Missouri Supreme Court upholds workers' comp law

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a ruling on a constitutional challenge that was brought against changes made in 2005 to the state workers' compensation system.

The court dismissed eight of the nine arguments brought forth by the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans, saying the appellants did not have standing to challenge the law's constitutionality. Arguments in the case were heard more than a year ago.

The court did respond to one of the group's arguments, which sought a declaratory judgment on the 2005 law that narrowed the definition of the types of injuries that could be covered under workers' comp. In its judgment, the court said the removal of certain injuries places workers outside of the workers' comp system, and that individuals who receive those injuries can seek recovery in civil court.

"The question of whether certain employees have remedies under the current workers' compensation laws or under common law will have to be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on individual facts," according to the court opinion.

In a statement about the court's ruling, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported the decision.

"Missouri employers are pleased," said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. "The court's ruling preserved the intent of the law, which sought to return balance to Missouri's workers' compensation system by reducing fraud and defining more clearly what should be considered a compensable work injury."[[In-content Ad]]