Monthly Archives

June 2018

Appeals court says Four Seasons Hotel not to blame in guest’s fall on wet bathroom floor

By Personal Injury No Comments

An Illinois state appeals panel has upheld a Cook County judge’s decision that the Four Seasons in Chicago was not obligated to warn guests about a wet marble bathroom floor, saying the condition posed a danger that should have been open and obvious. Justice Nathaniel Howse Jr. wrote the appellate court order. Justices Cynthia Cobbs and James Fitzgerald Smith concurred….

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Mother blames Lurie Children’s Hospital for newborn son’s injuries

By Personal Injury No Comments

A mother is suing Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and others, citing alleged medical negligence. Kris Gonzalez, individually and as mother of her son, and Juan Gonzalez filed a complaint June 14 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging the defendants failed to provide her son with appropriate emergency room care, treatment and supervision to treat his…

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Abbvie wins another bellwether trial amid mass action over Androgel testosterone drug

By Personal Injury No Comments

A federal jury has handed a win to North Chicago-based drugmaker Abbvie, as it continues to seek to fend off a mass of legal claims accusing the company’s testosterone replacement therapy drug, Androgel, of causing heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. On June 14, the Chicago jury found Abbvie not liable for any of the medical conditions plaintiff Robert Rowley…

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Workers’ Comp Insurance Rate Pre-Approval Passes in Illinois

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

The Illinois General Assembly at the end of May passed a bill that requires the pre-approval of workers’ compensation insurance rates by the Illinois Department of Insurance. The legislation also “permits sensible corporate restructuring for insurers and reinsurers,” according to the American Insurance Association. But, according to AIA’s Steve Schneider, vice president for state affairs, Midwest region, the group is…

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NSC Survey: 90% of Employers Negatively Impacted by Tired Employees

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

A National Safety Council survey found 90% of America’s employers have been negatively impacted by tired employees, with half saying they’ve had an employee fall asleep on the job. Fifty-seven percent of employers have experienced absenteeism, and another 32% report injuries and near-misses due to fatigued employees, according to the survey released June 13. Fatigue not only hurts employees’ wellbeing…

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Failed insurer can’t use special deposit funds for administrative costs

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled a defunct insurer that provided workers compensation insurance in California cannot use emergency funds set aside for claims to cover unpaid administrative costs such as rent, utilities and other bills, the California Department of Insurance announced Tuesday. The court issued its decision in In re Liquidation of Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. in support of California…

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When it’s legal to set off fireworks in your Central Indiana town

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Fireworks season is near and soon loud booms and bright colors will fill the sky. Before you spend your family fortune on fireworks for the summer, here are some things you need to know about using fireworks in Indiana: Indiana fireworks laws Indiana has four main laws regarding consumer use of fireworks: Must be 18 or older to purchase fireworks….

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How Prices for Injured Workers’ Medical Professional Care Compare in 35 States: WCRI

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Prices paid for medical professional services vary significantly across states, ranging from 26 percent below the median in Florida to 158 percent above median in Wisconsin, according to a 35-state study. States with no fee schedules for professional services had higher prices paid compared with states with fee schedules—39 to 168 percent higher than the median of the study states…

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Proactive substance abuse treatment good for business and society

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Over the past several years, there has been extensive coverage on the staggering destruction of the opioid crisis. Individuals, families and communities across all demographics are impacted by this epidemic. While much of the coverage has rightly been focused on the human cost, the opioid crisis and other forms of substance abuse, also have a tremendous impact on small businesses…

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Prices Paid for Injured Workers’ Medical Care in 35 States Examined in WCRI Study

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

As policymakers and system stakeholders in many states debate rising medical costs, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new study today that helps monitor changes in prices paid for medical professional services as well as the impact of fee schedule and network changes on price trends. The study, WCRI Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation, 10th Edition (MPI-WC),…

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