Missouri bill would reinstate workers comp exclusive remedy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—Missouri’s Senate has approved employer-supported legislation that would assure that occupational disease are covered by the state’s workers compensation system.

S.B. 8, sponsored by state Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, also would prohibit employees from suing co-workers for workplace injuries.

The Missouri Senate approved the measure Thursday. On Feb. 10, the Missouri House adopted similar legislation contained in H.B. 162, sponsored by state Rep. Barney Fisher, R-Richards.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports the legislation to correct unintended consequences stemming from workers comp reforms adopted in 2005 and subsequent court decisions, it said in a statement.

Those actions eliminated workers comp exclusive remedy protections previously granted to employers.

Missouri's Supreme Court in 2009 ruled that employees excluded from the state's workers compensation system because of a definition of accidental injury that lawmakers narrowed in 2005 could sue their employers.