Monthly Archives

June 2020

Appellate panel affirms dismissal of quadriplegic’s complaint against insurer

By Personal Injury No Comments

A man rendered a quadriplegic after a serious car wreck was unable to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday that his amended complaint was wrongly dismissed. The decision leaves in limbo collection of a $21 million jury award in favor of the injured man. Several lawsuits have stemmed from a single-vehicle accident involving former co-workers Gregory Smith and…

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Illinois governor signs COVID bill for essential workers

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Legislation signed into law in Illinois on Friday will provide worker compensation benefits for front-line and essential workers who contract COVID-19 on the job under certain conditions. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed H.B. 2455, which will provide death benefits for first responders who were presumably infected with COVID-19 on duty and also revises state code to expand unemployment benefits and enhance…

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Passenger injured in collision sues Alton bar

By Personal Injury No Comments

A passenger who was allegedly thrown from a vehicle driven by an intoxicated man is suing an Alton bar for serving the driver alcoholic beverages. Elizabeth McCollum filed the complaint in Madison County Circuit Court May 27 against D&T Wedge Inc., doing business as D&T Wedge and Donald Wallace, alleging negligence. McCollum alleges in her complaint that on Aug. 8,…

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COVID-19 workers’ compensation bill on governor’s desk

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

It’s now up to Gov. J.B. Pritzker to approve a measure lawmakers passed last month that differs slightly from an emergency rule he tried to unilaterally issue in April regarding who covers the costs when a worker gets COVID-19. House Bill 2455 passed during last month’s pandemic special session at the statehouse. One aspect of the bill deals with who…

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One-third of workers say they would sue for catching COVID at work

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

More than one-third of workers said they would sue their employer if they believed they contracted coronavirus from a co-worker, according to a survey released Monday. The survey, conducted by communications firm Engagious, research consulting firm Sports & Leisure Research Group and public affairs firm ROKK Solutions LLC, found that more than a quarter of workers said they would sue…

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Comp may drive property/casualty losses from coronavirus: Report

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Losses in the property/casualty insurance industry could top $100 billion from the COVID-19 pandemic, with workers compensation driving the losses more than other lines, according to a risk analysis of the insurance industry that Wells Fargo & Co. released Thursday. Workers compensation may be reaching an inflection, as the line is continuing to generate less rate than other property/casualty lines….

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Man alleges negligent knee surgery led to permanent need for walking device

By Personal Injury No Comments

A man is suing OSF Health St. Anthony’s Health Center and its physician alleging their negligent care led to his knee infection and permanent need for a walking device. Anthony Miller filed a complaint May 20 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Randall Rogalsky, MD, Alton Multispecialists LTD and OSF Health St. Anthony’s Health Center, alleging negligence. According to…

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What happens if you get coronavirus at work? Experts say it might be hard to prove.

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

The novel coronavirus ushered in shelter-in-place orders across the country and uncertainty about when life will return to what it was. As more states shift to gradually reopening their economies, the path toward normalcy also breeds new anxiety and questions about safe returns to work and businesses. Contracting coronavirus at work or from a business or restaurant isn’t easily resolved…

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Employers balance protecting workers’ health, privacy

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

As businesses welcome workers back into the workplace, employers must tread a narrow path between gathering information to protect their workers’ health and protecting their privacy, experts say. Businesses must comply with federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as state and even local laws that may be broader, they say. The Illinois Biometrics Information Privacy Act…

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Illinois lawmakers pass COVID-19 bill

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Illinois lawmakers in both houses on Friday passed an omnibus labor bill that would provide death benefits for first responders who were presumably infected with COVID-19 on duty and workers compensation benefits for essential workers under certain conditions. H.B. 2455 also revises state code to expand unemployment benefits and enhance sick pay and leave for workers who contract the virus….

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