MI HB4473

Expands the definition of "personal injury" under workers' compensation to include respiratory and heart diseases for fully paid firefighters, police officers, sheriffs, state police, conservation officers, and motor carrier enforcement division officers that develop during active service and result from job duties.

Creates a rebuttable presumption that respiratory tract, bladder, skin, brain, kidney, blood, and lymphatic cancers are work-related for firefighters and public fire authority members employed for 60 months or more, with exposure to fire suppression, rescue, or emergency medical services hazards.

Allows the presumption of work-related causation to be overcome only by scientific evidence showing the firefighter was a substantial and consistent tobacco user within 10 years before injury and that tobacco use was a significant factor in the cancer's cause or progression.

Requires claimants to first apply for available pension benefits or demonstrate ineligibility before filing workers' compensation claims; if pension is denied, the presumption of work-related injury applies.

Permits employees eligible for pension benefits to also receive workers' compensation medical benefits under section 315 for medical expenses not covered by the pension program.