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Mo. House OKs changes to workers' compensation

The Thomas Jefferson statue stands on the steps of the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. on Dec. 3, 2010. (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
The Thomas Jefferson statue stands on the steps of the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. on Dec. 3, 2010. (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Missouri House members have endorsed legislation designed to undo unexpected fallout from changes made six years ago to the state's workers' compensation system.

Lawmakers in 2005 approved changes to Missouri's workers' compensation system to establish tougher standards for an injured Missourian to qualify. Not all of the changes have gone as planned, and lawmakers this year are considering bills to tweak some of them.

One would bar injured employees from suing their co-workers. The other would state that occupational diseases are covered by the workers' compensation system and would not be handled through lawsuits against employers.

The legislation was given first-round approval by voice vote Tuesday and needs another vote before moving to the Senate.