A reversal of a years-long trend that saw dips in drug use among injured workers, prescriptions in workers compensation inched up in 2022 with drug utilization per claim increasing 2.6%, costs per claim increasing 3.7%, and costs per prescription rising 1.1%, according to a report released Wednesday by Enlyte Group LLC. Enlyte, which provides comp services, also found the top…
A Coles County jury awarded Kiera Campbell, 19, and her parents, Todd and Jaime Campbell, $40 million as compensation for the severely disabling injuries she suffered as a result of delayed delivery during childbirth. Jurors reached the verdict after deliberating for just three hours following a three-week trial. They found that defendants Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon and…
Workers compensation medical payments per claim in numerous states decreased through 2020 and 2021, while indemnity benefits grew during that same time, reflecting economic changes during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to comp industry research released Tuesday. A package of studies released Tuesday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute compared medical payments, indemnity benefits and benefit…
Jobs with the highest rates of opioid overdose fatalities generally have high occupational injury rates and low access to paid sick leave, according to a research paper on the economic impacts of opioids released Monday by the Brookings Institution. Industries with the highest rates of overdose fatalities in the workplace have elevated occupational injury rates for fractures and musculoskeletal disorders,…
As summer approaches, workplace safety agencies and state lawmakers are seeking to formulate standards to protect workers from heat-related dangers on the job. Rising global temperatures, longer and more frequent heatwaves and increased heat-related workers compensation claims are driving advocates to push for more detailed and uniform standards addressing heat illness and injury in the workplace. The issue is playing…
A man is suing the Salem Township Hospital, claiming that doctors misdiagnosed his life-threatening condition and allowed it to worsen. Plaintiffs Michael and Jean Garden filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Nancy Zutshi, M.D., Tracy Caswell, and Salem Township Hospital, citing negligence. According to the lawsuit, on May 14, 2022, Michael Garden, 65, went to…
A passenger is suing Alternative Transportation Systems, claiming he was seriously injured when his medical scooter flipped and fell on him while traveling to a dialysis appointment. Plaintiff Julius Walker filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Alternative Transportation Systems, Inc and an ATS employee, citing negligence. According to the lawsuit, on Feb. 3, 2023, Walker…
A former refinery worker and smoker claims he was not warned about exposure to toxic chemicals on the job or toxic substances in light cigarettes, causing him to develop cancer. Plaintiffs Donald and Betty Bannister filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against John Crane Inc., Shell USA, Inc., Phillips 66 Company, 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard,…
A shopper is suing Walmart after she was allegedly struck by shopping carts while at the Wood River store. Plaintiff Gloria Bell filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Wal-Mart Inc., and store manager Glenn Masterson and employee Antonio Shaw, citing negligence. According to the lawsuit, Bell Hultz was a patron at a Walmart store in Wood…
A Union Pacific Railroad employee has filed a negligence claim after allegedly suffering injuries on the job. Plaintiff William C. Williford filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendant Union Pacific Railroad Company, citing negligence. According to the lawsuit, Williford was employed by Union Pacific Railroad Company as a machine operator. The plaintiff states that as an…
