Workers’ compensation statutes have been in effect in Missouri, in one form or another, since 1926. The purpose of these statutes was originally to establish a type of social insurance for employees who were injured on the job. From an economic standpoint, workers’ compensation law is said to be a shifting of costs from industry to the consumer, so that the expense of employees’ injuries is, in theory, spread among society as a whole. In reality, the full cost is not shifted.
Although there were significant amendments to the Missouri workers’ compensation statutes in 2005, court decisions, at times, interpreted the amendments in some unexpected ways. Although there were some significant, employer-friendly reforms in the 2005 amendments, not all of the anticipated employer-friendly reforms took place.
In 2017, the legislature enacted additional reforms favoring employers. Some of the more significant changes are discussed below.
If your organization receives a claim filed through the Workers’ Compensation Division or receives any notices from the Division, it is best to notify your insurer or third-party administrator as soon as possible.
A recent OSHA regulation on post-accident drug testing and any rules employers may have regarding this subject should continue to be...
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