The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a construction worker injured by a crane company employee may not have been subject to workers compensation exclusive remedy because of lingering questions over employment relationship. Jason Beckner was injured while helping to construct a home in Zionsville, Indiana, in November 2019 while employed by Commercial Air Inc. His employer…
In a recent court filing, tenants allege severe negligence and violations of housing laws by their landlords, leading to personal injuries. On July 11, 2024, Stacy Young and Inez Young filed a complaint in the Appellate Court of Illinois against Uday Shankar and Shanku Shankar. The case centers around the plaintiffs’ claims that the defendants failed to maintain their rental…
Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel gets to decide whether the estate of a stillborn baby can recover damages. The question arises from a $135 million suit Shantela Stackhouse of Granite City filed against Alton Memorial Hospital and the United States. She seeks recovery on her own behalf under wrongful death law and as estate administrator under the Illinois Survival…
A shocking incident involving a collapsing ceiling has led to a legal battle between two individuals from different states. Diane Hallstrom, represented by The Law Office of Kevin P. Justen, P.C., filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on July 11, 2024, against Mark Kalemba. The lawsuit stems from an incident that…
A devastating train derailment has led to a lawsuit against two major railroad companies. On July 8, 2024, Tammy Kamrud filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and BNSF Railway Company. The case revolves around an incident on September 25, 2021, when Tammy Kamrud and…
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. subsidiary of a Spanish meat casings company after two of its employees suffered severe injuries earlier this year. OSHA said Wednesday that it cited Danville, Illinois-based Viscofan USA Inc. for one “repeat,” seven “serious” and one “other-than-serious” violations and proposed $197,054 in penalties after one employee suffered chemical burns…
The proportion of work-related injuries among newly hired workers increased from 2017 to 2022, with workers under 25 reporting more frequent injuries than those 55 and older, according to a report released Thursday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The report, which analyzed 8.4 million non-COVID-19 claims across 31 states, found that work injuries among workers with shorter tenure increased…
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Friday that it cited an Illinois construction contractor for a continued pattern of exposing workers to deadly fall hazards. OSHA cited Arcola-based Miller Building Systems LLC for four “willful” violations for intentionally failing to provide adequate fall protection to employees working at high elevations. The agency proposed $354,912 in penalties, noting it…
A new lawsuit has been filed alleging that a widely-used herbicide is linked to severe health issues, including Parkinson’s Disease. On June 27, 2024, Richard Schacca filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., accusing the company of negligence and other charges related to its product Paraquat. According to…
A state appeals panel has revived a lawsuit in which a woman seeks to hold supermarket chain Jewel liable for injuries she suffered after slipping and falling when she allegedly stepped on a cherry pit at a Deerfield grocery store. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Gerald Cleary granted summary judgment in favor of Jewel Food Stores, temporarily ending a negligence…
