Lawmakers to Mull Cancer Presumption, Appeal Bills

Proposed legislation in Tennessee would give firefighters a rebuttable cancer presumption, while another bill would allow the state Supreme Court to avoid appeals until after they are addressed by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. The proposals are among more than a half-dozen workers’ compensation-related measures before lawmakers. House Bill 1491/Senate Bill 1798 would create the Tennessee Firefighter Cancer Act and would specify coverage for 10 types of cancer. Firefighters would have to meet three conditions to qualify for the presumption: Exposure to heat, sm...