Firefighter Skin Cancer and Melanoma: State Laws

Is firefighter skin cancer covered in your state?

21 states name skin cancer in their firefighter cancer law, and 13 more presume it came from the job when it is linked to what you were exposed to.

Check skin cancer in your state

Named in state law: 21 states; the law lists it by name
If linked to the job: 13 more states; a presumption for cancers tied to an exposure
Federal firefighters: Named; after 5 years of service
Research (IARC, 2022): Limited evidence; a likely link, not yet proven

Sources: each state's law, linked on its page; 5 U.S.C. § 8143b for federal firefighters; IARC Monographs volume 132.

Which states presume skin cancer for firefighters?

States that name skin cancer (21)

Presumed when linked to your work (13)

The law covers any cancer tied to a job exposure, so your claim has to show the link.

A cancer benefit instead of a presumption (4)

Your department carries insurance that pays a set benefit for skin cancer. A workers' comp claim is separate.

Another rule or not covered (12)

Skin cancer is not presumed here; the state page says what the law does cover.

Call about skin cancer

Questions about your diagnosis, your service or your deadline go to the claims line: +1 833 853 0496

Skin cancer and firefighting: what the research says

In June 2022 the World Health Organization's cancer agency rated firefighting itself as a cause of cancer in people, its top rating (IARC Monographs volume 132). For melanoma of the skin it found limited evidence: a likely link that is not yet proven.

NIOSH points to a California study of about 4,000 firefighters that found higher odds of melanoma (NIOSH firefighter registry). Many state laws name melanoma only, so check how your state words it.

How do you file a firefighter skin cancer claim?

Get the diagnosis in writing: the type of skin cancer and the date it was found.

Open your state's page above for the claims board, the claim form and the time limits for telling your department and for filing.

If your state names skin cancer, say so on the claim and name the law. If it does not, ask your doctor for a signed note saying your work caused it.

Skin cancer is not one of the six illnesses in the firefighting foam lawsuit (MDL 2873), so the AFFF cases do not cover it. Federal firefighters and 9/11 responders have their own programs: the federal presumption and the 9/11 health and compensation programs.