Illinois construction unions sue opioid manufacturers, distributors, prescribers
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two unions are the first in Illinois to sue the manufacturers, distributors and prescribers of powerful opioid painkillers.
The building boom in downtown Chicago has been keeping the trades busy, but construction jobs are tough and come with a physical cost.
"Any time you are up in the air, whether it's a high rise building, or lifting big materials, there is always a chance for injury," said Gary Perinar, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.
Injuries have led to opioid addictions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, construction workers have the highest rate of opioid-related overdoses compared to any other occupation in the country. The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters lost two of its members in the last couple months. Perinar, who heads the union, said the problems are also costing their union health fund millions of dollars as more and more carpenters struggle with opioid addictions.
Read more: https://abc7chicago.com/5124608/