A newspaper review has found that three northwestern Indiana counties have a higher percentage of fatal drunken-driving crashes than the rest of the state and the U.S. because of the region’s heavy traffic, weather and other factors. The (Northwest Indiana) Times reviewed federal road fatality data and found that between 2010 and 2014, drunken driving was linked to about 35…
A motorist is suing a car dealership after her Mustang convertible’s airbag failed to deploy during a collision in Florida. Janelle R. Benning filed a complaint on Sept. 13 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ford Motor Company and Auffenberg Ford Inc., alleging they failed to inspect the vehicle to determine whether its airbag module had been properly…
A former welder blames a host of manufacturing companies for his lung cancer. Phillip Gibson and Sara Gibson filed a complaint on Sept. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against tthe companies, including BP Products North America, DAP Products Inc. and URS Corporation. According to the complaint, Phillip Gibson was exposed to asbestos while working as a laborer and…
A woman is suing her former employer and insurer for allegedly terminating her for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Jennifer Harrison filed a complaint on Sept. 17 in the Madison County Circuit Court against The Garden Kingdom Inc. and Erie Insurance, alleging they violated the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. According to the complaint she was injured during the course of…
One of the most common challenges facing employers in Illinois workers’ compensation claims is preventing or minimizing exposure for disability benefits while an employee is recuperating from a work related injury. If the employee has a complete work restriction, temporary total disability (TTD) is owed under 820 ILCS 305/8(b). If the employee has light duty restrictions, the employer can avoid…
The introduction of legislation impacting first responders was named the top trend in workers compensation reforms countrywide by the National Council on Compensation Insurance despite the fact that only a handful of bills have passed to date. Boca Raton, Florida-based NCCI tracked 814 state bills in 2018 and found that 103 of them dealt with first responders battling post-traumatic stress…
A passenger is suing a Mexican airlines in a case involving the crash of a jet bound for Chicago on July 31. Dorelia Rivera filed a complaint on Sept. 12 in Cook County Circuit Court against AeroMexico and AeroMexico Connect, alleging she was injured while on Flight 243 departing Durango, Mexico, for Chicago, because the pilots allegedly were negligent in…
A state appeals panel has overturned a $4.6 million judgment in favor of a man who said he contracted mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos fibers while working near welding rods. Justices Peter Cavanagh, Lisa Holder White and Craig DeArmond of the Fourth District Appellate Court in Springfield issued an opinion Sept. 5 in a dispute between former welder Charles McKinney and…
A tenant is suing his Worden landlord after he was allegedly injured when rotting flooring gave way. Jeffrey Wright filed a complaint on Sept. 7 in Madison County Circuit Court against Daniel Rhodes, alleging the landlord negligently maintained the property in an unsafe and dangerous condition. According to the complaint, the plaintiff was injured when the flooring underneath his rented…
A construction worker accuses a driver of speeding through a construction zone and causing injuries. Arthur Sims filed a complaint on Aug. 31 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Brian C. Webb, alleging he sped through a construction zone. According to the complaint, the plaintiff was working in a construction zone on Frank Scott Parkway East in Shiloh when…
