Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald, Saturday, December 9, 1989
Diedtra Henderson, Herald Staff Writer
The 18-year firefighter filed a worker's compensation claim Monday, saying he contracted a rare disease, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Nov. 4 after "repeated contacts with trauma victims with AIDS." The rare form of pneumonia is one of a host of infections that signal the onset of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, experts say.
The 40-year-old, whose name is not being used to protect his privacy, contracted AIDS because he was exposed to the body fluids of thousands of patients over his career, according to his attorney, Bob Sugarman.
"Ride with the rescue truck some night and watch the guys who are bathed in the blood of their unknown victims," Sugarman said. "There are patients, sick patients, who they take care of, who they bring back to life. They never know what diseases these people have."
If the firefighter/emergency medical technician's claim is upheld, it may be the first case of its kind in the nation, according to a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
The firefighter has declined to comment. He was readmitted to Humana Hospital Bennett in Plantation on Friday.
Hallandale officials would not say whether they think the man contracted AIDS on the job.
"He was assuming that was the only possibility that existed," said Hallandale Fire Chief Chris Lambert. "The potential is always there. But the potential is always there on the street whether on duty or not."
AIDS is most commonly transmitted by sexual contact, sharing dirty needles, transfusion with AIDS-tainted blood and by infected mothers who pass the deadly virus to their babies.
CDC spokesman Charles Fallis said there have been 18 reported cases of workplace AIDS exposure.
In 11 cases, nurses and emergency-room workers were pricked with dirty needles. Two contracted AIDS when tainted blood or body fluids seeped through open cuts. Five others were splashed by fluids in the eyes, nose or mouth.
"We have no HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) infection among paramedics or firefighters, to my knowledge," Fallis said.
The city's Workers Compensation carrier, Insurance Servicing and Adjusting, would not comment on the claim Friday.
The carrier normally approves undisputed claims within two days, said Paula Rouse, a claims representative. It has 21 days to investigate if it intends to deny a claim.
City Manager R.J. Intindola said the city will keep the firefighter on the payroll until the claim is decided.
Even if Insurance Servicing turns down the claim, the city will pay the man's $723 weekly salary and medical bills, Intindola said.
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