This section says certain presumptions may be rebutted if evidence shows an unrelated cause was a substantial factor in the disease or illness.
Sec. 607.058. PRESUMPTION REBUTTABLE. (a) A presumption under Section 607.053, 607.054, 607.0545, 607.055, or 607.056 may be rebutted through a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that a risk factor, accident, hazard, or other cause not associated with the individual's service as a detention officer, custodial officer, firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician was a substantial factor in bringing about the individual's disease or illness, without which the disease or illness would not have occurred. (b) A rebuttal offered under this section must include a statement by the person offering the rebuttal that describes, in detail, the evidence that the person reviewed before making the determination that a cause not associated with the individual's service as a detention officer, custodial officer, firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician was a substantial factor in bringing about the individual's disease or illness, without which the disease or illness would not have occurred. (c) In addressing an argument based on a rebuttal offered under this section, an administrative law judge shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law that consider whether a qualified expert, relying on evidence-based medicine, stated the opinion that, based on reasonable medical probability, an identified risk factor, accident, hazard, or other cause not associated with the individual's service as a detention officer, custodial officer, firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician was a substantial factor in bringing about the individual's disease or illness, without which the disease or illness would not have occurred. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 695 (S.B. 310), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 224 (H.B. 1388), Sec. 1, eff. May 29, 2015. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 701 (S.B. 2551), Sec. 2, eff. June 10, 2019. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 993 (S.B. 1582), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 505 (S.B. 22), Sec. 7, eff. June 14, 2021.