Fort Worth Report – Online Article – January 20, 2026

When a first responder gets injured on duty, most people assume their workers’ compensation benefits will work quickly and smoothly. However, one Fort Worth firefighter’s case shows that delays and denials can still happen—sometimes at the worst possible time.

After public outcry over a Fort Worth firefighter being denied critical medical services, city leaders say they are taking action to improve how workers’ compensation cases are handled for first responders.

A Firefighter Hurt in the Line of Duty — Then Faced Delays in Care

Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halvorson suffered severe injuries in September while fighting a fire in the city’s Historic Southside. During the incident, a garage door collapsed on him and trapped him inside a burning building.

As a result, Halvorson spent 34 days in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital. He also suffered:

• A dislocated knee

• Multiple ligament tears

• Several third-degree burns

Since the fire, Halvorson said he has undergone six surgeries as of January 20.

Rehab Equipment Was Denied — And That Became the Breaking Point

Although Halvorson continued pushing through recovery, his workers’ comp case hit a major setback after knee surgery this month.

He needed a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine to properly rehabilitate his knee. However, the device was denied, according to his family, delaying critical recovery time.

Halvorson said the denial became his tipping point:

“I’m not getting the care that I need — you can’t just not rehab a knee after surgery.”

He also explained that he faced a five-day delay between surgery and receiving the machine, which left him behind in his recovery plan.

Public Pressure Triggered Immediate Action

Halvorson’s mother, Alisha Cook, posted about the situation on Facebook. Soon after, Fort Worth City Council member Charlie Lauersdorf publicly criticized the city’s workers’ comp administrator, Sedgwick.

In fact, Lauersdorf said he was “declaring war” on Sedgwick and called out the treatment of the very people who keep the city safe.

Shortly after the public response, the city approved Halvorson’s CPM machine.

Fort Worth Announces Changes to Support First Responders

Following the public attention and community backlash, Fort Worth city leadership announced new steps to strengthen workers’ comp support for first responders.

In a statement to city council members, City Manager Jay Chapa said the city will:

1. Add a Dedicated Workers’ Comp Case Manager for First Responders

The Human Resources workers’ comp group will add a new position to serve as a case manager specifically for police, firefighters, and other first responders.

2. Improve Communication About Rights Under Texas Law

The city also plans to communicate more clearly with first responders so they understand their rights and responsibilities under Texas workers’ compensation rules.

State Leaders Are Watching Closely

State Reps. Jared Patterson and John McQueeney publicly supported Halvorson and said they would be monitoring the situation to ensure continued care is provided.

That added oversight matters, because workers’ comp delays don’t just affect paperwork — they affect recovery timelines, long-term outcomes, and return-to-work readiness.

“What About the Next Guy?” The Bigger Problem Behind the Headlines

Halvorson expressed relief that his issue was corrected. Still, he raised the bigger question that many injured workers ask every day:

“If my story is getting denied through workers’ comp, what about the next guy that gets injured?”

In other words, the real concern is consistency. Many first responders face similar delays and denials, but most never receive the public attention needed to fix them quickly.

Why This Matters for Injured Workers (and the System)

First responders deserve fast, fair, medically appropriate care after a job-related injury. Yet this story shows how quickly the system can break down when approvals stall.

Delays in rehabilitation don’t just slow recovery — they can worsen outcomes, prolong disability, and delay return-to-work.

That’s why transparency, accountability, and strong case management matter, especially for those who serve the public.

Video Coverage of This Story

Watch the video report HERE

RescueMeds Supports First Responders Through Workers’ Comp Challenges

At RescueMeds, we believe first responders should never have to fight for basic care after risking their lives on the job.

We support injured workers by helping reduce delays and confusion around:

• prescription access

• delivery coordination

• communication with providers

• documentation and records

Because when injured workers get care on time, outcomes improve — and communities stay stronger.