FAYETTEVILLE — A state appeals court reversed the decision of a fire and police pension board Tuesday and sent the case of a former Springdale firefighter who was denied duty-related disability benefits for his cancer back for a different decision.
Harold W. "Bud" Planchon died April 11, 2014, at the age of 51.
The Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System board found Planchon failed to prove a causal relationship between his disability, colon cancer, and his employment as a firefighter. The board did award non-duty related benefits.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday the board used an incorrect standard to decide whether Planchon's work environment, specifically his exposure to carcinogens, was related to his disease.