Mo. Rev. Stat. § 287.200

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 287.200 - Permanent total disability, amount to be paid - suspension of payments, when - toxic exposure, treatment of claims

1. Compensation for permanent total disability shall be paid during the continuance of such disability from the date of maximum medical improvement for the lifetime of the employee at the weekly rate of compensation in effect under this subsection on the date of the injury for which compensation is being made. The word "employee" as used in this section shall not include the injured worker's dependents, estate, or other persons to whom compensation may be payable as provided in subsection 1 of section 287.020. The amount of such compensation shall be computed as follows:

(1) For all injuries occurring on or after September 28, 1983, but before September 28, 1986, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings during the year immediately preceding the injury, as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to seventy percent of the state average weekly wage, as such wage is determined by the division of employment security, as of the July first immediately preceding the date of injury;

(2) For all injuries occurring on or after September 28, 1986, but before August 28, 1990, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings during the year immediately preceding the injury, as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the state average weekly wage, as such wage is determined by the division of employment security, as of the July first immediately preceding the date of injury;

(3) For all injuries occurring on or after August 28, 1990, but before August 28, 1991, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to one hundred percent of the state average weekly wage;

(4) For all injuries occurring on or after August 28, 1991, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to one hundred five percent of the state average weekly wage;

(5) For all injuries occurring on or after September 28, 1981, the weekly compensation shall in no event be less than forty dollars per week.

2. Permanent total disability benefits that have accrued through the date of the injured employee's death are the only permanent total disability benefits that are to be paid in accordance with section 287.230. The right to unaccrued compensation for permanent total disability of an injured employee terminates on the date of the injured employee's death in accordance with section 287.230, and does not survive to the injured employee's dependents, estate, or other persons to whom compensation might otherwise be payable.

3. All claims for permanent total disability shall be determined in accordance with the facts. When an injured employee receives an award for permanent total disability but by the use of glasses, prosthetic appliances, or physical rehabilitation the employee is restored to his or her regular work or its equivalent, the life payment mentioned in subsection 1 of this section shall be suspended during the time in which the employee is restored to his or her regular work or its equivalent. The employer and the division shall keep the file open in the case during the lifetime of any injured employee who has received an award of permanent total disability. In any case where the life payment is suspended under this subsection, the commission may at reasonable times review the case and either the employee or the employer may request an informal conference with the commission relative to the resumption of the employee's weekly life payment in the case.

4. For all claims filed on or after January 1, 2014, for occupational diseases due to toxic exposure which result in a permanent total disability or death, benefits in this chapter shall be provided as follows:

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, such amount as due to the employee during said employee's life as provided for under this chapter for an award of permanent total disability and death, except such amount shall only be paid when benefits under subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection have been exhausted;

(2) For occupational diseases due to toxic exposure, but not including mesothelioma, an amount equal to two hundred percent of the state's average weekly wage as of the date of diagnosis for one hundred weeks paid by the employer; and

(3) In cases where occupational diseases due to toxic exposure are diagnosed to be mesothelioma:

(a)* For employers that have elected to accept mesothelioma liability under this subsection, an additional amount of three hundred percent of the state's average weekly wage for two hundred twelve weeks shall be paid by the employer or group of employers such employer is a member of. Employers that elect to accept mesothelioma liability under this subsection may do so by either insuring their liability, by qualifying as a self-insurer, or by becoming a member of a group insurance pool. A group of employers may enter into an agreement to pool their liabilities under this subsection. If such group is joined, individual members shall not be required to qualify as individual self-insurers. Such group shall comply with section 287.223. In order for an employer to make such an election, the employer shall provide the department with notice of such an election in a manner established by the department. The provisions of this paragraph shall expire on December 31, 2038; or

(b)* For employers who reject mesothelioma under this subsection, then the exclusive remedy provisions under section 287.120 shall not apply to such liability. The provisions of this paragraph shall expire on December 31, 2038; and

(4) The provisions of subdivision (2) and paragraph (a) of subdivision (3) of this subsection shall not be subject to suspension of benefits as provided in subsection 3 of this section; and

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, should the employee die before the additional benefits provided for in subdivision (2) and paragraph (a) of subdivision (3) of this subsection are paid, the additional benefits are payable to the employee's spouse or children, natural or adopted, legitimate or illegitimate, in addition to benefits provided under section 287.240. If there is no surviving spouse or children and the employee has received less than the additional benefits provided for in subdivision (2) and paragraph (a) of subdivision (3) of this subsection the remainder of such additional benefits shall be paid as a single payment to the estate of the employee;

(6) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be construed to affect the employee's ability to obtain medical treatment at the employer's expense or any other benefits otherwise available under this chapter.

5. Any employee who obtains benefits under subdivision (2) of subsection 4 of this section for acquiring asbestosis who later obtains an award for mesothelioma shall not receive more benefits than such employee would receive having only obtained benefits for mesothelioma under this section.

§ 287.200, RSMo

Amended by 2017 Mo. Laws, SB 66,s A, eff. 8/28/2017.

Prior revision: 1929 § 3316
Effective 6/26/2008