Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Pleased Court Ruling Allows Reform to Continue Protecting Workers, Creating Jobs
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt is pleased with Judge Byron Kinder’s ruling upholding Missouri’s enhanced workers’ compensation law and rejecting unwarranted claims from labor unions.
“Clearly the plan I signed into law has contributed significantly to our improving economic climate and our ability to create family-supporting jobs,” Governor Blunt said. “The decision affirms what we have said all along about the value of our plan to prevent frivolous lawsuits while protecting workers and creating jobs and economic growth.”
The law was one of the first initiatives the governor pushed as part of his pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda. It introduced several improvements to Missouri workers’ compensation system. System improvements included work-related injuries to be the prevailing factor in work comp claims and ensured that employers are liable only for injuries for which they are directly responsible.
The law also limited benefits available to employees found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of their injury. Employees who fail to adhere to their employer’s policy on alcohol and drug use in the workplace in conjunction with the workplace injury will see their benefits reduced by 50 percent, and if alcohol or drug use is found to be the proximate cause of the injury their benefits will be forfeited.
Labor unions unsuccessful and reckless claims ignored the law’s countless benefits to jobs, the economy and Missouri workers.
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