GWC Injury Lawyers LLC congratulates its hardworking attorneys and staff for obtaining settlements topping $3.8 million during the month of June. 36 Settlements in June 2021 GWC successfully resolved 36 cases in June 2021, including nearly $2 million for third-party injury lawsuits and more than $1.7 million for workers’ compensation claims. Some of the noteworthy>> Read More

Nearly 100 tons of lithium ion batteries burned in a Morris industrial fire, prompting authorities to evacuate parts of the city because of “very deadly” fumes. Morris Industrial Fire “Highly Poisonous” The Morris industrial fire took place on June 29, 2021 in the 900 block of East Benton Street in Morris, IL. Fire officials then>> Read More

A plumber foreman was approved for workers’ compensation benefits despite a preexisting condition because he was injured as a result of an employment-related risk. Injured While Climbing Stairs In Novak v. MVP Plumbing, a 61-year-old plumber foreman injured his right knee as he was climbing a staircase repeatedly while carrying tools and equipment weighing as>> Read More

Gig economy companies have been courting unions and lawmakers in an effort to preserve the independent contractor status of their workforce. Independent Contractor Status Targeted in Several States A report by Reuters found that gig economy companies are looking for novel approaches to maintain the independent contractor status of their workers, which they argue is>> Read More

The Biden administration has rescinded an independent contractor rule that would have made it easier for businesses to misclassify employees. Independent Contractor Rule Regulated Status On May 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule rescinding the regulation on independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In so doing,>> Read More

GWC Injury Lawyers LLC obtained more than $2 million in total settlements on behalf of injured clients in May 2021. May 2021 Yields 36 Settlements GWC’s dedicated attorneys and staff brought 36 cases to a successful resolution in May 2021. The settlements included over $1 million for workers’ compensation claims and over $965,000.00 for third-party>> Read More

The Illinois Senate has passed a staph infection presumption bill that could help first responders obtain workers’ compensation benefits. 51-0 for Staph Infection Presumption Bill The Senate passed House Bill 3662 with a 51-0 vote on May 28, 2021. The Illinois House of Representatives had already passed the staph infection presumption bill a month earlier>> Read More

A Chicago 911 operator has obtained workers’ compensation benefits after developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis In the matter of Jocelyn Cahill v. City of Chicago, the claimant had worked as a 911 operator and first responder for the City of Chicago for fifteen years. As part of her duties, she regularly had>> Read More

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) is moving its headquarters from the Thompson Center to the Daley Center as part of a series of cost-cutting initiatives. Reducing Space by 25 to 30 Percent The IWCC will be moving out of Chicago’s Thompson Center later in 2021. Commission officials report that construction is already underway on>> Read More

The dedicated attorneys and staff members at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC have obtained over $3.4 million in total April settlements on behalf of their injured clients. 55 Cases Settled in April 2021 GWC brought 55 cases to a successful resolution in April. The April 2021 settlements included over $1.5 million for third-party injury lawsuits and>> Read More

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Naperville warehouse after 23 of its workers came down with COVID-19. Outbreak After Work Luncheon OSHA cited Midwest Warehouse and Distribution Systems Inc. for violating the general duty clause when it failed to take appropriate steps to combat a COVID-19 outbreak last year. In October>> Read More

An Illinois staph infection bill would create a “rebuttable presumption” to assist some first responders seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Illinois Staph Infection Bill Passes House On April 21, 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 3662. The Illinois staph infection bill amends the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to create a rebuttable presumption>> Read More