The Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

Disablement

8.—(1) References in this Scheme to a person’s being permanently disabled are references to his being disabled at the time when the question arises for decision and to his disablement being at that time likely to be permanent.

(2) In determining whether a disablement is permanent, the Board shall have regard to whether the disablement will continue until the person’s normal pension age.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), disablement means incapacity, occasioned by infirmity of mind or body, for the performance of duty, except that, in relation to a child, it means incapacity, so occasioned, to earn a living.

(4) Where it is necessary to determine the degree of a person’s disablement, it shall be determined by reference to the degree to which his earning capacity has been affected as a result of a qualifying injury.

(5) Where, as a result of a qualifying injury, a person is receiving in-patient treatment at a hospital, he shall be treated as being totally disabled.

(6) Where—

(a) a person has retired before becoming disabled; and

(b) the date on which he becomes disabled cannot be ascertained,

it shall be taken to be the date on which the claim that he is disabled is first made known to the Board.