Mr. Sherrer said there were lots of dangerous lines of work where there was "a substantial certainty that employees are going to be injured," and he is concerned that a liberal interpretation of the courts ruling will mean workers' compensation court "is over and general liability insurance costs will blow through the roof."

Action on his bill, he said, "is kind of standing still right now" because, while the response to its language has been positive, he feels it may need further work.

"I don't want it to be over- or under- inclusive," he explained, saying he wants to ensure that workers are treated fairly, while making sure that comp courts remain in business.

Mr. Sherrer, a municipal attorney, whose background also includes work at pig farming, said he will be watching to see how the lower courts apply the Supreme Court ruling.

If it is narrowly applied in, for example, a case where a protective guard is left off a piece of equipment, "I think that's appropriate," he explained.

The legislator said his action on the bill had also been delayed because up to now he had not obtained a Senate sponsor on a companion measure. He said he was told today there was a Senator ready to carry the bill, but he had yet to contact that lawmaker.

Mr. Sherrer said he has, at this point, not sought a hearing for the measure by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is necessary for the bill to move forward.