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MO Senate passes workplace injury changes

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the clyde

The Missouri Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit employees from suing co-workers for injuries they sustain on the job.

Senators voted 28-6 in favor of the bill Thursday. Majority Leader Tom Dempsey, who sponsored the measure, says the change will be fairer to workers and protect them from having to pay large court judgments. The legislation also provides for workers' compensation coverage of occupational diseases. Such diseases were removed from the program under a 2005 law. Opponents say the workers' compensation system would not be able to fairly compensate people who suffer from occupational diseases, such as those cause by asbestos exposure or toxic chemicals. The bill now goes to the House, which passed similar legislation last year.

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