Remote and hybrid work arrangements, which were put in place when pandemic lockdowns forced many workers to stay home, have left employers with lingering safety-related concerns even as COVID-19 fades. Many ergonomics concerns related to remote work were well-known before the pandemic, but with home offices commonplace those issues demand an extra level of attention, sources say. And employers should…
McDonald’s is facing a multi-state consumer class action lawsuit over its use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in packaging because of alleged migration of those chemicals into food products. PFAS are considered “forever chemicals” because their carbon-fluorine bonds are extremely strong and not appreciably degraded under environmental conditions, according to the lawsuit filed March 28 at the Southern District…
A SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting crew member claims he was injured while working on a marine vessel in Granite City. Ray W. Bowler II filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting LLC, and Canton Marine Towing, Inc., alleging negligence, unseaworthiness and maintenance and cure. According to the lawsuit, Bowler was employed…
The average cost of COVID-19 related claims increased “significantly” in the last six months of 2021, according to a report released Wednesday by San Diego-based Mitchell International Inc. As of December, the average indemnity cost for a COVID-19 claim increased 40% when compared with Mitchell’s analysis of data in June 2021 to about $3,478 per claim, according to the report,…
A man claims he suffered severe injuries when a container lid slid off the chassis and caused him to fall out of the yard dog he was operating, knocking him unconscious. Richard Landert filed a lawsuit on Feb. 28 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Red Bird Carriers, Inc., Superior Hauling and Fast Transit, Inc. doing business as Red…
A woman claims her mother’s lung cancer went unnoticed by doctors and medical facilities for nearly three years. Alexis Mitchell, as administrator for the estate of Sandra Jean Missey, deceased, filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Anderson Hospital, Anderson Healthcare, Mayville Imaging, LLC, Maryville Radiology Group, Ltd., Southern Illinois Health Care Foundation, Inc. doing business as…
An Indiana man who says he lost an eye after being struck by a tear gas canister police fired during 2020 protests over the killing of George Floyd has reached a settlement with the city of Fort Wayne. Balin Brake sued the city in October 2020, alleging his constitutional rights were violated and excessive force was used during the May…
Illinois is the only state to introduce legislation this year to create a workers compensation drug formulary, despite the documented success of such regulations in limiting the prescribing of addictive pain medications to injured workers. But experts say they don’t see the issue of opioid prescribing in comp fading as other strategies are at play. Formularies — lists of prescription…
A woman claims she tripped and fell on an unsecured manhole lid while walking on Highland Avenue. Dana Watts filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against American Water Works Co., Inc., American Water Works Service Company, Inc., John Doe and the City of Alton, alleging negligence. According to the lawsuit, on March 4, 2021, Watts was walking…
A motorist and passenger claim the driver of a tractor trailer ran a red light and caused a collision. Misty D. Robertson and Dean A. Robertson filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Tazco Soil Service Co. doing business as Earlybird Feed and Fertilizer, Pyles Trucking Co. and Darrell D. Matthews Jr., alleging negligence and loss of…
