New law replenishes Missouri’s workers’ comp fund

Jefferson City, MO – A fund that owes millions to injured workers in Missouri is set to be replenished through a new business surcharge beginning in 2014.

Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on July 10 signed a bill to shore up the Second Injury Fund and make other changes to the state’s workers’ compensation program. SIF provides additional compensation to people who suffer a work-related injury that is combined with a prior work-related disability.

In recent years, SIF had been unable to fully pay claims, but the new law adds a temporary surcharge on top of workers’ comp premiums employers currently pay as part of an effort to replenish the fund.

The bill also adds occupational illnesses to the workers’ comp system.

Missouri owes about $32 million to more than 1,300 injured workers, according to state Attorney General Chris Koster, whose office handles SIF claims. Because the bill’s provisions do not go into effect until Jan. 1, the increased revenue authorized by the law will not be seen until April, a press release from Koster’s office states.