Missouri House passes bill restricting employee lawsuits

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Intro:	Employees could soon face lawsuit restrictions for workplace injuries after the Missouri House passed a Senate bill changing workers' compensation.
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Wrap: The bill brings workers' comp back to it's 2005 status as the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries.

This makes it more difficult for employees to sue co-workers and employers.

The bill also places occupational diseases, including toxic exposure, under worker's comp.

Democratic Representitive Jacob Hummel's father died from toxic exposure, urging him to speak against it.

Actuality:	HUMMELW.WAV
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Description: "This bill spits in those families' faces--that they have died needlesly. How many lives have been ruined? How many families have been split apart because they didn't care about anything but their profits?"

Republicans argue workers' comp coverage is more efficient than lawsuits.

The Governor has fifteen days to act on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo.

Intro:	The Missouri House joined the Senate in endorsing a bill creating lawsuit restrictions for workplace injuries.
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Wrap: Tighter restrictions on employees suing co-workers and employers would take effect if the Governor signs the bill.

It also places occupationl diseases under worker's comp.

Some Democrats say it is unfair because coverage for toxic exposure is more limited under workers' comp.

But House handler of the bill Republican Todd Richardson says the new bill still allows for employess to collect some remedies.

Actuality:	RICHW.WAV
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Description: "The meat of this bill includes provisions for both the employee and the employer. Nothing about this bill Mr. Speaker changes someone's ability to sue the manufacturer of asbestos or any other toxic substance for that matter."

The Governor has fifteen days to act on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo.

Intro:	Employees' rights to sue co-workers and employers could be restricted after the Missouri House passed a Senate bill changing workers' compensation.
RunTime:	0:45
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill brings workers' comp back to it's 2005 status as the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries.

Lawsuits in the workplace would face tighter restrictions and occupational disease, including toxic exposure, would now be covered by workers' comp.

The House voted to not inclde an emergency clause on the bill, but Bill sponsor Republican Senator Tom Dempsey says it would have been beneficial.

Actuality:	DEMP3.WAV
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Description: "This co-employee liability--we're seeing more and more cases filed where employees are getting sued by other employees. I think the emergency clause would have disclosed that window sooner. Now you're gonna have attorneys that file these cases right up until August 28th."

The Governor has fifteen days to act on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo.