Senate Committee Hears Bill to Limit Employee Lawsuit Awards

See Related Stories

2/ 8/2011: Radio Story - The Missouri House of Representatives approves one amendment to workers compensation bill while another amendment fails to garner enough support.

1/20/2011: Newspaper Story - A 2010 court ruling over workers compensation could be reversed

2/10/2011: Radio Story - Missouri's House vote to restrict workers' compensation lawsuits against business.

Intro:	The Missouri Senate debated a bill Tuesday that would limit discrimination lawsuits against business employers.
RunTime:	0:29
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill would place a cap on the damages state courts can be awarded in workplace lawsuits.

Earlier in the day, a Senate committee heard testimony from several attorneys on a similiar measure.

St. Louis attorney Dan O'Keefe says the bill is a necessary protection for small business owners.

The Senate committee did not vote an immediate on the measure, although the Senate gave first round approval to a similar measure the next day.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	The Missouri Senate extended debate action Tuesday on a bill limiting workers from suing their employers.
RunTime:	0:43
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Earlier in the day, a Senate committee heard testimony for a similiar measure limiting discrimination lawsuits.

Shawn D'Abreu,a representative for PARAQUAD, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, says the bill unnecessarily protects large businesses too.

Actuality:	DAB3.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: "Where is the justice then? If a person has proved their case that they have indeed been discriminated against them, then why should a Fortune 500 company have their damages capped?"

On the other side, an attorney said the measure would keep limit the number of unnecessary lawsuits.

A few hours later, the Senate was unable to come to a vote on the issue.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	The Missouri Senate extended debate action Tuesday on a bill limiting workers from suing their employers.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill would place a cap on the damages state courts can award in workplace lawsuits.

Earlier in the day, a Senate committee heard testimony from several attorneys on a similiar measure.

St. Louis attorney Dan O'Keefe says without these caps, the state sees too many lawsuits.

Actuality:	OKEEFE1
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "Anyone with a protected characteristic whether it's their age, their race, their gender, or their religious affiliation and is terminated can essentially make a complaint that it was because of that reason and that person then gets a jury trial."

Representing the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Lynne Bratcher, says she trusts the justice system and finds the caps unnecessary.

Actuality:	BRCHR1.WAV
Run Time:	00:03
Description: "What I've seen in jury trials is that juries usually get it right."

A few hours later, the Senate was unable to come to a vote on the issue.

From the state capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.