Las Vegas, NV (December 2nd, 2025) – Governor Joe Lombardo has signed Senate Bill 7, restoring critical workers’ compensation protections for Nevada firefighters and police officers who develop lung disease and other conditions from years of hazardous exposure on the job. The law, which takes effect immediately and applies retroactively, reaffirms the conclusive presumption standard that has protected Las Vegas first responders since 1989.
If you’re a first responder in Las Vegas dealing with a work-related illness or injury, you need experienced legal representation to navigate the workers’ compensation system. Contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at 702-388-2005 to discuss your case and ensure you receive the benefits you’ve earned through your service to our community.
Understanding the New Workers’ Compensation Law for Nevada First Responders
Senate Bill 7 represents a crucial step in protecting Nevada’s firefighters, arson investigators, and police officers when they develop occupational illnesses. The legislation reinforces a legal framework that recognizes the inherent health risks these professionals face during their careers.
At the heart of this law is a concept called conclusive presumption, which Nevada established more than three decades ago. This principle acknowledges a simple reality: first responders with at least two years of service have inevitably encountered dangerous substances during their work. Whether responding to structure fires, handling hazardous materials incidents, or managing civil unrest situations, these professionals face repeated exposure to toxins and carcinogens. When they later develop respiratory conditions or other related illnesses, the law recognizes the clear connection between their work and their health problems.
Why Las Vegas First Responders Need Strong Workers’ Compensation Coverage
The health risks facing Nevada’s emergency personnel are well-documented and tragically real. Throughout the Las Vegas valley, the legacy of occupational illness among first responders serves as a stark reminder of why these protections matter. Many fire stations stand as memorials to those who succumbed to cancers and diseases linked to their years of service.
For decades, first responders and their families have faced unnecessary obstacles when seeking workers’ compensation benefits for clearly work-related conditions. Some have endured lengthy claims processes while their health declined, fighting for coverage that should have been straightforward. The goal of Senate Bill 7 is to eliminate these barriers and ensure that those who protect Las Vegas receive timely access to medical care and benefits when occupational exposures make them sick.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The urgency behind Senate Bill 7 stems from a recent Nevada Supreme Court decision that created significant uncertainty in workers’ compensation law. The November ruling suggested that first responders would need to prove specific instances of hazardous exposure, even after careers spanning many years in roles with well-established health risks.
This evidentiary standard created an unrealistic burden. Emergency responders don’t catalog every toxic exposure during their careers. A firefighter who battles hundreds of blazes over two decades cannot pinpoint which specific incident caused their lung disease. A police officer exposed to tear gas and other chemical agents at numerous scenes cannot identify the exact moment their respiratory problems began. The cumulative nature of occupational exposure makes such proof nearly impossible to produce.
Senate Bill 7 eliminates this problematic requirement by restoring the presumption that first responders with sufficient service time have experienced hazardous exposures. This approach reflects both common sense and medical reality. The law now properly places the evidentiary burden where it belongs, rather than forcing sick first responders to produce documentation that doesn’t exist.
The Financial and Human Cost
Workers’ compensation claims for occupational illnesses among first responders represent substantial costs to Nevada municipalities and counties. Clark County alone reported hundreds of millions in claims and projected liability for fiscal year 2024. Some government entities raised concerns about the financial implications of expanded coverage during legislative testimony.
However, advocates for the legislation emphasized that the human toll of denying legitimate claims far exceeds any budgetary considerations. When first responders develop debilitating conditions after careers dedicated to public safety, providing proper medical care and compensation is both a legal and moral obligation.
The retroactive application of Senate Bill 7 means that first responders with pending or previously denied claims may now qualify for coverage under the restored legal standard. This provision ensures that justice is not limited to future cases but extends to those who have already been fighting for benefits they deserve.
Beyond First Responders: Workers’ Compensation Rights for All Nevada Workers
While Senate Bill 7 specifically addresses first responders, it highlights an important principle that applies to all workers in Nevada: when your job makes you sick or causes injury, you deserve compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and related expenses.
Workers’ compensation claims can arise from a single traumatic incident or from cumulative exposure over time. Construction workers, healthcare professionals, manufacturing employees, and workers in countless other industries face occupational hazards that can lead to serious health problems.
The challenges first responders faced in proving their illnesses were work-related mirror struggles that other Nevada workers encounter. Insurance companies often look for reasons to deny claims or minimize payouts. Having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side ensures someone is fighting for your interests throughout the process.
Taking Action on Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Whether you’re a Las Vegas firefighter dealing with lung disease, a police officer diagnosed with cancer, or any Nevada worker facing health problems related to your job, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Workers’ compensation claims have deadlines, and early legal involvement can strengthen your case.
Document your condition, follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, and notify your employer promptly about your work-related health issue. Then reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer who can guide you through the claims process and advocate for the full benefits you deserve.
Contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at 702-388-2005to discuss your workers’ compensation case. We provide clear guidance and strong representation for Las Vegas workers navigating occupational injury and illness claims.
