Work Accidents

Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas Chicago Workers Comp Records

October 11, 2012

A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena for records spanning six years of Chicago’s workers’ compensation program. The subpoena was issued to the Finance Committee of Chicago’s City Council. Alderman Edward M. Burke is the…

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Changes to Workers’ Compensation Have Not Saved Businesses Money

August 23, 2012

To date, there is scant evidence that changes in workers’ compensation laws have resulted in decreased costs for Illinois businesses. State lawmakers passed legislation in 2011 curtailing workers’ comp claims, predicting that the changes would save…

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Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Taxi Fatality Case

August 15, 2012

The brother of an elderly woman who was struck and killed by a taxi last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and the taxi company. The collision occurred on August 22, 2011…

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Study Shows Safety Inspections Protect Workers and Do Not Hurt Businesses

July 31, 2012

Researchers have determined that random inspections of businesses in the United States have a measurable impact on the risk of workers being hurt on the job. Inspections lower the danger for workers, and have no negative…

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Painkillers May Increase Cost of Work Injuries

July 19, 2012

Insurance companies that reimburse employees for workplace injuries, pay billions of dollars every year, mainly for major accidents. Recently, another cost has emerged: payments to workers with routine injuries, treated with strong painkillers. Insurance companies pay…

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Fatal Workplace Injuries On the Rise in Illinois

July 2, 2012

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its final data on fatal injuries in the workplace in the year 2010. While such on-the-job deaths have been decreasing nationwide for some time, they are on…

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Illinois House Votes Unanimously to Outsource Workers Compensation

June 28, 2012

On May 30, the Illinois House passed legislation on a unanimous vote to outsource the state’s workers’ compensation system. The bill, HB 2958, would require the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to contract with private…

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Changes Ahead for Illinois Workers Compensation System

May 25, 2012

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation system is being challenged on multiple fronts, as Republicans in both the Illinois House and Senate are pushing bills to limit claims by injured workers, and a state audit has reported numerous…

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Employers Can Help Injured Workers Through Workplace Accommodation Programs

March 19, 2012

Companies working to bring injured employees back to work have a resource in the Job Accommodation Network. The non-profit group has free, confidential advice about disability employment and workplace accommodation issues. By helping employers find creative…

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Company Cited for OSHA Violations at Illinois Plant

January 18, 2012

As Illinois lawmakers work to reduce workers’ compensation coverage in the state, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration cited Central Transport International Inc. for multiple and repeat violations at its Hillside facility. The…

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