Etling v. Westport Heating & Cooling Services, Inc.

I

James and Janice Etling (Appellants) are the nondependent parents of an adult son who was killed in an accident at work. Appellants sued Westport Heating & Cooling Service, Inc. (Respondent), seeking benefits under sec. 287.240. 1 The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission denied the claim. Because Appellants challenge the constitutionality of this worker’s compensation provision that allows death benefits for dependents under Missouri’s open-courts doctrine, MO. CONST, art. I, sec. 14, and on Equal Protection grounds, MO. CONST, art. I, sec. 2, this Court has jurisdiction. MO. CONST,…