Coworker liability, occupational disease key parts of Missouri comp bill

Legislation that would move co-employee liability and occupational disease coverage back into the workers' comp system is on its way to the governor, according to the state Chamber of Commerce.

The organization is one of several business and insurance entities supporting the proposal.

The measure would prohibit injured workers from suing coworkers for their occupational injuries. S.B. 572 states that "co-employees shall be released from all liability for workplace injuries or death for which compensation is recoverable under the workers' compensation statutes."

NFL seeks to seal the deal against players filing in California (04/19/12)
Washington: DLI looks to establish medical provider network (09/10/12)
Physician-owned surgery centers come under researchers' scrutiny (06/18/12)
Coalition disputes contentions in think tank's report on N.Y. assessments (04/19/12)
Report outlines effective strategies for successful self-insurance groups (06/18/12)

The bill would also include occupational diseases under the workers' comp system instead of allowing those claims to be battled out in court. Opponents have argued the system cannot fairly compensate people who suffer from certain occupational diseases such as those caused by asbestos exposure or toxic chemicals.

The bill also increases the death benefit to $10,000 from $5,000. The legislation was passed by both chambers and sent to Gov. Jay Nixon.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

March 22, 2012

Newsletter Sign-up