Workplace heat-related illnesses increase by at least sevenfold on days when temperatures exceed 90°F compared with days with temperatures between 75°F and 80°F, according to research published Wednesday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based WCRI used 2013 to 2022 workers compensation claim data from insurers, state funds and self-insured employers across 31 U.S. states, accounting for 80%…
There were 5,283 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2023, a 3.7% decrease from the previous year, with deaths among Black workers declining the most at 10.2%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. Transportation incidents were the most frequent cause of death, accounting for 36.8% of all occupational fatalities in 2023. As in years past,…
A major lawsuit has been filed against several prominent companies, alleging that their hair relaxer products have caused serious health issues. On November 27, 2024, Alsester Aline Coleman-Williams filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Godrej SON Holdings, Inc., L’Oréal USA, Inc., and other associated entities. The case stems from allegations…
Syngenta and Chevron moved on Dec. 6 to dismiss 47 plaintiffs who alleged that weed killer Paraquat caused Parkinson’s disease, claiming they violated an order to search for proof of exposure. Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel issued the order in February, directing each plaintiff to serve subpoenas on third parties for evidence of exposure. Defense counsel Ragan Naresh of…
A man has filed a lawsuit against service station chain Casey’s, alleging he sustained severe injuries after slipping and falling on ice at their Wood River location. The lawsuit was initially filed in Madison County Circuit Court by plaintiff Monty Aldrich, but has been removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The…
Costs associated with catastrophic workplace injuries represent less that 0.1% of workers compensation claims but account for up to 2% of all costs to insurers, according to a report released Thursday by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Boca Raton, Florida-based NCCI worked with nine state ratings agencies to study so-called “mega claims,” examining 11,330 of them from accident years…
The court reversed a previous decision denying Walgreens’ attempts to transfer the suit from St. Clair County to Christian County. An Illinois appellate court sided with Walgreen Co., granting its request to move a personal injury suit to a different county after concluding that factors such as parties’ proximity, court congestion, and jury duty logistics weighed in favor of the…
For the eighth time since 2020, federal workplace safety inspectors have cited a Lake Zurich, Illinois roofing contractor for exposing workers to falls from elevation, the leading cause of fatal and serious injuries among people employed in the construction industry. Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed employees of Fino Exterior Inc. working atop…
A plaintiff has filed a lawsuit against the United States of America, alleging negligence in managing a methadone program that led to a wrongful death. Rondell A. Johnson, acting as the Independent Administrator of the Estate of Rodney Bradford, lodged this complaint on November 13, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division….
A former delivery driver is taking legal action against her previous employer, alleging severe discrimination and retaliation following a workplace injury. Kizzi Campbell filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 22, 2024, accusing Rivera On-Point Logistics, LLC of violating her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the…
