A Fort Worth firefighter is currently undergoing recovery while simultaneously battling for essential medical care following an injury sustained in the line of duty last year. Caleb Halvorson faced significant obstacles after workers’ compensation initially denied him access to a crucial medical machine necessary for his rehabilitation. This decision was reversed after widespread public outcry, and he also received approval for laser surgery after facing an initial denial.
Halvorson was severely injured while responding to a house fire in September, where he became trapped under a collapsing roof. He suffered extensive second and third degree burns across his body and sustained a dislocated knee among other injuries. After undergoing several major surgeries, he was released from the burn unit at Parkland Hospital.
Throughout this challenging period, Halvorson’s wife had to balance caring for him with the demands of their newborn, who was born thirteen weeks premature. “I can’t walk. I have a newborn at home. I have a wife who’s been doing everything for months,” Halvorson expressed. “I still have to do wound care every day, so she has to shower me and clean my burns, all while taking care of our infant and attending nursing school.”
Upon his release from the hospital, Halvorson anticipated that the hardest part of his journey was behind him. However, he soon encountered difficulties with workers’ compensation when a critical continuous passive motion (CPM) machine was deemed medically necessary by his doctor but initially denied. This setback further hindered his recovery process.
After a swift public response, Sedgwick, the company managing workers’ compensation claims for the city, reversed its denial of the CPM machine the following day. “I broke down a lot because it’s not like I’m asking for anything over the moon,” Halvorson stated. “This is just the bare necessity of what I need. It’s just about bending my leg to help me get better and eventually return to my job.”
In addition to the CPM machine, Halvorson faced multiple denials for laser surgery aimed at restoring movement after his severe burns. After persistent efforts, he ultimately received approval for the procedure. However, he remains anxious about the potential for further treatment denials as he continues his recovery.
Halvorson is actively engaging with city council members and senators to advocate for improvements in support systems for first responders facing similar challenges. He recognizes the daunting nature of this task, especially while he is still on the path to recovery.
As he reflects on his situation, Halvorson expresses concern for fellow firefighters who may not have the same level of support. “What about the next guy? What about the other guys that get hurt every single day? They don’t have this huge support platform, and they are for sure getting denied,” he noted.
Efforts to obtain a statement from Sedgwick resulted in a referral to the city of Fort Worth for further information.
