensation. Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law on June 5.
“This is a tremendous victory for our members in Louisiana,” says General President Harold Schaitberger. “Now they can seek the treatment they need when they need it.”
“PTSD manifests in many ways, from anxiety and depression to – if left untreated – death,” says 14th District Vice President Danny Todd. “On behalf of the 14th District, I am proud of the tremendous effort by our PFFA leaders to get this life-saving legislation passed.”
PFFA President Chad Major says the support of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Ryan Gatti (R), was key. And, as lobbying efforts continued, support for the bill continued to grow.
“Fire fighters and other first responders provided testimony on their personal experiences with post-traumatic stress,” says Major. “Their testimony helped our lawmakers really understand why they needed to support this legislation.”
