Don't Make it Harder to Sue Corporations For Latent Injuries

I urge you to oppose SB268 (Trent), HB69 (Overcast), SB314 (Trent), HB437 (Hardwick), and SB312 (Trent), which unjustly tilt our civil justice system in favor of corporations, insurers, and defendants at the expense of injured Missourians. These bills undermine accountability, transparency, and fairness in ways that will harm vulnerable individuals and families, particularly those suffering from latent injuries caused by toxic exposures like asbestos, glyphosate, or PFAS. Demanding sworn, specific evidence within 30 days for latent injury claims ignores the reality of these cases: victims often lack immediate access to corporate records proving causation. By halting discovery until plaintiffs meet an unrealistic threshold, this bill lets negligent corporations evade responsibility. For example, imagine someone in their 70s, recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, racing to secure their family’s future while battling chemotherapy. Imagine demanding they recall every asbestos-containing product they encountered over 50 years of work—within 30 days of filing a lawsuit. This is the cruel reality of this bill. But this isn’t just about asbestos. Think of future cases: A farmworker exposed to glyphosate, a firefighter exposed to PFAS “forever chemicals,” or a parent whose child drank contaminated water. Latent diseases take decades to surface. Additionally, the collateral source provision restricts evidence of the full value of medical care by allowing only the discounted “actual cost” paid by insurers—not the billed amount—to be presented to juries. This creates a distorted picture of harm. For example, a patient with 100,000 in medical bills may see their insurer negotiate the cost down to $30,000, but this does not reflect the lifetime value of care needed for catastrophic injuries. Juries would be barred from considering the true financial burden of future care, leaving plaintiffs undercompensated. Regarding time-limited settlements, mandating that settlement offers remain open for at least 90 days strips plaintiffs of leverage to resolve claims efficiently. Insurers already drag out litigation to pressure desperate plaintiffs—often those facing medical bills or lost wages—into accepting lowball offers. This provision institutionalizes delay tactics, forcing injured parties to wait months for relief. It shields bad-faith insurers from accountability while punishing victims who cannot afford to wait. Finally, banning attorneys from suggesting dollar amounts for non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering) leaves juries rudderless. Without guidance, awards will vary wildly, disproportionately harming marginalized plaintiffs whose suffering is already undervalued. These bills prioritize corporate profits over people. They shield wrongdoers, starve victims of fair compensation, and erode public trust in our courts. I urge you to reject these bills. Missourians deserve a justice system that protects the injured—not insurers and polluters.