Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the Department of Labor’s recent announcement of the launch of its “Expedited Case Processing Pilot” process in its Western region, which allows a complainant covered by certain statutes to ask OSHA to cease its investigation and issue findings for the DOL’s Office of Administrative Law Judges to consider.
Cases must meets certain criteria for the option to be possible. ALJs may order the same remedies as OSHA, including back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages where authorized, attorneys’ fees and reinstatement. The DOL noted that the goal is to deliver speedier resolution for whistleblowers and their employers regarding claims of retaliation for reporting safety and other concerns.
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