Court Reinstates Benefits for Worker With Shoulder Injury

The Illinois Appellate Court reinstated a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission awarding benefits to a worker for his shoulder injury. Case: Smithfield Foods Inc. v. Workers’ Compensation Commission, No. 2-23-0104WC, 01/05/2024, unpublished. Facts: Alfredo Garcia worked for Smithfield Foods Inc. at a meat processing plant. His daily duties included placing augers into meat grinders. The augers did not always slide in smoothly. He described the process as "smacking [the auger] in, bringing it out, smacking it in, bringing it out." Garcia testified that h...