Court Clarifies Applicable Law for Claim Against 2nd Injury Fund

The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled that a worker’s permanent total disability award from the state Second Injury Fund is subject to the standard of compensability for claims filed before Jan. 1, 2014. Case: Coffer v. Treasurer, No. SD36471, 04/14/2020, published. Facts and procedural history: An administrative law judge awarded Lisa Coffer permanent total disability benefits from the state Second Injury Fund, pursuant to Missouri Revised Code Section 287.220.2, which governs awards of permanent disability where there has been a previous disability due to injuries before Jan....