Nevada Revised Statutes Section 617.455 - Labor and Industrial Relations

Lung diseases as occupational diseases of firemen and police officers.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, diseases of the lungs, resulting in either temporary or permanent disability or death, are occupational diseases and compensable as such under the provisions of this chapter if caused by exposure to heat, smoke, fumes, tear gas or any other noxious gases, arising out of and in the course of the employment of a person who, for 2 years or more, has been:

(a) Employed in this state in a full-time salaried occupation of fire fighting for the benefit or safety of the public;

(b) Acting as a volunteer fireman in this state and is entitled to the benefits of chapters 616A to 616D, inclusive, of NRS pursuant to the provisions of NRS 616A.145; or

(c) Employed in a full-time salaried occupation as a police officer in this state.

2. Except as provided in subsection 3, each employee who is to be covered for diseases of the lungs pursuant to the provisions of this section shall submit to a physical examination, including a thorough test of the functioning of his lungs and the making of an X-ray film of his lungs, upon employment, upon commencement of the coverage, once every even-numbered year until he is 40 years of age or older and thereafter on an annual basis during his employment.

3. A thorough test of the functioning of the lungs is not required for a volunteer fireman.

4. All physical examinations required pursuant to subsection 2 must be paid for by the employer.

5. A disease of the lungs is conclusively presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the employment of a person who has been employed in a full-time continuous, uninterrupted and salaried occupation as a police officer or fireman for 5 years or more before the date of disablement.

6. Failure to correct predisposing conditions which lead to lung disease when so ordered in writing by the examining physician after the annual examination excludes the employee from the benefits of this section if the correction is within the ability of the employee.

7. A person who is determined to be:

(a) Partially disabled from an occupational disease pursuant to the provisions of this section; and

(b) Incapable of performing, with or without remuneration, work as a fireman or police officer,

Ê may elect to receive the benefits provided under NRS 616C.440 for a permanent total disability.

Last modified: February 25, 2006