(Olympia, WA) -- A measure that's intended to help sick Hanford nuclear reservation workers get their workers' compensation claims accepted is awaiting action in a Senate committee. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is among those in support of the measure, which would grant a presumption of occupational illness for Hanford workers, similar to what lawmakers granted to firefighters in 1987. Included are respiratory disease, heart problems experienced after exposure to toxic chemicals, neurological diseases such as occupational induced dementia, and certain cancers. KING-5 reports worker compensation claims at Hanford are rejected at a rate that's 52 percent higher than the state average.