Missouri Bill Would Make It Harder To Sue Businesses

ST. LOUIS, MO — A new bill making its way through the General Assembly — HB 1578 — would make it harder to sue businesses for damages under Missouri law. Business groups, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, are praising the bill, which is sponsored by Republican Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer of Odessa, while Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates say the bill would jam up already congested state courts and make it harder to hold companies accountable for wrongdoing or negligence.

The crux of the matter, proponents say, is that judges and juries in St. Louis seem to be much more sympathetic to individuals than to businesses. Because of this, the bill would direct more lawsuits to courts in smaller counties. It would also make it harder for multiple people injured by the same company to file lawsuits together.

The effect would be more lawsuits in smaller courts that already have a backlog of cases, the legislation's opponents say.

“In order to keep them out of St. Louis we’re going to make three parties that have never been to Cole County file their complaint ... in Cole County?” asked Democratic Rep. Gina Mitten of St. Louis.

The proposal has already passed the Missouri House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.

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