2013 Idaho Statutes
Title 72 - WORKER'S COMPENSATION AND RELATED LAWS -- INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Chapter 14 - FIREMEN'S RETIREMENT FUND
Section 72-1445 - PENSION PAYMENT -- RETIREMENT OF FIREFIGHTER INCAPACITATED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY.
Upon application of a firefighter or his or her department head for a service disability retirement, and prior to said retirement, a medical examination of said firefighter shall be given by a medical committee consisting of a physician named by the public employee retirement system board, a physician named by the firefighter claiming benefits, and a third physician designated by the first two (2) physicians so named. If the medical committee, by a majority opinion certifies in writing, that: (1) the firefighter is physically incapacitated for the efficient performance of the duties as a paid firefighter, as defined under the provisions of subsection (G), section 72-1403, Idaho Code, in the service of the city or fire district, (2) such incapacity is likely to be permanent, (3) the member should be retired, and (4) there is medical evidence of probative value including reports of clinical findings (such as the individual's medical history, physical status examinations), laboratory findings, diagnosis and treatment prescribed and response to such treatment, the public employee retirement system board may approve such application for retirement as provided herein.
If the disabled firefighter is still retired at the conclusion of the two (2) year period, the public employee retirement system board shall determine whether the disability renders the disabled firefighter totally incapacitated. "Totally incapacitated" as used in this section means the inability to perform work in any remunerative employment. It is not necessary for a person to be absolutely helpless or entirely unable to do anything worthy of compensation to be considered totally incapacitated. If the person is so incapacitated that substantially all the avenues of gainful employment are reasonably closed to him, his condition is within the meaning of "totally incapacitated." In evaluating whether a person is totally incapacitated, the medical factor of permanent impairment and nonmedical factors such as age, sex, education, economic and social environment, and training and usable skills shall be considered. If the disabled firefighter is totally incapacitated, then payments shall continue at the rate prescribed in this section during the period of total incapacity. A medical committee may be summoned to determine total incapacity as provided above.
(2) If the disabled firefighter is less than totally incapacitated at the end of the two (2) year period, but has a disability which reduces his presumed ability to engage in gainful activity, payments shall be made to the disabled firefighter during the period of his disability as hereinafter provided. The board shall determine the percentage of disability suffered by the disabled firefighter as compared to the whole man. A medical committee, comprised as prescribed in this section, may be summoned to determine the percentage of disability suffered by the disabled firefighter. The disabled firefighter shall receive a disability benefit equal to the percentage that his disability bears to a totally incapacitated person.
(3) The public employee retirement system board shall provide and maintain disability benefits for all paid firefighters. Their benefits shall be as follows:
History:
[(72-1445) I.C., sec. 72-1430H, as added by 1976, ch. 170, sec. 1, p. 622; am. 1976, ch. 273, sec. 8, p. 930; am. 1979, ch. 146, sec. 2, p. 447; am. 1980, ch. 50, sec. 33, p. 97; am. 1990, ch. 211, sec. 6, p. 477; 1990, am. and redesignated, ch. 231, sec. 95, p. 657; am. 1993, ch. 178, sec. 2, p. 458.]
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.