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Workers' comp bill goes to Nixon

Missouri lawmakers have sent the governor a bill that would prohibit employees from suing co-workers for injuries they sustain on the job.
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Missouri lawmakers have sent the governor a bill that would prohibit employees from suing co-workers for injuries they sustain on the job.

Missouri lawmakers have sent the governor a bill that would prohibit employees from suing co-workers for injuries they sustain on the job.

The legislation also includes occupational diseases under the workers' compensation system, instead of allowing such claims to be battled out in court.

The House gave the bill final approval Wednesday by an 87-68 vote. The Senate passed it previously, meaning the bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

The bill was a priority for Republican legislative leaders and business groups. It tweaks a 2005 law that overhauled Missouri's workers' compensation system.

Some Democrats contend the workers' compensation system cannot fairly compensate people who suffer from some occupational diseases, such as those cause by asbestos exposure or toxic chemicals.

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