If passed, de Blasio’s amended disability pension legislation could be a triumph for disabled workers. The changes made to the original bill would allow three-quarter pensions for uniformed workers hired after 2009 retiring on disability, as well as workers who suffered severe injuries on the job. The original proposed plan gave uniformed workers only 50% of their salaries and was met with backlash from critics who said that 50% was too low for workers who risk their lives on a daily basis to perform their duties.

The proposed changes to the bill also leveled the field by giving newer hires the same disability benefits as those who were hired prior to 2009. Under the original bill, uniformed workers hired post 2009 would have been forced to live on $27 a day if they were injured in the line of duty. Uniformed workers covered under the proposed bill include sanitation workers and corrections officers, as well as police officers and firemen. However, in order to receive the disability benefits, workers would have to qualify for social security first, which has also been a source of contention for union advocates backing the NYPD and NYFD.

It is estimated that the 75% pension plans would cost the city $342 million between 2015 and 2019. De Blasio’s original disability pension plan was calculated to cost the city $47 million.

Uniformed workers are subjected to physical harm daily in the workplace, and risk their lives for the public. In addition, due to the conditions of their employment, they face a number of work related health conditions such as the risk of developing various cancers, stress, sleep deprivation related conditions, depression issues, and heart attacks. According to statistics, firefighters have significantly higher rates of testicular cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma, than the general population. Additionally, due to hectic work schedules and stress, and other factors affecting metabolism, studies have shown that police officers are 8% more likely to develop obesity issues than their civilian counterparts.

If you have been injured during the course of your employment, contact an attorney who is experienced in dealing with disability benefits. Contact an attorney who is experienced in helping clients obtain the benefits they deserve. Call The Law Offices of McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson, & Riordan, LLP at (866)557-7500.

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