How do I file a claim?

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Workers have two reporting requirements:

1. 1. Notify your employer of an on-the-job injury within 30 days of its occurrence and

2. 2. Complete the First Report of Injury form. The FROI form must be signed and submitted to the employer’s insurer or the Department of Labor and Industry within 12 months of the accident or illness. The form must be submitted for all injuries in order to protect your right to benefits in the event a seemingly minor injury develops into a more serious condition.

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First Report of Injury Form

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Your Montana Professional Firefighters encourage members to file a claim even if they do not meet the qualifications under the new law. We expect most claims to be denied even with the new protections. If you file a claim that is denied, please notify the executive board so that we can help you and your family get the benefits you are entitled to.

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How do I qualify?

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Firefighters must meet the following stipulations to be eligible under the current Firefighter Protection Act (MCA 39-71-1402)

• Meet the qualifications of a firefighter under 1sub section 10 (a)

• The firefighter must have undergone, within 90 days of hiring, a medical examination that did not reveal objective medical evidence or a family history of the presumptive occupational disease for compensation is sought.

• The firefighter must have undergone subsequent periodic medical examinations at least once every 2 years. The IAFF and the MTPROFF recommends following the firefighter physical guidelines set forth in NFPA 1582 

Additionally, to qualify for benefits, firefighters may not

• Be a tobacco user

• Used tobacco in the last 10 years prior to contracting occupational illness

• Co-habitated with a tobacco user in the last 10 years prior to contracting occupational illness

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Need help quitting? Visit the Montana Tobacco Quit Line for help.

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What Illnesses are covered

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For illnesses covered, the date that follows is the calculation time used to verify eligibility based on your years of service as a firefighter. Only employment history after July 1st, 2014 may be calculated. All illnesses may be claimed up to 10 years post retirement date. For firefighter can claim lung cancer if they have at least four year of service as a Montana Firefighter after July 1st 2014.

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• LUNG CANCER   4 Years

• LEUKEMIA           5 Years

• BREAST   CANCER          5 Years*

  • (if diagnosis occurs before the FF is 40 years old and doesn’t have genetic predisposition)

• MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION 10 Years

• BRAIN CANCER OF ANY TYPE     10 Years

• COLORECTAL CANCER    10 Years

• ESOPHAGEAL CANCER  10 Years

• MESOTHELIOMA or ASBESTOSIS    10 Years

• BLADDER CANCER    12 Years

• KIDNEY CANCER   15 Years

• MULTIPLE MYELOMA  15 Years

• Non- HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA    15 Years

First Report Of Injury Form.pdf