Tagged: second injury fund

Legislation that would revive Missouri's ailing Second Injury Fund and seek to reduce the number of occupational disease lawsuits was passed Thursday by the Missouri House.  It had already passed the Missouri Senate during pre-dawn hours on Wednesday.

Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to legislation replenishing an insolvent state fund for disabled workers and changing the way people get compensation for job-related illnesses.

The bill sent to the governor Thursday marks a compromise among some business groups and attorneys who represent injured workers.

Early this morning, the Missouri Senate passed legislation that would fix the state's ailing Second Injury Fund.

The fund is designed to help disabled workers who suffer a second work-related injury.  It began running out of money after lawmakers eight years ago capped the surcharge businesses have to pay into it.  Senate Bill 1, sponsored by State Senator Scott Rupp (R, Wentzville), would temporarily increase the surcharge.

The Missouri Senate on Tuesday night gave first-round approval to a workers’ compensation bill that includes a proposed fix for the state’s ailing Second Injury Fund.

Senate Bill 1 would replenish the fund by temporarily doubling the fees business may be charged, while restricting the types of injuries that would be covered.  The sponsor, State Senator Scott Rupp (R, Wentzville), calls it an ideal compromise.

Missouri senators are preparing to debate legislation to revive an insolvent fund for disabled workers.
The state's Second Injury Fund has a deficit of about $25 million that is expected to keep growing.

The fund provides compensation to people with previously existing disabilities who then suffer an additional work-related injury or illness. It's financed by a surcharge on workers' compensation insurance premiums. But the revenues haven't kept up with expenses.