Including three types of cancer for which rebuttable presumption of injury from employment exists for firefighters

House Bill 2197 would add bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and testicular cancer to the list of conditions for which West Virginia firefighters are presumed to have developed their illness due to job-related exposure. This means firefighters diagnosed with one of these cancers can claim workers' compensation benefits without proving direct work connection, shifting the burden to employers to disprove a job-related cause. The presumption applies only to firefighters covered under state workers' compensation law and would expire on July 1, 2028, unless extended by the legislature. The bill directly affects eligible firefighters seeking compensation for these specific cancers.