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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Manuel Gallardo, owner of Gallardo’s Construction Services, after inspectors observed employees exposed to fall hazards on six Chicago-area residential roofing projects between August and November 2017. The company faces $281,286 in proposed penalties. Manuel Gallardo, whose business is based in Palatine, was cited for four willful and three…

Federal safety officials have cited an Illinois pallet manufacturer for exposing employees unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in the workplace. The company faces proposed penalties totaling $216,253. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Cleary Pallet Sales Inc., a Genoa, Illinois-based pallet manufacturer, after 10 employees required emergency medical treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. OSHA…

A Madison County couple who worked together sued Medline Industries Inc. on June 25 for retaliation and wrongful termination. Derek and Sharon Marshall filed the lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the warehouse operator alleging violations of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. According to the complaint, a supervisor "made repeated and continued sexual advances" toward Sharon during her…

The widow and son of a Monroe County Jail officer murdered in 2005 will receive more than $275,000 in federal funds from the Public Safety Officer Benefits program. The payment was approved last week, seven years after the benefit claim was filed and 13 years after Sgt. Bill Brand was shot and killed. The funds will be used to provide…

Federal and state policymakers are implementing a variety of strategies to address inappropriate prescription use in the treatment of injured workers, and the damaging effects of increased opioid use for pain treatment. Inappropriate use of prescription drugs has a negative impact on patient health and returning to work. Patients often stay out of work longer than those with similar injuries…

State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and others recently spoke out against two eerily familiar Democrat-sponsored bills that would overhaul worker's compensation in Illinois. SB2863, which amends the Employer's Liability Rates Article of the Illinois Insurance Code, along with HB4595, which amends the Illinois Insurance Code provision concerning the Illinois Workers' Compensation…

Who are the most expensive workers to insure in Illinois? It's not roofers or sawmill operators, coal miners or painters. Nor is it loggers, steelworkers or carnies. In 2018, oil and gas drillers paid the highest rates for workers' compensation in the state. High risk for severe injury plus a tiny pool of industry players combine to generate rates of…