The COVID-19 omicron variant appears to be waning and several states have lifted their mask mandates in recent weeks, but legislators are just getting started when it comes to the pandemic and workers compensation. Since state lawmakers went back to work in January, more than a dozen pieces of new or revived pieces of legislation have been filed, and more…
A bill before Illinois lawmakers this year would address recent court decisions finding that workers’ compensation exclusivity does not preclude claims for damages under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. H.B. 5396 would declare that if a worker brings an action against an employer for violations of the privacy act, the worker’s entitlement to relief shall be determined under the state’s…
A patient claims she had to undergo oral surgery after her dental implants were improperly installed. Brenda Richter filed a lawsuit on Jan. 12 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Wojtyna Dental LLC, doing business as Aspen Dental, Dr. Graciela Romo, D.M.D., and Dr. Alexander Wojtyna, DDS, alleging medical malpractice. According to the lawsuit, Richter visited Aspen Dental on…
A woman is suing the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a Maryville doctor’s office building, causing the plaintiff to suffer serious injuries. Josephine A. Doersam filed a lawsuit on Jan. 11 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Jacqueline B. Strauss, alleging negligence. According to the lawsuit, Doersam was sitting inside the office of Dr. Michael Mandis on…
A motorist and passenger are suing another driver for allegedly causing a rear-end collision on N. Illinois Street. James Moore and Ashley Chase filed a lawsuit on Jan. 21 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Thompson Baty, alleging negligence. According to the lawsuit, Moore and Chase were in a vehicle traveling southbound on N. Illinois Street on Oct….
A man is suing the owner of a pit bull that allegedly attacked him without provocation. Andrew Hale filed a lawsuit on Jan. 6 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Brandon Lewis, alleging negligence and violation of the animal control act. According to the lawsuit, Lewis was the owner of a pit bull named “Capone.” Hale claims he was…
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) does not bar claims for statutory damages under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled in a Feb. 3 opinion that could leave employers more vulnerable to a wave of privacy lawsuits. In McDonald v. Symphony Bronzeville Park, the seven-member court looked at a proposed putative class action…
A motorist is suing another driver for allegedly causing a collision after running a stop sign at an intersection. Crystal Lechner filed a lawsuit on Jan. 3 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Sandra Grapperhaus. According to the lawsuit, Lechner was traveling south on Troy O’Fallon Road at the intersection of West Kirsch Road on Jan. 10, 2020. At…
A Glen Carbon woman claims she was injured when a neighbor’s dog came onto her property and attacked her. Penny L. Bettorf filed a lawsuit on Jan. 5 in the Madison County Circuit Court against John Grant III, alleging violation of the Illinois Animal Control Act, violation of county ordinance and negligence. According to the lawsuit, Grant owned and kept…
Days away from work due to serious injuries decreased by 61% from 2019 to 2020, according to a new report from ISN Software Corp., despite an increase in the rate of serious injuries and fatalities. The analysis from ISN showed the three-year average for serious injuries and fatalities increased from 391 incidents per 100,000 workers in 2019 to 429 incidents…
