Bill > SB1385

This bill modifies numerous provisions of Missouri's workers' compensation law, making significant changes to how workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and related compensation are defined and handled. Key provisions include: narrowing the definition of "accident" and "injury" to require a more specific and identifiable traumatic event; establishing that an injury must be the "prevailing factor" in causing medical conditions and disability; limiting compensation for certain types of injuries and diseases; modifying rules around occupational diseases, including creating specific criteria for recognizing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders; changing how average weekly wages are calculated; adjusting rules for the Second Injury Fund; and modifying procedures for filing claims, reporting injuries, and receiving compensation. The bill appears designed to make workers' compensation claims more restrictive and precise, potentially making it more challenging for employees to receive benefits while providing clearer guidelines for employers and insurance carriers. The changes impact multiple aspects of workers' compensation law, from definitional terms to procedural requirements, and seem intended to create a more structured and controlled compensation system.

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https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=442