7th Circuit weighs Illinois law involving occupational disease

For the Defense

By Patrick Eckler

Patrick Eckler is a partner at Freeman, Mathis, & Gary LLP representing defendants in civil matters. He is secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Defense Counsel and co-host of the Podium and Panel podcast. The views expressed here are solely his own.

Posted February 22, 2024 11:11 AM

A panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Feb. 14 on an amendment to the Illinois Occupational Diseases Act that allows certain civil actions for workplace toxic substance exposure to proceed in civil court rather than workers’ compensation and that extends beyond the previous limitation period.In Martin v. Goodrich Corp., No. 23-2343, the court will consider the following questions certified by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid of the Central District of Illinois:•Whether 820 ILCS 310/1(f) is the …

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