Goodwin, Francis

Applicant Francis Goodwin, a firefighter employed from 1974 to December 2009, was diagnosed with essential thrombocytosis (a form of bone marrow cancer) on or about August 19/March 20, 2021. The WCJ found applicant entitled to the cancer presumption under Labor Code section 3212.1, and defendant sought reconsideration arguing the cancer manifested approximately 140 months after termination of service, well beyond the 105-month extension (capped at 120 months) provided by the statute. The dispute centered on whether the cancer 'developed' within the presumption period even though it 'manifested' outside it. Relying on IME Dr. Jonathan Green's opinion that bone marrow cancers generally have a latency period of five to ten years, the WCAB found applicant's cancer developed within the 105-month statutory extension period that ran until 2017/2018. The Board adopted the WCJ's Report and denied reconsideration.