In this episode of Shielded, Paolo Longo and Geoff Bichler sit down with a truly unique guest — Robert Asencio, a retired law enforcement officer with more than 25 years of service, a combat veteran, a former Florida House of Representatives member, a former client of Bichler & Longo, and now a passionate advocate for first responders and veterans through his nonprofit Healing Corp.

Robert brings a perspective that almost no one else can offer — having lived the first responder experience from the street level, the legislative level, and the personal level as someone who fought his own Heart Bill claim and won.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Robert's background — 34 years of combined military, law enforcement, and legislative service and what drives his advocacy work today
• His new film Out of the Fire Into the Light — documenting the post-traumatic growth of combat veterans from the Second Battle of Ramadi, and what it means for first responders dealing with similar trauma
• Healing Corp — Robert's nonprofit focused on healing through storytelling for veterans and first responders
• Why employers consistently fail first responders when mental health issues surface on the job — and whether it's intentional or simply a failure of awareness
• The dangerous gap between agencies that talk about supporting their people and what actually happens when a claim is filed
• How compounded trauma builds over a 25-30 year career — and why the average first responder experiences hundreds of traumatic events compared to four or five for a civilian
• The mind-body connection — how untreated PTSD and stress directly contribute to cardiac conditions, hypertension, and AFib (and why Geoff and Paolo see this every day in their cases)
• The culture of silence — why first responders still hesitate to raise their hand, and how that silence destroys careers, families, and lives
• What early intervention actually looks like — and why the clients who come in early almost always finish their careers while the ones who wait often don't
• A behind-the-curtain look at Tallahassee — what really happens when first responder legislation comes up for a vote and why there's more lip service than action
• The 2018 PTSD law — how it passed, why it falls short, and what needs to change
• Robert's role in saving Florida's public sector pension system — protecting $183 billion for public employees statewide
• Why bipartisan collaboration is possible in Tallahassee when the right pressure is applied and the right stories are told
• The suicide crisis — why we are losing more first responders to suicide than to on-the-job injuries and why that is an institutional failing that demands action
• Robert's personal story — his own Heart Bill claim, his ejection fraction dropping to 35%, and what getting the right legal representation meant for his health and his life

The conversation covers the challenges and experiences of filing a workers' comp claim, navigating the legal process, and the importance of seeking benefits and rights to protect first responders. It also highlights the impact of impairment ratings, the doctor-patient relationship, and provides advice for future first responders.

Takeaways

• Filing a claim isn't a fight with the employer, but with the workers' comp insurance company.
• Take care of yourself and don't be afraid to seek the benefits you're owed.
• Listen to your body and seek the benefits and rights in place to protect first responders.

The episode features a mailbag format where listener questions related to workers' comp claims are addressed. Topics include the timeframes for filing a claim, coverage for off-duty incidents, misconceptions about workers' comp, payment and leave policies, reporting a claim, selecting a doctor, mileage reimbursement, transportation services, and access to medical history in workers' comp claims.

Takeaways

• Workers' comp claims have specific timeframes for filing based on the type of injury.
• Workers' comp provides mileage reimbursement for travel to medical appointments.
• Access to medical history in workers' comp claims is limited to relevant records for the specific injury being claimed.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mailbag Episode
• 06:19 Coverage for Off-Duty Incidents
• 11:32 Payment and Leave Policies
• 19:15 Selecting a Doctor for Workers' Comp
• 28:44 Access to Medical History in Workers' Comp

The conversation delves into the challenges and implications of the cancer bill for firefighters, highlighting issues with the death benefit, litigation challenges, and legislative impact. It also explores the adversarial process, enforcement mechanisms, and the future outlook for advocacy and legal implications.

Takeaways

• Cancer bill challenges
• Adversarial process
• Legislative impact

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Cancer and Fire Service
• 05:47 Challenges in Litigation
• 27:42 Proposed Amendments and Future Advocacy
• 32:43 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of Florida’s occupational cancer legislation for firefighters, exploring legal hurdles, benefits, and recent legislative changes. If you're a firefighter, attorney, or policy advocate, this analysis sheds light on how these laws impact claimants and what reforms are on the horizon.

Key Topics Covered:

• Historical challenges in proving firefighter occupational cancer claims
• The significance of Florida statute 112.1816 and its benefits
• How the law offers a program of benefits including a $25,000 payout, out-of-pocket reimbursement, and death benefits
• The importance of maintaining employer-sponsored health insurance post-retirement for eligibility
• Legal hurdles with filing, jurisdiction, and enforcement in related cases
• The impact of recent legislative efforts to streamline benefits and reduce barriers
• The ongoing debate around employer responsibility and workplace safety
• How early screening and prevention could reduce cancer incidence among firefighters
• The significance of recent cases like Cotab and the issues surrounding workers’ compensation vs. death benefits

Summary

This conversation delves into the significant risks firefighters face regarding cancer, emphasizing the invisible dangers associated with repeated exposure to toxic substances. The discussion highlights the legal framework in Florida that recognizes certain cancers as occupational diseases, the scientific research supporting these claims, and the challenges firefighters encounter in obtaining adequate benefits. The speakers also address the disconnect between the benefits provided under workers' compensation and those under the cancer statute, advocating for better legislative clarity and support for firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

Dr. Alexander Chernobelsky, a board-certified cardiologist, discusses the unique challenges of treating first responders for heart conditions, the impact of stress and PTSD on cardiovascular health, and the interplay between mental health and physical well-being. He emphasizes the importance of proactive care, early intervention, and the need for a trusting relationship with a healthcare provider.

Takeaways

• First responders face unique challenges due to their high fitness levels, stress, and denial of symptoms.
• The interplay between mental health, stress, and cardiovascular health is significant and requires proactive care and early intervention.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Specialization of Dr. Chernobelsky
• 05:36 Impact of Stress and Adrenal Response on Heart Disease
• 15:04 Preventative Care and Exercise Capacity Monitoring
• 20:19 Impact of PTSD on Cardiovascular Health
• 31:05 Treatment and Therapy for First Responders
• 42:39 Advice for First Responders and Conclusion

In this conversation, Dr. David Perloff, a board-certified cardiologist, discusses the complexities of heart disease, particularly in the context of first responders and occupational health. He explains the legal and medical definitions of heart disease, the challenges of causation in cardiology, and the importance of proactive cardiac care. The discussion also covers disability assessments, return-to-duty criteria, and the significance of maximum medical improvement and impairment ratings. Dr. Perloff emphasizes the need for proper medical therapy and lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease, which remains a leading cause of death globally.