2009 Worker's Comp Settlement Forecloses Later Mold-Injury Claims

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An industrial worker who agreed to settle “any and all” mold-exposure claims in a workers compensation action against Agco Corp. (NYSE: AGCO) is precluded from bringing civil mold claims, a federal judge has ruled.

Senior District Judge Ortrie D. Smith of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri ruled Oct. 16 that even if plaintiff Roger Mueller could pursue tort, as well as workers' compensation claims, as he asserted, his prior settlement clearly encompassed all claims arising from mold exposure in the workplace.

Mueller filed a compensation action against Agco in 2009, …