In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has issued new enforcement guidance addressing work-related coronavirus cases. OSHA Promising More Onsite Inspections On May 19, 2020, OSHA released the Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019. The plan lays out new enforcement guidance in response to the fact>> Read More

The Illinois General Assembly has approved a bill lowering the burden of proof for essential workers who contract the coronavirus, making it easier for them to receive workers’ compensation benefits. “Rebuttable Presumption” for Essential Workers with Coronavirus On May 22, 2020, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 2455 by a vote of 113-2.>> Read More

Since the arrival of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the United States, more and more Americans have found themselves working from home in order to curb the spread of this unprecedented pandemic. The shifting requirements of the contemporary workplace have forced employers and employees alike to make swift adjustments. The situation is evolving so rapidly>> Read More

Over the past several weeks, frontline workers – who are busy saving lives in hospitals, driving trucks to make crucial deliveries, stocking grocery shelves to help us feed our families, and ensuring that public transit continues — have been rightfully applauded as heroes. They have put themselves on the line for our safety and well-being.>> Read More

On April 13, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the enactment of an emergency amendment to the evidentiary rules governing practice before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. This amendment applies to those workers who are most susceptible to COVID-19 exposure, including first responders, health care workers on the front lines, construction building trades, and those>> Read More

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Almost overnight, the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19) has become an unavoidable fact of life worldwide. In Illinois and across the United States, even the most mundane aspects of everyday existence are being reshaped dramatically as the nation seeks to stop the spread of this terrible virus. This includes the workplace, where employers are struggling to>> Read More

A former Illinois government worker whose lawsuit ended mandatory fair-share fees for public-sector unions has filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court seeking reimbursement. Fair-Share Fees and Janus v. AFSCME The plaintiff, Mark Janus, previously worked as a child support specialist at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services under a contract negotiated between>> Read More

According to recent reporting, Amazon warehouse employees are increasingly at risk of serious injury because of an unlikely source – the Amazon robots “working” beside them. Use of Amazon Robots Expanding Rapidly To help meet the demands imposed by its progressively faster delivery rates, Amazon has increasingly relied upon robotic “co-workers.” Known as “drives,” these>> Read More

Injured former Amazon warehouse workers and activists recently protested in downtown Chicago in response to a report that Amazon has more than double the industry average of injuries at its fulfillment centers. Amazon Injuries Far Exceed Industry Average On December 10, 2019, Warehouse Workers for Justice protested outside of an Amazon Go store at 144>> Read More

GWC attorney Donn P. LaHaie recently obtained a $300,000.00 workers’ compensation settlement for a union operator. Serious Left Knee Injury, Change of Profession Mr. LaHaie’s client is a union operator and a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150. In November 2016, he fell while stepping out of his work>> Read More

Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently announced that the city would be transferring control of the Chicago workers’ compensation program to a private company. The $100 million-per-year program had been overseen for decades by now-indicted Alderman Edward Burke. Chicago Workers’ Compensation Program “Antiquated” The decision to overhaul the Chicago workers’ compensation program was announced on June 13, 2019. According>> Read More

GWC attorney Donn P. LaHaie recently obtained a $365,000.00 workers’ compensation settlement for a union painter. Union Painter Hurt Performing Duties of Job In 2012, Mr. LaHaie’s client was performing the duties of his job as a union painter when he seriously injured both of his knees. After conservative methods of treatment failed, he had multiple knee>> Read More