Disabled Firefighter Is Bodybuilder?
Lawyer Says Hobby Helps Firefighter Cope
POSTED: 6:06 am EDT July 14,
2008
UPDATED: 6:42 pm EDT July 14,
2008
Email
Print
BOSTON -- Boston's fire commissioner is urging the city's retirement board to deny the disability claim of a firefighter who competed in a bodybuilding contest even though he claims he can't work because of a back injury.
BFD: Disabled Firefighter Competing As Bodybuilder The Boston Globe reported that Albert Arroyo, 46, reported that he suffered the injury on March 21. His doctor wrote that Arroyo should be granted an accidental disability retirement because he is "permanently disabled." Yet on May 3 after collecting his full $68,000 annual salary tax free for six weeks, Arroyo finished eighth in a bodybuilding competition."It doesn’t meet the common sense test. If you can lift weights every day and workout and get in such good shape that you can be competitive in bodybuilding, certainly you can be an inspector for the Boston Fire Department," Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser said. Arroyo, who inspects buildings as a member of the Fire Prevention Division, has since been shifted from injured leave to regular sick leave, which is taxable, after a doctor determined that any injury was not work-related. A lawyer for Arroyo says bodybuilding helps the firefighter cope with the "rigors" of the job."All that glitters is not gold. As far as Mr. Arroyo is concerned, he is able to compete in bodybuilding contests, but his physician has written letters to the Boston Fire Department saying he is permanently disabled," Arroyo's attorney James Dilday said.Arroyo began weight training in 2000 after doctors recommended it to recover from another injury.
BFD: Disabled Firefighter Competing As Bodybuilder The Boston Globe reported that Albert Arroyo, 46, reported that he suffered the injury on March 21. His doctor wrote that Arroyo should be granted an accidental disability retirement because he is "permanently disabled." Yet on May 3 after collecting his full $68,000 annual salary tax free for six weeks, Arroyo finished eighth in a bodybuilding competition."It doesn’t meet the common sense test. If you can lift weights every day and workout and get in such good shape that you can be competitive in bodybuilding, certainly you can be an inspector for the Boston Fire Department," Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser said. Arroyo, who inspects buildings as a member of the Fire Prevention Division, has since been shifted from injured leave to regular sick leave, which is taxable, after a doctor determined that any injury was not work-related. A lawyer for Arroyo says bodybuilding helps the firefighter cope with the "rigors" of the job."All that glitters is not gold. As far as Mr. Arroyo is concerned, he is able to compete in bodybuilding contests, but his physician has written letters to the Boston Fire Department saying he is permanently disabled," Arroyo's attorney James Dilday said.Arroyo began weight training in 2000 after doctors recommended it to recover from another injury. Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
