Article ID: ef92500d7511a3bc3d44b4861b109d7f9306ebe93f54be0a2cdb48c3d4f114f5
Source ID: secondary:businessinsurance.com
Published At: -
Extraction Method: bs4_heuristic
Body Text
Ohio court upholds safety violation comp award against Whirlpool - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Ohio court upholds safety violation comp award against Whirlpool by Louise Esola Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Apr 2, 2026 The Supreme Court of Ohio on Tuesday affirmed a finding that Whirlpool Corp. violated a specific safety requirement in a workplace injury involving a conveyor crossing, rejecting the company’s bid to overturn an additional workers compensation award as allowed by law when an injury is the result of a safety violation. In State ex rel. Whirlpool Corp. v. Rice , 2026-Ohio-1094 , the court held that the Industrial Commission of Ohio did not abuse its discretion in concluding that the employer failed to provide required guard railings at a conveyor crossing where a maintenance worker was injured. The case stems from a 2017 incident in which a maintenance technician tripped while crossing a conveyor belt and fell about 28 inches, sustaining injuries that ultimately led to the amputation of his leg above the knee. The commission found that the crossing lacked a “fixed platform equipped with standard guard railing,” as required under Ohio administrative code, and that the absence of railings was the proximate cause of the injury. The court agreed, finding there was “some evidence” supporting the commission’s factual determinations, including that employees were required to cross the conveyor at that location and that guardrails could have prevented the fall. Whirlpool argued that the rule did not apply because the worker was not specifically directed to cross at that point and that the ladder steps adjacent to the conveyor were not “platforms” under the regulation. The court rejected those arguments, holding that the rule applies when crossing is necessary to perform assigned work and that the ladder-top areas functioned as working platforms. The company also raised an impossibility defense, contending that installing compliant guardrails would have interfered with conveyor operations due to low ceiling clearance. The court disagreed, noting that Whirlpool later installed railings at the site, demonstrating that compliance — or at least alternative protective measures — was feasible. The ruling leaves intact a VSSR award equal to 50% of the maximum weekly compensation rate. Related News Trucordia names former Venbrook exec SVP April 2, 2026 Liberty Mutual adjusts leadership structure April 2, 2026 Talanx raises $1.1B in dual bond deal April 2, 2026 Middle East firms rush for war cover April 2, 2026 Reinsurance demand rises 10%, Asia rates fall up to 20%: Aon April 2, 2026 Insurers win right to appeal $1B AerCap jet claim April 2, 2026 Insurers hit by freight, material cost surge April 2, 2026 Cat bond issuances hits $6.7B April 2, 2026 Zenkyoren secures $100M earthquake cover April 2, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. Never miss important news: Become a Business Insurance Online subscriber today Subscribe Now Information About Us Contact Advertise Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Copyright 2026. BUSINESS INSURANCE HOLDINGS Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
Metadata (JSON)
{
"score": 13.366666666666667
}