Treasurer of Missouri as Custodian of the Second Injury Fund, Respondent/Cross- Missouri Cases

James Eckardt appealed the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission's denial of permanent total disability (PTD) benefits from the Second Injury Fund. Eckardt argued the Commission misconstrued evidence regarding his right shoulder injury and erred by not applying a load factor to enhance its permanent partial disability (PPD) rating. The Court affirmed the Commission's decision, holding that the load factor analysis was eliminated by statutory amendments and that Eckardt failed to prove PTD based solely on qualifying preexisting injuries.

Claimant James Eckardt appealed the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission's denial of Second Injury Fund benefits for his permanent total disability from multiple work injuries. The Fund cross-appealed the inclusion of his occupational disease in the award. The appellate court reversed the denial of Fund benefits, finding the Commission erred by misinterpreting the relevant statute and precedent regarding non-qualifying disabilities. The court affirmed the Commission's determination that occupational diseases, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome, qualify as preexisting compensable injuries under the Second Injury Fund statute.