First Responders Fight Broken Workers' Comp

0:00North Texas first responders are battling a broken workers' compensation system after risking their lives on the job. Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halverson got crushed under a collapsing garage during a house fire on September 3, 2025, suffering. Severe burns and injuries. Now he's home in therapy, facing more surgeries, but claims parts of his care got denied or delayed. This pattern hits hard across departments. Veteran Shana Moorman, with 27 years in, got launched by a truck into a highway during a crash response on New Year's Eve, 2019. And during 10 surgeries, Fire Captain Daniel Terrell shattered his skull and ribs in a 2024 engine rollover, fighting just to pick his specialists. Arlington firefighter Brady Weaver took a bullet to the lung last March, honored by the governor, yet still pays out of pocket amid denials. These heroes feel betrayed, saying denials drag out recovery and keep them from returning at full strength. More than two dozen shared stories of past around claims, months of agony waiting for approvals and battles just to walk again.

1:06Families hit social media hard, demanding the system hold up its end after they do. Cities logged thousands of claims from 2021 to early 2026. Fort Worth, 8,938 with 7. 122 initial denials, Dallas 9,485 with 773. Denial rates for firefighters drop from 90% a decade ago to around 40% now, thanks to advocates pushing back on insurance, pools and city policies. Fire unions call for more doctor choices and faster approvals that don't eat into recovery time, while cities like Fort Worth plan new HR advocates buy. Fiscal year 2026. State oversight offers priority disputes for first responders, but as these everyday warriors keep showing up, the fights on to fix a set of that truly supports their sacrifice. Stay informed with Dallas News today, AI powered updates.