Quote of the day
“To open up the workers compensation structure and make these type of disputes subject to the tort laws of the state of Illinois is a trial lawyers full-employment act.”
Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed
Dozens cited in sweep of central Oregon contractors
A recent five-day sweep by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board of more than 150 central Oregon construction sites found 38 builders working without proper credentials. KBND (Bend, Ore.)
Illinois manufacturers fear bill will drive up insurance costs
If Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs Senate Bill 1596, the legislation will allow an aggrieved party to go after a business for civil damages after the 25-year timely filing rule for workers’ compensation claims expires. Injuries that fit that description include cancer from asbestos exposure, lower back pain, acoustic shock and repetitive trauma claims. The bill would also allow the employee’s heirs to file the claim in civil court. KPVI
OFF TOPIC
Secret tracking device found in Navy email amid leak investigation raises questions
A Navy prosecutor recently sent an email to the editor of Navy Times that was embedded with a secret digital tracking device, an incident that raises serious questions about the Navy lawyers’ handling of the prosecution in the war crimes case, how far the Navy will go in pursuing leaks and whether the government is illegally spying on journalists and defense attorneys in the case. Military Times
Chicago: Audit finds alderman did little to detect bogus injury claims
An audit issued Friday finds that Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke made little effort to detect potential fraud, waste and abuse in the city’s workers’ compensation program while he oversaw it. The alderman reportedly hired private law firms to fight an inspector general’s efforts to examine the system, in which some city workers have been receiving disability payments for years. Chicago Sun-Times
Mugno withdraws as nominee for top Fed-OSHA post
Scott A. Mugno has withdrawn from consideration as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. The former Vice President of Safety, Sustainability and Vehicle Maintenance at FedEx Ground had been awaiting U.S. Senate approval of his nomination since October 2017. National Law Review