Supreme Court of Missouri / Dec 23, 2024
Joe David Hudson, Respondent, v. Joplin Regional Stockyards, Inc., Appellant.
Joe David Hudson was injured while working for Joplin Regional Stockyards, Inc. (JRS) and entered into a workers' compensation settlement that included a lump sum payment and left future medical expenses "open." Years later, Hudson moved to revive the judgment based on this settlement, which JRS opposed, arguing the judgment had been satisfied. The circuit court sustained Hudson's motion, but the Missouri Supreme Court reversed, holding that the judgment was satisfied because the "open" future medical expenses remained within the exclusive province of the Division of Workers' Compensation and were not part of the circuit court's judgment. The Court also overruled Hudson's motion for damages for a frivolous appeal.