Five Things You Need to Know: 10/8, Monday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) CDC: CA Carpal Tunnel Report Released

The CDC released a report last week detailing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), and the most common industry positions/occupations that can lead to the ailment, according to Occupational Health & Safety online. “…Workplace-related risks for CTS include work activities requiring forceful, repetitive tasks, vibration, or prolonged use of the wrists or hands in an awkward posture, according to the CDC,” per the article. “…The CDPH data analysis identified a total of 139,336 probable and possible CTS cases in California workers during the 2007-2014 period. The rate of CTS among women (8.2 cases per 10,000 FTE) was found to be 3.3 times higher than the rate of CTS among men (2.5).” Industries with more common instances of these injuries included food/apparel manufacturing and anything with a lot of admin work. “…the report states that the industries with the highest CTS rates were textile, fabric finishing, and coating mills (44.9), apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing (43.1), and animal slaughtering and processing (39.8).”

2) IL Welder Alleges Asbestos Exposure on the Job Led to Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Belleville couple Earnest Boyd and Maxine Boyd have filed a lawsuit against Blackmer Pump Company, Tyson Foods Inc., and Velan Valve Corporation, among other manufacturers, alleging asbestos exposure on the job, writes Lhalie Castillo of the Madison-St. Clair Record. “…Earnest Boyd inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers during his career as a welder and mechanic. In November 2017, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He has suffered pain and medical expenses, the complaint states. The plaintiffs allege the companies did not properly warn about the toxic effects of asbestos,” writes Castillo. The pair request trial-by-jury, damages at more than $50G, and any other relief.  

3) Two MA Contractors Will Pay Up to $195G for Alleged Involvement with ‘Illegal Asbestos Work’

Boston company Capstone General Contracting and owners/managers Charbel Najem Christine Najem; along with their subcontractor Simulis Plumbing and Heating, Inc., have settled to pay up to $195G for allegedly participating in ‘illegal asbestos work’ on two houses, writes Marian Johns of Legal News Line. “…The lawsuit filed by the Attorney General's Office alleges Capstone allowed Simulis employees to illegally cut and remove asbestos-containing heating pipes from one of the homes. Capstone and Simulis employees then discarded the pipe's asbestos insulation and disposed of it in the home's basement and back yard, the Attorney General's Office said,” per the article. “…According to the settlement, $25,000 of the settlement funds may be suspended if the companies complete additional asbestos training as well as submit asbestos surveys from their construction projects over the next two years to MassDEP.”

4) TX: Former Restaurant Worker Alleges Bypass Grill was a Hostile Work Environment

Bengie Demyers of Galveston has filed a class action lawsuit against Bypass Grill House, Gaines Andrews Jr. and Cecilia Andrews, alleging he wasn’t paid appropriately, writes Kristine Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record. “…According to the complaint, the plaintiff began working in the kitchen for Bypass Grill in December 2017. He alleges he was paid the same wage rate per hour regardless of the number of hours he worked per week. He alleges after he voiced his concerns regarding overtime pay, he was retaliated against by Cecilia Andrews and subjected to a hostile work environment,” per the article. Demyers requests identification of the case as collective, unpaid wages, damages, penalties, court costs and any other relief.

5) CA Insurance Co. Acquires IL-Based Zande Firm

Newport Beach, CA Insurance Company Alliant has acquired insurance firm Zande Group, out of Des Plaines, IL, according to the Insurance Journal. “…The (Zande) firm has relationships with some of the world’s most established carriers and provides a broad array of products and solutions, including risk management, workers’ compensation, fiduciary liability, directors and officers liability (D&O), inland marine and cyber insurance,” according to the article and Alliant. Alliant aids clients in property/casualty, work comp insurance and surety needs.

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