MISSION – A Rio Grande Valley firefighter became the first kidney cancer survivor in Texas to win a worker’s compensation claim against an insurance company.

For more than a decade, Lt. Homer Salinas worked as a firefighter for the city of Mission. In that time, he was exposed to heat, smoke and carcinogens.

The city’s insurance company, Texas Municipal League, argued that Salinas didn’t develop cancer on the job; a judge ruled otherwise.  

“This is a great victory not only for me but for all firefighters over Texas,” says Salinas. “Just having this ruling sets precedent throughout the state.”

An appeal is still possible if the city’s insurer files a notice before the end of the month.

KRGV’s Carolina Cruz has the details.

Watch the video above for the full story.

RELATED STORY: Mission Battles to Provide Firefighter with Cancer Worker's Compensation